We always hear a word Data Center, when we speak about Web Hosting industry. Most of us are more worried with the location of Data Center. What actually is a Data Center? What is the importance of it? Let us try to learn and get a brief idea about Data Center.

A data center also spelled as datacenter or datacentre is also called as server farm. Sometimes, it is also known as server cluster. It is a facility used to house computer systems and associated components, such as telecommunications and storage systems. It comprises all the security features with connections for redundant data communication, power supply for backups and air conditioning, fire suppression to make the environment secure and safe. It often has backup servers. If the primary server fails, these backup servers can take over its function.

A data center can be setup in one room of a building, one or more floors, or an entire building. Most of the equipment is often in the form of servers mounted in 19 inch rack cabinets. These are often placed in single rows forming corridors between them. In this way, people can easily access the rear and front end of the server.

The size of server can differ. There are few equipments like storage devices or mainframe computers which may be as big as the size of rack itself. These are usually placed alongside racks. There are large data centers which use shipping containers. These shipping containers can be packed with 1000 or more Servers. This is more costly. How? Because if there is a need to upgrade or downgrade or repair a server, whole container is needed to be replaced. A single server is neither upgraded/downgraded nor repaired.

In short Data Center is a room with multiple servers. We will learn about the physical layout of the Data Centers shortly.