What Is a Data Center? (Datacenter Definition) GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking
What Is a Data Center?
Definition of a Data Center
By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on January 26, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Home Networking The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless A data center, sometimes spelled as datacenter (one word), is the name given to a facility that contains a large number of computer servers and related equipment. Think of a data center as a "computer room" that outgrew its walls. They can store any kind of data, be it emails for a company's users, financial records, website data, etc. Lifewire / Marina Li What Are Data Centers Used For
Some online services are so large they can't be run from one or two servers. Instead, they need thousands or millions of connected computers to store and process all the data required to make those services work. For example, online backup companies require one or more data centers so they can house the many-thousands of hard drives they need to store their customers' combined hundreds of petabytes or more of data they need to keep stored away from their computers. Some data centers are shared, meaning that a single physical data center might serve two, 10, or 1,000 or more companies and their computer processing needs. Other data centers are dedicated, meaning the entirety of the computational power in the building is being used solely for a single company. Large companies like Google, Facebook, and Amazon each need several, super-sized data centers around the world to accomplish the needs of their individual businesses. Smaller companies can pay for part of that space, too, so their data is protected as well. Depending on a company's needs, it most likely pays off in the long run to have the reliability, security, and protection that a data center can offer. The alternative is to weigh the cost savings and security you might lose if you set up a local solution. Data Center Security
Data you store "online" is actually saved on a server or data center somewhere. For you, security just means having a strong password. From the perspective of the data center operators, security looks a little different. In addition to things you'd expect a data center to have, like firewalls and intrusion detection systems, they must also employ physical security measures to protect the machines housing the data. This might include: Cameras, guards, and physical access restrictions.Temperature control to manage overheating.Fire protection, either via sprinklers or chemical suppression. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire What Is Microsoft Azure? What Is Data Mining? Are iPads Really That Safe from Viruses and Malware? 21 Best Cloud Backup Services Reviewed (October 2022) What Is a Data Sanitization Method? (Data Wipe Methods) What Is a Mirror Image Backup? What Is a Hard Disk Drive? The 5 Best Secure Email Services for 2022 How to Password Protect a Folder Applications of Green Technology How to Encrypt Data on an Android or iOS Device Online Backup FAQ What Is Network Encryption? What Is File Storage Encryption? How to Manage AutoComplete in Internet Explorer 11 Kaspersky Review: Nearly Perfect Protection Against All Manner of Threats Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies