A data centre is a physical facility or area devoted to the housing of computer systems and resources, such as storage systems, applications and data, that businesses use.
A data centre has numerous key components, including different types of routers, switches, storage systems, servers, application delivery controllers. These components when installed provide storage infrastructure and network infrastructure, helping drive applications.
There are several different types of data centres, each of them designed differently. The four main types of data centres are cloud data centres, managed data centres, enterprise data centres and colocation data centres.
The cloud company manages and operates the hardware in this data centre, while cloud service providers such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM Cloud, and GoCloud host the data and applications. This allows users and customers to operate and manage applications and data on cloud servers through virtual infrastructure.
There are three different types of cloud environments: public cloud, private cloud and hybrid cloud. These are managed cloud services that are offered by a managed cloud service provider.
These are deployed, maintained, and monitored by a third-party service provider, which the business rents instead of purchasing the equipment and infrastructure. Additionally, the service provider maintains and controls all of the network components and services, including operating system upgrades and data restoration.
These are constructed and designed with the sole purpose of supporting a single business within its own private facility. Additionally, since they are owned, controlled and monitored by the business, it is simpler to measure parameters and maintain their software, which is optimised for end users.
Colocation data centres (abbreviated as 'colo') are huge facilities where businesses may rent space for their servers.
The colocation data centre offers the server with the necessary infrastructure, including the building, space, cooling, electricity and physical security. The business, on the other hand, supplies and maintains the server's components, including servers, storage systems, firewalls and security software.
Physical and virtual servers are housed in data centres and are linked through networking equipment to store, transfer, and share digital data and resources. Each server is equipped with its own processor and a storage and memory system, similar to that of a personal device or computer, but with more processing power.
The data centre then distributes the server's applications, resources, and data to the end users’ device, such as a clients’ hosted desktop.
As demand for data, power, and business growth rises, data centres allow businesses to outsource their energy demands. Businesses may profit from data centres in a variety of ways, including how outsourcing data manages and minimises the impact and damage of a power outage or disaster, thus increasing a business's efficiency.
GoCloud offer superior managed cloud hosting, based from UK ISO27001 certified data centres.
If you’re ready to make the switch, get in touch on 01482 751133 or email hello@gocloud.co.uk to find out more.
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