Discovering Data Centers: Design, Standards and Services

Data Center

Data Centers are the backbone of modern digital infrastructure. The internet is, in its purest form, a collection of data centers spread across the world. As of March 2024, Statista reports the presence of over 5000 data centers in the US alone¹. On a global scale, over 8,000 data centers are operating across 110 countries as of 2021 ². 

But what makes a data center? How can these miraculous structures support something as vast as the Internet itself? And how can you and I harness their power to build our very own technological marvels?

These and many more questions are the subject of today’s discussion. This article will take you on a tour of modern data center technology. Discover what goes on in those mysterious, futuristic buildings and how human innovation has led to the rise of a new world: the digital world!

What’s Inside a Data Center

You have probably wondered what the inside of a data center looks like. Some of the biggest data centers give the impression of an industrial manufacturing plant from the outside. Other, smaller data centers might just look like regular buildings. But what of the inside?

Let’s explore what you can expect to find when you walk into a data center. Remember that data centers range from simple single-room arrangements to acres-long industrial complexes. Regardless, the core components that make up a data center remain the same. These core components are: 

Server Infrastructure

server Infrastructure

Servers take up the majority of space in a data center. They are the logical processing units that support the websites and applications important to us. Servers use similar components and systems and are not very different from regular desktop personal computers. Core server components include: 

  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • Random Access Memory (RAM)
  • Motherboard
  • Power Supply Unit (PSU)

A data center, however, comprises hundreds, if not thousands of servers. These servers are grouped and mounted in unique configurations that best fit the data center’s infrastructure. Popular server organization form factors include:

Tower Server

These resemble home desktop tower computers with built-in power supplies and cooling systems. Offices and small businesses commonly use tower servers as on-premises servers for lightweight tasks.

Rack Server

Rack servers are a popular form factor common in data centers. In the rack format, servers are placed in the compartments of a rack, which are then connected to the data center infrastructure. A single rack can hold many servers, making rack servers ideal for high-density computing with minimal space use. 

Blade Server

Blade servers are ultra-slim servers mounted into a common chassis. Each server is called a blade, and the chassis provides the cooling, power, and other support features to all the mounted servers. Blade servers emphasize conserving space and are popular in data centers with limited physical space.

Storage Infrastructure

storage infrastructure

Storage infrastructure is another major component of modern data centers. Estimates by Wild Intelligence suggest that 328.77 million terabytes of data were generated daily in 2023³. In fact, most of the data currently available is thought to have been created in just the last two years. All this data we rely on for almost everything today is stored within the storage infrastructure of data centers worldwide. 

Storage infrastructure consists of various storage devices and systems that store and maintain various data types. There are two main types of storage systems used in data centers:

Block Storage Devices

In block storage, data is split evenly into chunks called blocks. Each block can be individually controlled, stored, and retrieved. These blocks are typically managed by a server or application, which reassembles the blocks into files or datasets. Block storage devices enable high-performance and large-scale storage in data centers. Popular block storage devices include: 

  • SAN (Storage Area Network)
  • iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface)
  • NVMe (Non-Volatile Memory Express) block storage

File Storage Devices

Data is saved and organized in file storage as files (like Word documents, videos, or images). It is arranged in a directory structure. When data is accessed, the entire file is retrieved. File storage systems operate at a higher level than block storage. They manage the content of files alongside metadata, permissions, and access controls. Notable file storage systems used in data centers include:

  • NAS (Network Attached Storage)
  • NFS (Network File System)
  • SMB/CIFS (Server Message Block/Common Internet File System)

Network Infrastructure

The network is the most mission-critical component of the data center. It connects all the various resources across the data center. Think of it as the spine that links all the limbs to the brain. A robust network infrastructure ensures that connections maintain low latency and deliver high-speed communications. 

With so much data constantly being requested and flowing between servers and consumer devices, the network is always in use. This means special attention must be given to maintaining and preserving the network. Of course, the discussion would be incomplete without mentioning the various components comprising data center network infrastructure:

Network Infrastructure Layers

Network infrastructure can be divided into three main layers, which handle various parts of communication:

  • The Core Network is the high-capacity backbone that interconnects all devices and systems within the data center. It transfers large amounts of data at high speeds between different data center segments. Core switches are typically high-performance devices capable of processing large amounts of traffic while providing redundancy to prevent network downtime. 
  • The Aggregation Layer aggregates traffic from the access layer and passes it to the core. It is a crucial intermediary layer that ensures optimal data flow from servers and storage devices to the core network. In modern spine-leaf architectures, this layer is often combined with the core to enhance performance and minimize latency. 
  • The Access Layer is where servers, storage systems, and other networked devices physically connect to the network. It provides connectivity for all data center resources and ensures that data flows from the devices to the higher layers for routing or aggregation. 

Load Balancers

Sometimes, high volumes of traffic can strain a server and affect performance. In a multi-server configuration, load balancers can be added to the network to distribute traffic load. This technology helps maintain network performance and reduces the risk of server overload. Load balancers are a staple in data centers, helping them cater to the data demands of the modern age. 

Firewalls and Security Systems

The network is the most vulnerable part of the data center. It is the channel data centers use to connect to the outside world. As such, it is the most convenient avenue for cyber-criminals and threat actors to infiltrate and compromise the data center’s security. Firewalls and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are vital additions to the network infrastructure that keep these threats at bay. 

Support Infrastructure

Support Infrastructure

The support infrastructure maintains data center uptime and facilitates operations. It includes all the critical components for the data center to function. Four of these support infrastructure components are:

Power Supply Systems

Data centers require vast amounts of power to operate. Even small-scale on-premises data centers can consume more power than it takes to run an average household. Given this pressing need for electricity, data centers have multiple power supply systems to ensure minimal downtime and outages. Typical data center power supply infrastructure includes:

  • Primary Power: Usually provided by the local power grid or private power plants. The primary supply powers the data center under normal circumstances.
  • Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS): UPS systems provide short-term backup power.  They keep the data center running during power interruptions and protect sensitive equipment from power surges and voltage spikes.
  • Backup Generators: These are essential in case of prolonged power outages. Generators, often fueled by diesel or natural gas, provide long-term backup power.

Cooling Systems

When servers consume electricity, they generate proportional amounts of heat as well. This heat must be removed from the data center to prevent system overheating and equipment breakdowns. Cooling systems are a pivotal part of the support infrastructure and are responsible for maintaining optimal operating temperatures. These systems include:

  • HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning): Standard cooling technology used to regulate the temperature and airflow in the data center. 
  • Hot/Cold Aisle Containment: In this setup, cold air is directed into the front of servers, and hot air is expelled from the back, where it is directed out of the data center to avoid recirculation.
  • Liquid Cooling: Liquid cooling systems can cool intensive hardware more effectively than traditional air-cooling methods.

Fire Suppression Systems

Data centers are condensed spaces with hundreds of electrical components working at all times. Any one system failing may lead to an electric fire, which can cause millions in damages. To safeguard from this risk, fire suppression systems are a mandatory part of the support infrastructure:

  • Smoke Detectors: Provide early warning of potential fire hazards, allowing administrators to address issues before they escalate.
  • Inert Gas Systems: These systems release inert gases like nitrogen or argon rather than water. These gases displace oxygen and suppress the fire without harming electronics.

Physical Security Systems

While firewalls can protect the data center from virtual attacks, physical security remains a concern. Data centers house incredibly expensive components and hardware. They are valuable targets for thieves and burglars looking to make off with these components and turn a profit by selling them. Just an old-fashioned padlock won’t do. Data center security requires robust solutions like: 

  • Surveillance Cameras: Video surveillance that monitors all facility areas 24/7, with footage stored for future review if needed.
  • Biometric Access Control: Biometric scanners (e.g., fingerprint or retinal scans) to ensure only authorized personnel access the building. 
  • Security Personnel: Trained guards who patrol the data center premises and respond to unauthorized access attempts or suspicious activity.

Data Center Design Standards

Over 25 years ago, the Uptime Institute created international standards for classifying data centers based on the operations they can support. These standards take into account two main aspects of data center design: 

  • Architecture and Network Topology
  • Operational Efficiency and Sustainability

Based on these criteria, data centers can be divided into four tiers:

Tier I

Basic data center infrastructure with no redundancy. It offers minimal protection against outages and requires planned downtime for maintenance.

Tier II

Offers some redundancy, typically with backup components like power and cooling. However, it still requires planned downtime for system maintenance.

Tier III

A Tier III data center offers N+1 redundancy, meaning there is at least one backup for every critical component. It allows maintenance without downtime, ensuring continuous operation even if one component fails.

Tier IV

The highest standard, Tier IV, is fault-tolerant, meaning it can handle equipment failures or unplanned events without affecting operations. These data centers have fully redundant infrastructure, allowing 99.995% uptime.

Data Center Hosting Services

Data Center Hosting Services

Data center hosting services allow anyone to access the vast computing resources without building our own DC. These services essentially shoulder the cost of building and maintaining the infrastructure and charge a fee from anyone using said infrastructure. 

Many of the world’s largest businesses depend on data centers owned by providers like Google and Microsoft to meet computing needs. Hosting has become a major industry in the tech industry. Statista reports that in 2024, revenue in the Web Hosting market is projected to reach US$159.90bn⁴. 

There are three main types of data center hosting services available, each of which offers unique benefits:

Colocation Server Hosting

Some businesses prefer to own their server hardware and components. Their main problem is maintaining the ideal data center environment to run that hardware. 


Colocation hosting services let you rent space inside their data center to house your server. The service provider then charges you a fee for the power and other resources consumed to sustain your server. In this way, you can maintain ownership of your server while saving on data center costs. 

Shared Server Hosting

Shared server hosting services divide physical server resources among multiple tenants. If you need a hosting solution for non-sensitive data, shared hosting can prove a robust choice. 

For sensitive information like financial data, you should avoid shared hosting. Despite the security offered by firewalls, the shared nature of the server introduces big security risks. 

Dedicated Server Hosting

Dedicated server hosting services are among the most popular choices for leveraging data center resources. These services let you lease out servers in a data center. While the server remains the service provider’s property, you retain exclusive rights to use it. Dedicated hosting is the most cost-effective and reliable way to access such resources. 

Some providers also provide managed services, where company professionals entirely manage the server. You can leverage their skills and expertise to configure and operate the server according to your needs. If you need access to a dedicated IT team, managed services are the perfect solution to fill the talent gap. 

Conclusion

Data centers are the foundation of the modern world. They sustain the virtual world and are at the heart of the information age. Whether you require computing resources for yourself or your business, data centers are the answer you’re looking for. 

RedSwitches dedicated hosting services are in a class of their own in this regard. RS dedicated servers offer cutting-edge computing and data center resources at some of the best prices in the market. Not to mention the gold-standard support our expert team of professionals provides around the clock. 

Stay ahead of the curve with RedSwitches, the one-stop solution for your data center needs!

FAQs

Q. What is a data center?

A data center is a facility that houses servers, storage devices, and network infrastructure. Its purpose is storing, processing, and distributing large amounts of data.

Q. What are the main types of servers found in a data center?

Data centers typically contain tower servers, rack servers, and blade servers. Each is organized based on space performance and scalability needs.

Q. How is data stored in a data center?

Data is stored using block storage and file storage systems. Block storage divides data into smaller chunks, while file storage organizes data into directories and files.

Q. What are block storage devices?

Block storage devices store data in blocks which can be individually accessed and managed. Examples include SAN (Storage Area Network) and iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface.)

Q. What are file storage devices?

File storage devices organize data into files and directories. Examples include NAS Network Attached Storage and NFS Network File System.

Q. What is the function of load balancers in data centers?

Load balancers distribute traffic across multiple servers to prevent overload. They ensure optimal network performance.

Q. How do cooling systems work in data centers?

Cooling systems like HVAC and liquid cooling maintain optimal temperatures by removing server-generated heat. This prevents overheating and equipment damage.

Q. What are the security measures in a data center?

Security measures include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, surveillance cameras, biometric access controls, and security personnel. They protect the facility and its data.

Q. What are Tier standards in data centers?

Tier standards classify data centers based on reliability. Tier I has basic infrastructure, while Tier IV offers fault-tolerant systems with 99.995 percent uptime.

Q. What is colocation server hosting?

Colocation hosting allows businesses to house their own servers in a data center. The provider supplies power cooling and maintenance for the equipment.

References

1: Statista, 2024

2: United States International Trade Commission, Data Centers Around the World: A Quick Look, 2021

3: Wild Intelligence, AI Data and Trends for Business Leaders, 2024

4: Statista, Web Hosting Worldwide, 2024

Vasav

My name is Vasav Chaturvedi. I am a Technical Content Writer with 6 months of experience working in Redswitches pty ltd. My Hobbies are playing sports and listening to music. I am a passionate Content Writer.

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