WHAT IS AN INTERNET DATA CENTER?

A data center is a facility that provides an extremely reliable environment to keep a computer operation running 24x7 (24 hours, 7 days a week). Traditionally, the service offered by most data center is co-location service. Co-location service is the provisioning of purpose-build space, power, air-conditioning, inter-connection and security infrastructure

Infrastructure

A data center must have the infrastructure to provide 24 x 7 physical security and operational support facilities.

To begin with, access to the data center must be restricted and monitored. The data center must have security guards and security access systems, like Biometric systems, in place to manage access to visitors and customers. Surveillance cameras must also be placed round strategic locations to monitor and record the activities around and within the data center 24 x 7.

24 x 7 operational support facilities within the data center include Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems which are stored with enough power supply in its batteries to keep the equipment in the data center running until the standby diesel generator takes over. Both the UPS and the generator must have more power than what is required for all the equipments put together in the data center. Power supply to the data center must also be from two separate power sub-stations for protection against single point of failure.

Besides power redundancy, air-conditioning redundancy is also very vital to the data center. The data center should have multiple air conditioning units to supply more than what is required in terms of the cooling capacity. The air-conditioning circulation of the data center is also very important. The air must be blown from below the raised floor into the racks through vents under the rack. This will provide maximum cooling effect and prevent condensation from occurring. The temperature inside the data center must also be kept around 22° C and humidity between 60 and 65 per cent.

Lastly a data center must have smoke detectors that are linked to its fire suppression system. This fire suppression system will use inert gas like Argonite or agent such as FM200 to douse any accidental fire without causing electrical damage to the computing and network equipment unlike conventional water sprinklers.