In this age of technology, computers and data management have become critical components of successful businesses, and in most cases, these functions are centralized in a data center. The specifics and architecture vary by organization, but in simplest terms, a data center is a dedicated location or facility specifically designed to house the computers, servers and other equipment the company needs for the safe storage, management and distribution of data. This center is typically a vital component to the daily function of the company because if the data systems go down, the company can’t do business. This is why it’s critical for a data center to be properly designed, equipped and maintained to ensure as little “downtime” as possible.
Elements every data center needs
Each data center is tailored a bit differently to meet the needs of the specific business or organization it serves, but generally speaking, there are several essential elements every data center needs:
- The facility itself. The space occupied by the data center must be designed to be open, clean, environmentally controlled, and sufficiently powered in order to keep the equipment running efficiently.
- The IT equipment. This is effectively the “brains” and connections of data management: the servers, data storage hardware, racks, cabling and data security systems.
- Support systems. These are the vital accessories required to keep the servers and connections operating efficiently with the highest possible uptime. The support infrastructure for the data center includes uninterruptible power sources(UPS), which includes redundant power supplies, backup batteries/generators, etc.; monitoring systems to ensure efficiency and provide early warning against failures; adequate air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC); and various cooling equipment and accessories to help keep the IT equipment from overheating.
- IT staff. Every data center requires monitoring and maintenance by human technicians. Depending on the size of the company and its data center, IT maintenance can be covered by one individual or a whole, dedicated, full-time staff.
As you can see, a safe, reliable data center requires a lot of working parts, and quality equipment and design solutions are both critical to its success. For customized data center solutions for your business, contact Data Center Resources today.
