What is a Data Center?

As we spend more time online, the exchange and sharing of data via the internet is becoming more crucial to keep businesses running. Digital exchange requires huge computing and networking equipment that is located in a central physical space known as a data center.

A data center is a specialist computer room that houses the computing and storage equipment for a company. The primary elements of a Data Center include servers, that house the processing power needed to transform raw data into usable information, and storage devices that store the information on hard disk drives or robotic tape. In addition, a data center relies on networking and communication equipment such as switches, routers and miles of cables that facilitate the transfer of information between servers.

The term „data center” was first employed in the early 1990s, as IT operations expanded and inexpensive networking equipment enabled businesses to house all their networking equipment within one central space. Nowadays, companies can choose to construct their own data centres on their own premises or work with third-party service providers that offer cloud, managed and colocation services. Third-party options are often more efficient in terms of energy and cost. They are also a cheaper alternative to facilities on premises.

Many of these third party options also offer greater flexibility with respect to policy management. A data center, for example offers multiple policy environments at a single location. This allows IT to manage data-related workloads by setting distinct policies that satisfy compliance requirements across geographies and organizations. This can types of data centers help reduce security risks and enhance the information governance.