What is a data center?

In a data centre, all technical components needed to operate a powerful computer network are housed. The professional environment allows for the efficient and secure operation of a company's entire IT infrastructure. Data centres also play an important role for the internet.

Equipment and Organisation of a Data Centre
IT Equipment
Personnel
Infrastructure Components
Certification of Data Centres
Data Centres and the Environment

Websites and online services must be accessible on the internet 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. An outage, also known as downtime in the industry, is the worst-case scenario for webmasters. If their website is not accessible, the service offered to their customers is no longer available, no sales can be made, and the website owner loses money. To minimise the risk of an outage and ensure that the website is always online, servers are used in a data centre. In the professional environment of a data centre, the physical hardware can be integrated into an ideal technical infrastructure. Websites, online shops, or other internet services can then be installed on the servers. The primary task of a data centre is to centralise the data processing and IT services of a company for better organisation. The fact that all hardware components are consolidated in one place makes it easier for IT specialists to manage the servers and the applications installed on them.

Equipment and Organisation of a Data Centre

Various areas are crucial for the optimal operation of the technical infrastructure of a data centre. In addition to the actual IT technology and high-speed internet connection, environmental control systems, power supply, and security measures also play an important role. Only when all areas work effectively together can the hardware be kept running and the websites always available online.

IT Equipment

The most important area is, of course, the IT equipment itself. This term refers to all the equipment needed to operate the network and store data. The IT equipment can be divided into four separate areas:

• Server hardware

Server hardware includes all the technical components that are directly built into individual computers. This usually consists of powerful CPUs, fast memory, and large hard drives mounted on stable motherboards.

• Active network components

Active network components are devices that have their own power source and are required for the operation of the network. This includes devices such as routers, switches, firewalls, or other controllers.

• Passive network components

Passive network components include all the materials needed for the operation of the network but do not have their own power source. Typical examples include cabling, plugs and sockets, and other passive components.

• Module carriers

Module carriers are the metal mounting devices in which the server hardware and network components are secured. Data centres use 19-inch rack-mounted enclosures for this purpose. These racks, due to their internationally standardised size, are compatible with all modules.

Personnel

Despite the high level of automation in modern technology, a data centre cannot function without human personnel. Their task is to monitor the operation of servers, networks, and the entire infrastructure in order to intervene promptly in case of any issues. Organisational tasks are divided into two areas:

• System engineering

System engineering is responsible for electrical tasks such as cabling individual components, replacing and repairing faulty hardware, and the technical installation of devices.

• System administration

System administration is responsible for the administration and software configuration of systems. System administrators monitor the operation of systems and take care of software installation and configuration. They are also responsible for data security and data protection in the data centre.

Infrastructure Components

In addition to IT technology and personnel, the infrastructure of the data centre itself plays an important role. This is influenced by the structural measures and technical equipment of the building. The following areas contribute to smooth operation:

• Environmental Control Systems

Due to the large number of servers generating significant heat, environmental control systems must be used to maintain an ideal temperature in the data centre. Typically, an advanced system with air conditioning, turbo chillers, and rooftop coolers is used. An efficient cooling cycle can also be achieved through architectural measures. A commonly used option is the raised floor construction. This offers the data centre operator two advantages. Firstly, it simplifies the wiring of hardware, and secondly, the space under the floor is used as a channel for better air circulation. Another option is the so-called cold aisle containment. This involves a strict separation between warm air and cold air areas to make the cooling of the individual aisles between the racks more efficient.

• Power Supply

Since all electronic devices must always be supplied with power, uninterrupted power supply is essential for a data centre. An initial measure is to have redundant power connections, ideally supplied by two different energy providers. In case of short power outages, a battery is available, and in the event of prolonged power outages, a dedicated diesel generator takes over the entire power supply for the data centre.

• Security Technology

For security reasons, access to the data centre is only granted to authorised personnel. Access restrictions via keycards or fingerprint scanners ensure controlled entry. All data centres are also equipped with state-of-the-art video surveillance so that the staff can have an overview of the facility at all times. Special fire protection systems with extinguishing gases protect equipment and individuals in the event of a fire.
 

Certification of Data Centres

As a guide for potential customers, there are official certifications that assess and evaluate the infrastructure and performance of a data centre. In the US market, certification is carried out by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) in conjunction with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Data centres are evaluated based on a 4-tier rating scale across various criteria. In Germany, there are different certification bodies. A prominent example is the Technical Inspection Association (TÜV). Certification is also carried out through the Datacenter Star Audit (DCSA), a project of eco - Association of the German Internet Industry. A quality seal provides interested customers with information about the quality and infrastructure of a data centre. The criteria areas of Building, Technology, Processes, and Personnel are assessed on a 5-tier rating scale. While Tier 1 only ensures basic air conditioning and power supply, as well as a data centre availability of 99.2% per year, Tier 5 ensures redundant air conditioning and power supply, as well as a data centre availability of 99.99% per year.

Data Centres and the Environment

Due to the high energy requirements of data centres, IT equipment and infrastructure contribute to high electricity consumption. Many operators therefore implement special measures within "green data centres" to operate the facility as environmentally friendly as possible and reduce the generated carbon footprint. The following options are available:

• Modern hardware with smart technology

Using energy-efficient, intelligent hardware that autonomously regulates power consumption based on demand.

• Green power

Utilising electricity from renewable sources such as wind, water, or solar energy.

• Compliance with certifications

Green IT certifications ensure environmentally friendly and resource-efficient use of IT facilities.

Data centres are now an integral part of modern life. They provide the necessary infrastructure to meet the demands of billions of people for communication, entertainment, and news. The technical requirements are constantly growing. With more users, a larger offering, and a desire for higher quality and speed, data centre operators are forced to continually develop and improve their own infrastructures and networks. This requires increasing performance while also considering environmental responsibility through effective resource utilisation.

Although as a customer you are unlikely to ever enter a hosting provider's data centre yourself, it is important to understand the significance of the technical infrastructure in the background. Therefore, the right balance of performance, service, and environmental friendliness regarding the data centre used should be considered when choosing the appropriate hosting provider.