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What is a modern data centre?

What exactly is a modern data centre and how can you use it optimally? We provide you with an overview of the components it requires and the size you should aim for.

Main hubs for data processing

A data centre is an infrastructure for computers. It is used to house and manage a large number of computers, servers and network hardware. Such centres act as main hubs for data processing, data storage and resource distribution. This inventory is necessary to ensure the operation of computer networks and related services.

To ensure uninterrupted operation, data centres are often equipped with redundant power supply systems, climate control systems and multiple security devices.

Categorisation according to various criteria

Although the definition of a data centre can vary depending on the situation, they are often categorised according to various criteria. These include:

  • Size
  • Type of services hosted
  • Number of users or systems supported

Data centres can range from small server rooms within a building to large, independent facilities. They can house thousands of servers, which are housed in IT racks.

Nowadays, there are many cloud computing-oriented data centres that can also form the basis for company-owned network services.

SCHÄFER IT-Systems, as a specialist with the iQdata brand, offers you a complete package for the infrastructure of a data centre. From racks and acceptance to services such as maintenance, you get everything from a single source. Our experts are also the right people to contact when it comes to equipping and operating your data centre. iQdata provides you with comprehensive system solutions for the intelligent data centre.

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What components are housed in a data centre?

A large number of hardware and software components are housed in a data centre. These are designed to ensure efficient data processing, storage and communication. All hardware components are housed in special racks that have been optimally designed for operation, e.g. with safety equipment and temperature management.

Expertise

SAN and NAS use different protocols and access types. SAN uses block-based protocols, which enable direct access to storage blocks similar to a local hard drive. In contrast, NAS uses file-based protocols and acts as a standalone file server on the network. SAN is often used for data-intensive applications such as databases. NAS is easier to manage and ideal for storing and sharing files.

Monitoring systems

Routers, switches and firewalls ensure connectivity and security between the data centre and external influences such as the Internet. Cooling systems and power supply units are also crucial for smooth operation. To protect the physical and digital integrity of the infrastructure, special monitoring systems and security mechanisms such as intelligent locking systems or early fire detection are often used.

Network technology

The network technology you ultimately need depends on a variety of factors, such as the size of your data centre. SCHÄFER IT-Systems offers you a wide range of solutions, from racks to wall boxes and other accessories, to find the right solution for you.

Tip

SCHÄFER IT-Systems recommends that you use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Although sudden power failures are rare, they can never be ruled out. A UPS ensures that your IT hardware can continue to operate without interruption in the event of an emergency. Power failures can also lead to file damage and data loss, which can be prevented with a UPS.

Advantages of using your own data centre
Scalability and resource optimisation

Data centres enable flexible scaling of resources to meet the growing needs of a company. In addition, they enable centralised management of hardware and software, making IT resources more efficient and optimally usable.

Reliability and availability

Data centres can guarantee high availability and uptime through redundant power supply, cooling and network connections. This reduces the risk of downtime and ensures that important work processes can continue uninterrupted.

Safety and regulations

Modern data centres typically have advanced security measures such as firewalls, video surveillance and intelligent locking systems. As they specialise in protecting and securely storing data, they also make it easier to comply with various compliance requirements such as GDPR, HIPAA and PCI-DSS.

Data centre or server room – which size is right for you?

When planning a data centre, the first question that arises is how large this new data centre should be. The term ‘server room’ is often used in this context. But what is the difference between a server room and a data centre? And how can you determine how much computing power you really need?

Server room

A server room is a location, often just a room within a company's headquarters, that houses a limited number of servers and network hardware. In contrast, a data centre is a much larger, specially designed facility. It can host hundreds or even thousands of servers and have advanced infrastructure for cooling, power supply and security. Data centres are typically designed for high availability, scalability and complex services.

Data centre

The final size of your data centre will depend on a variety of variables that reflect the specific needs and goals of your business. Data volume is an important factor: the more data that needs to be stored and processed, the larger the infrastructure must be.

Digression
What is the difference between a network cabinet and a server cabinet?

What technical rack foundation do you need for your data centre's IT infrastructure requirements? What is the difference between a network cabinet and a server cabinet?
 

A network cabinet is primarily used to house network components such as switches, routers and patch panels. In contrast, a server cabinet is designed to house storage systems, server hardware and other data-centric devices.
 

Network cabinets are primarily designed to organise and protect network hardware. Server cabinets offer additional features such as improved cooling and power supply.
 

For more information, read here: Network cabinet vs. server cabinet

The type of applications and services to be hosted is also crucial. High-performance applications such as large databases or computationally intensive applications require more resources. At this stage, you need to consider whether one or more distributed server rooms will suffice or whether you should build your own building.

Tip: With a view to the future, you should never lose sight of scalability. A data centre that can be scaled easily and cost-effectively is essential if your company is expanding rapidly and constantly expanding its own services. Solutions from SCHÄFER IT-Systems are modular in design, so that expansion can be implemented easily and quickly at any time.

The size is also influenced by the requirements for redundancy, fail-safe operation and backup solutions. Last but not least, regulatory and security aspects must also be taken into account, which may require special hardware or additional space for security measures.

What is the ideal size for your data centre?

Let our experts advise you now!

Edge Computing

Is edge computing the future?

You may already have come across the term ‘edge computing’. It refers to a kind of ‘move away’ from centralised data centres.

Edge computing moves data processing closer to the end user. This means that calculations are performed in a server room in your own building rather than in a data centre hundreds of kilometres away.

Computing components are distributed across multiple locations within a company. These are all networked with each other, thus forming the ‘edge of the network’. If one location requires more computing power than it has available on site, it can still draw on unused computing power from other locations.

Edge computing therefore offers several advantages:

  • Intelligent and flexibly scalable network
  • Low latency for faster data processing
  • Sustainable energy efficiency

 

Applications that require fast response times and minimal latency benefit from the architecture of edge computing. Examples of current applications include:

 

  • Device control and IoT (Internet of Things) applications in industry
  • Patient safety through fast data processing in hospitals
  • Control over production and delivery processes in the food industry
  • Better educational infrastructure and experience in schools and universities

Direct processing of data increases the cost-effectiveness of your own IT infrastructure and improves its efficient use. Edge computing is not a replacement for cloud computing, but rather a complement to it. Both strategies can be combined to achieve an optimal balance between scalability, performance and costs.

Click here to watch our video about edge computing.

Are you looking for the right edge computing solution for your needs? Then use our edge computing configurator today. Find the right enclosure solution here: Edge computing configurator (german)

Caution with cloud computing:

SCHÄFER IT-Systems advises you to refrain from using colocation. If you use external service providers for your cloud computing, there is no guarantee that your data will be protected from external access. It is better to operate your own cloud. You can provide the necessary hardware for this in a high-performance data centre at your company headquarters, for example. By combining this with edge computing, data from the company's own cloud can be accessed at any location. This data can then be used on site to perform calculations significantly faster.

We are happy to advise you

Do you have any further questions about expanding or optimising your data centre? Then please contact our experts at SCHÄFER IT-Systems. We have many successful projects under our belt and can offer you a customised solution to meet your requirements.

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