In today’s high-tech world of information and technology it would be impossible
for most of us to function in our day to day lives without some form of
information interaction that is
digitally transmitted and stored in any number of locations. Data centers are an integral part of
virtually every business these days as they rely heavily on massive amounts of
data being stored and made available for daily business functions. From emails to on-line banking or accessing
a form from the workplace network to operating a telecommunications center,
virtually everything we do or use today somehow interacts with digital data
being transmitted, stored and made secure in a data center.
However,
data centers are much more than just a place to store data; this is just one of
the many components that make up a data center.
Data centers are run by computer systems that make the data they store
useful to whom or whatever has access to the data. These systems can be quite immense depending
on the size of the business or corporation.
The various ways in which the data is being accessed and used dictates
what type of infrastructure is put in place to move, save and protected the
stored data. There are the data storage
systems themselves that typically are paired to ensure storage redundancy and
then you must have the hardware and software in place that makes data
connectivity possible.
Telecommunications of course is necessary for the transmittal of data
and each data center typically has a primary and back-up power distribution
system for ensured reliability. These
are the main components that make up a typical data center.
Data
centers play such an important role in our everyday lives that extreme measures
are taken to protect the stored data.
Aside from routine back-ups and virus protection software, data centers
are also commonly protected by both electronic data security and physical
security systems as well. Fire
suppression and environmental control systems are also a vital part of most
large data centers.
For a
typical example of how a data center interacts with our everyday lives, let us
take a quick trip to the electronics super store. Suppose you are unable to find an advertised
sale item you wish to purchase. You flag
down one of the store’s sales associate who punches in the information on your
item into one of their sales terminals.
The information is then transmitted to the stores corporate data center
where an inventory check locates your item at a store 55 miles away. With a swipe of your credit card, the
electronic wheels are set in motion.
Through applications, that are part of the data center, your credit card
information and sales amount is transmitted to your bank for approval and then
back with confirmation of payment.
Another application, that is also part of the data center, then
electronically removes your item from the store’s inventory, tags it for
re-order and transfers the item to the inventory of the store that you made the
purchase from. Last, through yet another
application that is part of the data center, the item is electronically marked
to be shipped on the next truck heading to the store of purchase. All of this takes place within seconds from
the sales associate hitting the ‘enter’ key.
A few days later, you receive an email and a text message, through yet
another application that is part of the data center, alerting you that your
item has arrived and is ready for pick up.
