What is a Data Center?

As we live more and more of our lives online and exchange of digital information is becoming more important to keep businesses running. This digital exchange requires massive computing and networking equipment that is located in a central physical space known as a datacenter.

A data center is an special computer room that houses the computing and storage equipment needed by a company. The essential elements of a data center include servers, which house the processing power that turns raw data into useful information and storage devices that store this data on hard-disk drives or robotic tape. Additionally, a data center relies on communication and networking equipment like routers, switches and endless miles of cables that aid in the flow of information between servers.

In the 1990s, when IT operations grew and companies began to adopt inexpensive networking equipment to house their networking equipment in a central location, the term “data center’ was first used. Nowadays, businesses can opt to create their own data centers on their own premises, or work with third-party service providers who offer colocation, managed and cloud services. Third-party options usually offer an energy-efficient and cost-effective alternative to data centers built on premises.

Many of these https://acplc.net/ third-party options also offer more flexibility when it comes to the management of policies. For instance a data center can provide multiple policy environments in one location and allow IT to limit the workload of data by having distinct policies that satisfy the requirements for compliance across all geographies and business units. This can dramatically reduce security risks and boost overall information governance.