WHAT IS A DATA CENTER?
The Oxford dictionary defines a data center as a collection of interconnected computer servers that organizations use to store, process, or distribute large amounts of data remotely. During the dot-com bubble period of 1997 to 2000, there was significant growth in the data center industry. Companies sought fast internet connectivity and uninterrupted operations to implement systems and establish an online presence. Building such infrastructure was not feasible for smaller companies, leading organizations to construct massive facilities known as Internet data centers (IDCs).
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO US IN OUR DAILY LIFE?
We are familiar with the terms IT and infrastructure, and we regularly use the internet for activities such as streaming videos and using social media. The Covid-19 pandemic led to a rapid increase in digitalization, as companies shifted to remote work, distance learning became essential, and there was a worldwide rise in video streaming and online entertainment. Data centers are even necessary to support online gaming communities. All these prevalent online services are processed in data centers, which could be considered as the underlying and unseen infrastructure.
WHAT DOES A DATA CENTER LOOK LIKE AND WHAT DO THEY DO FOR US?
Data centers are facilities, consisting of one building or multiple buildings, that are used to store and operate computer systems known as servers. In addition to supporting business operations, data centers also play a crucial role in our personal lives by handling data backup and recovery, networking, and other important functions. Websites we visit daily, emails we send and receive, and instant messaging platforms are all hosted and processed within data centers. As a result, they are essential for organizations across the globe.
Simply put, a data center is a central site where computing and networking equipment is housed to continuously collect, store, process, distribute, or provide access to massive amounts of data. An example of a data center in action can be seen by examining Google’s data center.
We have become so accustomed to living our lives online that we tend to overlook the fact that every action we take on the internet, such as sending messages, posting photos on Instagram, or watching movies, has an ecological toll. This cost is not just the monthly phone and internet bills or the video and movie streaming subscriptions, but the significant environmental impact of our data usage. My colleague recently wrote about how technology is addressing this issue, which is available to read on our blog.
WHAT DEFINES A MODERN DATA CENTER?
Contemporary data centers have undergone a significant transformation in recent times. The IT infrastructure has shifted from traditional on-premises physical servers to virtual networks that enable applications and workloads to operate across pools of physical resources and in a multi-cloud environment. Although many organizations still maintain server rooms on their premises, they are mostly used for backup purposes.
Data is spread across multiple data centers, the edge, and public and private clouds, and the data center must have the capability to exchange information across these various locations, both on-premises and in the cloud.
The term “cloud” has become increasingly common, but what does it really mean to say “my pictures are saved on the cloud” or “my business uses the cloud”? Essentially, it means that servers are accessed through the internet, as well as the software and databases running on those servers. Later in this blog, I will delve deeper into the different types of data centers. Why are data centers important to businesses? In the realm of enterprise IT, data centers are constructed to provide support for the business applications and operations that keep a company running smoothly on a daily basis. Some of the functions that require a data center include:
1. Email and file sharing
2. Productivity applications
3. Customer relationship management (CRM)
4. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) and databases
5. Big data, artificial intelligence, and machine learning
6. Virtual desktops, communications, and collaboration services
WHAT ARE THE CORE COMPONENTS OF A DATA CENTER?
When thinking about data centers, the first component that comes to mind for many people is power, as without it a data center cannot function. In this discussion, I will briefly cover some of the other crucial components that make up a data center.
When creating a data center, the design includes IT hardware such as routers, switches, firewalls, storage systems, and servers. These components work together to provide:
1. Network infrastructure. This links servers, data center services, storage, and external connectivity to the desired location.
2. Storage infrastructure. Data centers require storage systems to store the important data that is crucial for their operation. Storage infrastructure in IT refers to the combination of hardware and software necessary to support storage for a system.
3. Computer resources. Data centers rely on applications to function, as they act as the driving force behind the data center. Applications are the engines of the data center, and they provide processing, RAM, local storage, and network connectivity needed to run the data center. To give you a better understanding, you can watch a video of the inside of a popular rack server such as the HPE ProLiant DL380 Gen8, which can be considered the “brain” of a data center.
HOW DOES A DATA CENTER WORK?
The network connection is crucial in data centers. Similar to how two computers are linked on a local network, web browsers receive information from internet servers through network connections. The data stored on a data center server is divided into packets before being transmitted and sent through routers that determine the optimal route for the data to travel.
The data center employs a combination of wired and wireless networks to transport information from the server to the user’s computer via their internet service provider. When a user accesses a website, their browser sends a request for information to the server, while uploading information involves the reverse process.
In short, a server is a type of computer designed for sharing data within a local network and over the internet. It consists of hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) that store data, which can be accessed and shared by other computers within the network and by users visiting websites through the internet.
Did you know that the location of a data center is just as crucial as it is in real estate? It is advisable to place a data center in an area that is protected from natural disasters. Though this is not always feasible, having a contingency plan in place and choosing a secure location, such as a room away from windows and flood-prone areas, is vital.
Did you know that the location of a data center is just as crucial as it is in real estate? It is advisable to place a data center in an area that is protected from natural disasters. Though this is not always feasible, having a contingency plan in place and choosing a secure location, such as a room away from windows and flood-prone areas, is vital.
WHAT ARE THE CATEGORIES OF DATA CENTERS?
What are the main types of data centers suited for different business models? In this blog, we have focused on four main types of data centers and their respective service models.
1. Colocation data centers. A colocation data center commonly referred to as “colo,” is a third-party company that rents out space within a data center not owned by the company. These facilities are sometimes referred to as “Carrier Hotels.”
2. Enterprise Data Centers. An enterprise data center is a privately owned and operated facility that is designed to meet the needs of a single organization. It can be either located on the organization’s property or off-site, but its primary purpose is to offer optimized services to the organization’s clients.
3. Managed services data centers. Cloud data centers are run by a third party or a managed services provider rather than the company itself. The company rents IT equipment and infrastructure as a cost-saving measure.
4. Cloud data centers. This blog has hopefully provided you with information on the purpose, various types, and significance of data centers. If you have any further inquiries regarding data center components, it is suggested that you explore the rest of the blog for in-depth information on various data center devices, services, and eco-friendly IT solutions suitable for organizations today.
Looking to maximize your IT budget or learn about your data center options? Our experienced team has been providing support to organizations since 2005. Check out our selection of new and refurbished servers, storage, and networking equipment, laptops, and desktops online. We also offer services such as co-location and IT rentals. If you’re not sure where to begin, contact our friendly IT specialists for personalized advice based on your business needs.