If you’re a medium to large enterprise, or a business with dreams of expanding, you might be considering using additional locations to make room for your data processes and IT infrastructure.
As businesses grow, managing data efficiently becomes crucial. Many companies struggle with scaling their IT infrastructure, and that’s where data centre services come into play. This is especially the case if your company relies on extensive data storage, processing, and an abundance of website applications to function.
If you’re considering outsourcing to a data centre, you’ll likely have many questions regarding these sought-after operations. Fortunately for you, the experts at M247 have dedicated an entire blog to inform you about everything to do with data centres.
Read on to find out what is a data centre, what they are used for, and the advantages of using one.
If you’d like to hire M247 for colocation hosting, we’ll be happy to help – just make your enquiry here.
So…what is a data centre?
A data centre is a physical room, building, or other premises that houses and centralises extensive IT infrastructure. This is so the business that owns this infrastructure can store, analyse, and distribute large amounts of data.
Medium-large sized businesses are dependent on the existence of data centres to ensure the delivery of their day-to-day services.
The history of a data centre
The need for data centres began in the 1940s – but back then, computers required a special environment to operate. What’s more, they were much bigger than the computers we know today – so required ample space. In fact, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was the world’s first all-purpose computer – taking up 1,800 sq ft of space.
Today, computers are much smaller (the smallest known computer is 0.3mm long) but the demand for data storage is much higher – which is why data centres are being used by large enterprises more and more.
What are the main components of a data centre?
A data centre has several different components, all of which are necessary to ensure it provides an optimal environment for housing IT infrastructure, and hosting data services.
These components include:
Servers and storage systems
Data centres are home to several different types of storage systems. For example, they host virtual servers (a server that has a dedicated, divided space within a physical server), so companies can access even more space if they expand. A single physical server is used to host multiple virtual servers – helping the business have increased efficiency. Data centres will likely have their own software management systems, so they can monitor the performance of these servers on a daily basis.
Networking
Data centres need to have access to high-speed networks to ensure data can be transferred rapidly without any issues. They’ll likely utilise security measures – like data backup, or using a VPN, to ensure that this networking is encrypted and safe from prying eyes. To ensure such efficiency, data centres need high-bandwidth connections. The requirements of such can vary from several gigabits per second to terabits per second – depending on the size of the data centre.
Environmental controls
Data centres also use a number of environmental controls to prevent harm occurring from having large amounts of IT infrastructure in one place, but also to avoid the hardware from being damaged. To prevent either problems occurring, data centres utilise several cooling systems to keep servers and other equipment operating at the recommended temperature ranges. For example, they might be used as air conditioning units. They also contain equipment that monitors static electricity, so it can be discharged safely and avoid shocks to data centre workers.
What is a data centre used for?
Data centres offer more than just data storage—they’re the backbone of modern businesses’ IT operations. Data, storing and processing dominates the delivery of many businesses’ services and operations.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways a business can use a data centre:
Data storage
One way businesses use data centres is for data storage purposes. As a result of the internet making it easier for people to provide information, businesses now have access to more data than ever before. Meaning, there is a lot of data on their clients and customers that needs to be stored securely, and in an organised fashion. Using a data centre gives businesses the security and capabilities they need to store data safely and in line with government regulations.
Processing and calculations
Another reason why many businesses utilise data centres is because of their ability to process and calculate data quickly and securely. For example, servers can retrieve and process data from a webpage instantaneously, and also update existing page content with newly retrieved information. This level of automation can help quicken the operations of a business and have it perform to optimal efficacy.
Supplying multimedia content
For businesses that rely on distributing multimedia content across multiple channels, data centres can be a great way of achieving this. The resources of a data centre – i.e. multiple servers, mean that supplying different varieties of content can be done at a quicker speed than when hosted in-house with limited servers. Data centres also benefit from an uninterruptible power supply – and even back-up power should any power issue arise.
Website and application hosting
Data centres also help online businesses, who rely on websites, blogs, and other e-commerce platforms like Wix and Shopify to sell their products and services. Thanks to the high-speed internet connections of a data centre, a business that employs one can benefit from fast website load times and a more positive user experience – all of which can increase loyalty within their customers.
Different types of data centres
Not only are there many ways to use a data centre, there’s also several different data centre types available depending on the needs of a business.
Let’s explore some data centre types below:
Cloud data centres
A cloud data centre is not a data centre that is located physically on a business’s premises – as the name suggests, it’s kept on a cloud virtually, and can be accessed through the internet. Instead of the cloud data centre being managed by the organisation itself, it is leased by an external third party. The third party is responsible for maintenance and meeting service level agreements for the infrastructure that is under their direct control.
Data centres with managed services
Data centres with managed services are ideal for those businesses that lack space, time, and experience required to manage all elements of data processing. They allow businesses to focus on their own operations. Meanwhile, the centre takes care of the IT infrastructure that the business needs to function effectively. It typically works by a client leasing a dedicated server – which they are able to access, whilst the managed data centre controls the administrative, monitoring and management duties of this infrastructure.
Web hosting data centres
Web hosting data centres are ideal for e-commerce businesses. These types of data centres supply hosting services for websites and other online applications. Because of the nature of a data centre, the websites of these businesses will have access to high speed internet connections, as well as a higher degree of reliability than they would host in-house with minimal servers.
Mobile data centres
Unlike other standard data centres, mobile data centres are located on vehicles, specifically for emergency and temporary situations which require additional IT devices, such as generator power. They’re useful as they can be rapidly sent to certain locations where they can supply temporary connectivity and IT services. They can be used by a range of companies and institutions, such as universities that need extra equipment to support research and development.
Colocation data centres
Colocation data centres are premises where businesses can rent space from a third-party, to use for servers and other IT equipment. It means these businesses don’t have to spend time and money building their own location to house this infrastructure. Nor do they have to employ staff to monitor and maintain it.
How do businesses benefit from using data centres?
There are several advantages that come with using data centre services. For example, you can benefit from:
Added security
As technology has advanced over the last century, the need for better cyber security has increased too. Especially with the increase in legislation regarding data protection and how businesses must comply.
However, with a data centre, big corporations can spend less time worrying about this. This is because data centres use advanced network security technologies, such as firewalls, intrusion detection, and prevention systems, as well as VPNs to ensure unauthorised users cannot access this data. This level of security and protection might be more difficult for a big enterprise to manage in-house, without hiring a dedicated team and assigning a lot of time to the project.
Cost-effective solutions
Using colocation data centres can be a cost-effective solution for businesses. This is because these data centres share the costs associated with its operation with the other tenants. For example, you might split the cost of:
- Power
- Bandwidth
- Cooling
- Communications
- Security
These shared costs reduce overhead operational costs for a company, so could even increase the profit margin of a business.
Increased scalability
Businesses can also benefit from the flexible scalability that data centre services provide. If they need to add more servers, upgrade their hardware, or virtualise more services, using one or more data centres can help a company do so.
For example, businesses can add more computers or servers in the data centre they’re using to meet increased demand. And, if the business demand decreases, the data centre can scale back, too.
Data centres: FAQs
How many data centres are there in the UK?
When it comes to confirming how many data centres there are in the UK, it’s hard to draw an exact number because many sources report a different quantity. This is mostly because many data centres like to maintain a level of privacy.
According to the publication Wired, there are approximately 300-500 data centres in the UK, with most being located in and around London. Interestingly enough, the BBC reports that there are actually 34 data centres located in Slough – making it Europe’s largest collection of data centres.
What is data centre management?
Put simply, data centre management is the operation of overseeing, maintaining, and upholding the processes that come with data centre services.
The role of a data centre manager could involve:
- Checking and implementing security systems
- Planning and executing backup methodology
- Managing connections with external parties
- Providing technical support and other urgent services
Discover how your company can benefit from data centres
Now you’ve discovered the down-low on data centres, you might be considering using them for your own company. But how do you get started? Well, if you’re looking to rent a space in a data centre for your IT facilities, you can turn to M247.
At M247, we have our very own global colocation service, with several facilities located around the world. All of our clients benefit from 24/7 support – meaning that if an issue should occur, our expert team is already working on a solution for you.
Ready to scale your IT infrastructure with secure, flexible data centres? Contact M247 today to discuss our global colocation services and how we can support your business growth.
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