When people think about all the benefits associated with cloud-based storage solutions, what they probably forget about are the datacenters that make it all possible. The benefits are undeniable. For example, using cloud-services that are hosted in a datacenter is much more energy-efficient than having an in-house server located on the premises at your business. What goes on behind the scenes at a datacenter is the hard work that makes all of these benefits a reality.
Architecture
Datacenters are made up of a series of servers. A server is a computer designed to operate as a host for information. Each server in a datacenter is connected by a series of network routers and switches. These pieces of network equipment allow information to pass from server to server as well as from a server to the outside world and vice versa. All datacenters are typically connected to the Internet in a few different ways to avoid potential downtime issues if one such method happens to fail.
Power-Saving Techniques
Because datacenters use so much power, most commonly employ a variety of different power-saving techniques to be as energy efficient as possible. Many datacenters have completely redesigned the way their management software operates in an attempt to decrease power that’s typically wasted by systems like heating and cooling. Additionally, many datacenters have taken huge steps to cut down on the types of redundancies that are commonly seen as inefficient and energy wasters.
Cooling Technology
It’s no secret that computer hardware can be very sensitive. Equipment like those used in datacenters can fail if the internal temperature of the room gets too hot or too cold. Datacenters commonly employ several different heating and cooling systems help maintain a constant temperature indoors no matter how hot or cold it actually is outdoors. If one heating system fails, for example, another one immediately takes its place. Monitoring software can even help alert datacenter employees of a potential issue with the temperature of a room before it turns into a problem.
Organization
Datacenters are commonly organized to be as efficient as possible. All servers will be in one section of the datacenter, for example, while network routers and switches will be in another. All of this equipment will be connected via millions of feet of cables, which in turn are protected by pipes that run between each section of a building. Areas where servers are housed are commonly referred to as “server isles.” Because servers are designed to operate all the time and get very hot very quickly, each server isle typically has some type of fan or cooling system in place to prevent equipment from overheating and going offline for an extended period of time.
Physical Security
Most datacenters are equipped with some of the best security systems that money can buy. The Atlantic.Net datacenter, for example, was built with hurricane-proof concrete. Most data centers also have state of the art fire detection and prevention systems as well and are completely staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
All of this is going on completely behind the scenes. Datacenters are designed to make your cloud-based computing experience as worry and problem-free as possible.
