A data center is a large group of networked computer servers typically used by organizations for the remote storage, processing, or distribution of large amounts of data. Commonly, data centers are run by large companies or government agencies. However, they are also increasingly used to provide a fast-growing cloud solution service for private and business applications. Does your company use a data center?
According to Palo Alto Networks, data center architectures and requirements can differ significantly. For example, a center built for a cloud service provider like Amazon EC2 satisfies significantly different facility, infrastructural, and security requirements than a completely private data center, such as one built for the Pentagon that is dedicated to securely maintaining classified data. Does your data center provide these services and technology? Here are some elements of an effective data center.
- Facility – The amount of whitespace or usable space that allows access to information makes them high energy consuming facilities. Computers get hot and need adequate ventilation, cooling and protection. Environmental controls should keep the center within specified humidity and temperature requirements.
- High Grade IT Equipment – Look around a data center and you should see high quality hardware, cables, servers and racks. There should also be several levels of security, such as software and hardware security – a must to protect your remote storage items.
- Support Infrastructure – According to Palo Alto Networks, equipment should contribute to securely sustaining the highest level of availability possible. The Uptime Institute defined four tiers data centers can fall under with availability ranging from 99.671% – 99.995%. Some components for supporting infrastructure include: uninterruptible power sources (UPS) – battery banks, generators, and redundant power sources, Environmental control – computer room air conditioners (CRAC), heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and exhaust systems, Physical security systems – biometrics and video surveillance systems
- Operating Staff – Data centers should have IT professionals monitoring the center for issues and glitches continuously.
Categorised in: Computer Support, data management