What is a Data Centre? Choosing a Data Centre for Your IT Needs.
A data centre is a centralised physical facility that stores businesses’ critical applications and data. It is a secure facility that houses IT infrastructure, such as networked computers and data storage. Within one, you’ll find servers, storage systems, and other components that make up a large IT network. See it as a bigger version of the servers, systems, and infrastructure you may already have in your office.
The components and infrastructure of a data centre are designed specifically for non-stop operation. Due to the high volume of computers, servers, and networks in the facility, the demand for supporting infrastructure is large.
It often houses data for multiple companies, so they need to be secure. With correct infrastructure management and security measures, their digital technology supports many businesses. There is extensive CCTV and security around the facility to protect operations.
What is a data centre used for?
A data centre is a place for processing data and data storage, such as company files or providing an entire IT infrastructure. Cloud-based services are all based in data centres – cloud storage, SaaS (Software as a Service), web hosting software, or IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service).
With the help of data centres, many companies are moving their IT network to the cloud service which provides cloud security and advantages for networks. This also means companies can reduce their spending on computing infrastructure and equipment. With the management of company data, the need for regular hardware refreshes is minimised. It also means that your cyber security can be protected, with the latest network security updates and management of servers.
What storage and components does a data centre require?
The core components of a data centre include routers, firewalls, storage systems, services, and application-delivery controllers. Due to components storing and managing critical business data and applications, security is vital in the initial design, which includes next-generation firewalls.
Data storage technology consists of hard disk drives (HHD), solid-state drives (SSD), and tape storage. As the future of storage technology develops, the importance of SSDs will increase. Data centres require extensive cooling systems to handle the large amount of data they store.
Do businesses need data centre resources?
Most businesses don’t require their own data centre – they are costly to build and maintain. For most companies, their IT infrastructure isn’t big enough for one all of their own. However, many businesses will use parts of a data centre, its resources, storage capacity, and security. Benefits for using one include:
Focusing on consumer objectives.
The use of a data centre allows a business to focus on their customers and the objectives of their business, without dealing with technological maintenance.
Protecting power.
Outsourcing data control reduces the impact of a power disaster or failure. Natural power outages cause havoc for organisations supplying their own power and sometimes they result in data loss. Data centres are more secure than traditional data storage methods. The risks associated with data loss are intensifying and a data centre provides a reliable storage option.
Cutting costs.
Data centres usually charge a monthly fee based on usage, which is flexible to suit the growth of your business. By using a data centre, businesses can make use of superior IT infrastructure, regular maintenance, and managed data, whilst keeping costs down.
How can data centres support business IT infrastructure?
Data centres are used by businesses in a variety of ways, from hosting their entire IT network to supporting one specific element of it. It is vast compared to the technical needs of many businesses.
Each business has their own unique needs and requirements for their IT infrastructure, to support their goals. There are several benefits for businesses using a data centre for its networks, IT security, and data management. You won’t have to worry about power outages at your place of work and handling storage issues, as a data centre takes care of this.
What is the difference between the cloud and a data centre?
When you use a cloud-based service, it requires hardware to function. All the data in the cloud is often stored in a data centre. Many services you use, use data centres from social networks to Microsoft Teams.
Cloud providers maintain large data centres with full compliance and security. You can access this infrastructure by using different services, giving you flexibility in usage, storage, and payment. Many data centres provide the necessary infrastructure and support for cloud services, meaning users can access and use applications and data from anywhere with an internet connection.
Does it matter where a data centre is regarding your IT infrastructure and networks?
Your business data is stored somewhere physically in a data centre, so does it matter where it is located? The laws surrounding data protection and compliance with regulations differ around the world. It’s recommended to store your data in a location you and your business are comfortable with, regarding their data laws. For many companies, they prefer to store their data in one based in the same country as their business operates.
Many businesses will choose to store their data close to their geographic business location. You can’t always choose which data centre your social media is stored. Companies such as Microsoft will provide email services from a legally compliant centre, but it may not be geographically close to your business.
How much does a data centre cost?
Most businesses don’t build or own a data centre due to the cost. That is why they use another company for its cloud services, IT security, and network management. Costs range based on the services a company requires. Most businesses pay a monthly fee, rather than a large upfront cost.
Cloud technology has the benefit of scaling with usage. You are only billed for what you need as a business, and this can scale automatically depending on your usage of the data centre. As your business grows, so can your IT provision. However, if your business goes through difficult times and you need less services, this can support your business. Traditional data storage and IT infrastructure cannot do this as you pay to own the hardware. The infrastructure of data centres supports cloud computing, security management, and network servers.
If you’d like to find out more about what we do at Acronyms or are looking for some advice on IT support, please contact the team today. We offer a free no-obligation consultation for all your IT needs.
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