What is a Data Center?

As we spend more time online, the exchange and sharing of digital information is becoming more essential to keep businesses running. Digital exchanges require massive 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 contains the computing and storage equipment of a business. The main components of a data center include servers, which house the processing power needed to transform raw data into usable information and storage devices that store this information on hard-disk drives or robotic tape. Additionally, a data center relies on networking and communication equipment such as switches, routers, and endless miles of cables that aid in the flow of information between servers.

In the 1990s, as IT operations increased and companies began to utilize low-cost networking equipment to house their networking equipment in a central location, the term “data center” was first used. Businesses can build their own data center on their premises or contract with a third-party provider check it out acplc.net/importance-of-data-centres/ of data center services that offer managed and colocation. Third-party options are typically more energy efficient and economical alternative to facilities on premises.

Many of these options from third parties also provide greater flexibility around policy management. For example, a data center can offer multiple policy environments in a single location and allow IT to limit data workloads with distinct policies that meet the requirements for compliance across all geographies and business units. This can dramatically reduce security risks and enhance overall information governance.