The concept of data center , which can be translated as “data center” , is frequently used in the computing sector to refer to the space that houses the technological resources that allow a large amount of information to be processed . These places are also called a computing center or computing center .
A data center is a conditioned environment that contains computers and other hardware devices, connected in a network and equipped with the necessary software to carry out data processing. These environments usually have special air conditioning to prevent the machines from overheating.
Take the case of a technology company that offers hosting for websites. This company will need a data center to house the servers and process the data demands of its clients. If you provide your service to a large number of people, you may even have more than one data center.
An airline must also have a data center to store and manage all the information of its customers, its employees, its planes, its suppliers, etc. In computers, it stores passenger information, records tickets and coordinates flights, to name a few possibilities.
It is important to keep in mind that a data center usually stores sensitive information , which must be protected. This protection, on the one hand, has to be physical: intruders must be prevented from accessing the room, fire safety measures must be implemented and short circuits and voltage changes must be avoided, for example. On the other hand, it must be virtual, protecting data from the action of viruses and the intrusion of hackers.
Tips to improve the efficiency of a data center
Although at first glance it may seem that the efficiency of a data center depends above all on energy use, there are several other factors that we must take into account to optimize our resources and keep the structure in a functional state.
First of all, we must distribute the racks appropriately . Let's not forget that racks are metal supports similar in appearance to a shelf that are used to house electronic, communications and computer equipment .
Whether we overfill them or do not make the most of their space, we put the cooling of the devices at risk. To avoid this problem we must distribute them evenly, occupying all the racks to the same degree, so that the power dissipated by them in each row is homogeneous.
Another important tip is to separate the cold and hot air aisles , to achieve an optimal cooling system. In this way we not only protect the devices but also avoid waste of electrical energy . This task depends largely on the previous one: if we do not distribute the racks correctly, we will not be able to achieve an adequate level of cooling either. Using the best data center enclosure options available today, we can achieve energy savings of up to 30% .
Properly planning the data center and controlling it at all times is one of the paths to success. There are many tools that we can use to achieve these objectives, which allow us to measure the variables precisely and access a comprehensive view of the system . The capacity of the devices such as the space they occupy and their energy consumption are some of the points to take into account in this context.
To reduce energy costs even further, it is recommended to use LED lighting , a technology known to all that can offer savings close to 90% if implemented properly. It is important to use low voltage current integrated into the structured wiring to power the lamps.