A data center plays a critical role in today’s digital landscape. As businesses increasingly rely on fast and secure data access, choosing the right data center infrastructure is essential for business continuity and operational efficiency. Beyond storing and managing critical data, data centers ensure that information remains secure and easily accessible. However, many businesses struggle to choose the right data center that fits their needs. Discover three easy tips for selecting the best data center in this article.
What is Data Center?
A data center is a facility designed for data storage and communication networks, aimed at collecting, storing, processing, and distributing data on a large scale. This facility ensures that data can be accessed quickly and securely by users.
Physically, a data center consists of various hardware components such as servers, storage devices, routers, and switches that work together to support business operations and critical applications. Additionally, data centers are equipped with supporting systems such as cooling systems, backup power, and security measures to ensure reliable and sustainable operations.
How Does a Data Center Work?
To ensure data is accessible quickly and securely, data centers operate through a series of mechanisms. Here’s how a data center works:
- Physical storage – Equipped with hardware such as servers, hard disk drives (HDDs), and solid-state drives (SSDs) as the primary storage media. These devices store physical data, organized in specialized racks for space efficiency and effective management.
- Complex networking – Involves routers, switches, and cables that connect servers within the data center to external networks, ensuring fast and reliable data access and transfer.
- Virtual storage or cloud storage – Allows storage resources to be allocated and shared based on demand, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in data management.
- Advanced cooling systems – Maintain optimal temperatures, prevent overheating, and ensure hardware performance remains stable.
- Backup power sources – Includes Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and generators to keep systems running and prevent operational disruptions during power outages.
- 24/7 physical security layers – Includes strict access controls and alarm systems, while digital security consists of firewalls, data encryption, and intrusion detection systems to safeguard against cyber threats.
Benefits of Data Center for Businesses?
Using the right data center can provide significant operational and financial benefits for businesses. Here are three key advantages of a data center:
1. Securing Company Data
Data centers are designed to protect sensitive business information from various threats, including natural disasters and cyberattacks. The data stored remains safe even in the event of hardware failure or network disruptions.
2. Scalable Data Storage and Management
Businesses can adjust their storage and data management scale according to their needs. As the company grows, the data center infrastructure can be expanded easily without interrupting operations.
3. Cost Efficiency
With a fully equipped data center infrastructure, businesses can reduce operational costs. This eliminates the need for additional expenses related to data protection or recovery in case of hardware damage or data loss.
Infrastructure and Key Components of a Data Center
There are at least four essential components that a data center system must have:
Media Storage
A data center’s primary function is data storage, which can be in the form of hardware such as HDDs and SSDs or software-based solutions like cloud storage, Storage Area Networks (SAN), and Network-Attached Storage (NAS). Beyond storage, data centers play a crucial role in data distribution, backup, and management.
Power Capacity
A data center requires a stable power supply to function optimally. The power capacity component ensures a steady electricity flow throughout all systems. In case of a power outage, data centers remain operational through backup power from UPS and generators.
Cooling System
Cooling mechanisms are essential to maintain a data center’s temperature within standard operational levels and regulate the heat generated. These include solutions such as Calibrated Vectored Cooling (CVC), Chilled Water Systems, and Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRAC).
Security System
Security is a crucial component that ensures the protection of critical business data. Data center security consists of physical security and cybersecurity measures. Physical security: Systems to monitor access to storage rooms and restrict unauthorized entry. Cybersecurity measures: Protection against cyber threats such as malware and hacking attempts through encryption, firewalls, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS).
Read More: Serverless Computing: What It Is and How It Benefits Your Business
Types of Data Centers
There are several types of data centers that are generally used by companies to store important information. Here are some types of data centers.
Enterprise Data Centers
This type of data center is usually managed, built, and located in an enterprise environment. One of its main advantages is the ability to develop and expand data according to the company’s needs so that the company has full control.
Colocation Data Centers
Companies generally provide server colocation services that offer space rental in data centers. This space is equipped with the necessary infrastructure and facilities such as bandwidth, security, physical buildings, and more.
Hyperscale Data Centers
As the name implies, this type of data center offers the ease of increasing capacity. Simply add more system power or racks. Some of the tech giants that offer hyperscale data centers include Alibaba, Apple, Facebook, Amazon Web Services, Google, and others.
Tips for Choosing the Right Data Centers
Choosing the right data center is a crucial decision to ensure the security, availability, and efficiency of business data management. Here are three tips that can help you choose the right data center for your company’s needs.
Adequate Infrastructure
First, make sure that the infrastructure, including components and other resources provided by the data center provider, is adequate to support the performance of the storage media. Learn whether there are reliable storage systems, adequate power capacity, integrated and up-to-date hardware and software.
Security System
Re-evaluate whether there is a strong access control system, CCTV surveillance, end-to-end encryption, firewall, or other security systems to ensure that the stored data is not easily lost or damaged.
Data Accessibility
Consider the ease and availability of data on storage media. Make sure the system can handle proper downtime and disaster recovery to ensure the availability of information and services.
Data Center Recommendations for You from MBT
Mega Buana Teknologi recommends Supermicro and Ruijie as reliable data center solutions according to your business needs.
Supermicro
As a global leader in providing innovative and efficient data centers, Supermicro has a portfolio of various systems designed to meet modern computing needs. With designs that optimize space and resources, Supermicro enables the placement of more components in smaller spaces without sacrificing performance.
Energy efficiency and space-saving design can help companies reduce overall operating costs. Supermicro offers flexibility in configuration so that companies do not need to overspend on unnecessary hardware.
To ensure smooth system implementation and maintenance, Supermicro provides reliable technical support and responsive after-sales service. Here are three advantages of Supermicro data centers:
- Modular and flexible architecture that enables customization and high scalability. This approach makes it easy to configure the system according to specific needs and expand as the business grows.
- Energy and cooling efficiency thanks to a focus on green computing through the development of energy-efficient systems that reduce operating costs.
- High performance with the latest technologies that can integrate the latest components and technologies into Supermicro products, such as the latest generation processors and support for advanced GPUs. This ensures that the solutions offered are always up-to-date and compatible.
Ruijie
Ruijie Networks offers advanced data center solutions designed to meet the needs of modern networks with high performance and efficiency. One of Ruijie’s key innovations is the implementation of 100G technology in the data center infrastructure, which provides a significant increase in network speed and capacity.
Implementation of 100G technology allows increased data throughput, provides greater bandwidth, lower latency compared to 10G standards, ensuring applications and services run smoothly without a hitch. Companies have the flexibility to add or reduce components as needed, so that they can grow along with business needs without disrupting operations.
With a focus on operational efficiency, Ruijie develops systems that are energy efficient and equipped with advanced cooling technology. This not only reduces operating costs but also supports environmentally friendly initiatives.
Key Features of Supermicro and Ruijie Data Center
Supermicro features modular servers, multi-GPUs, and cooling solutions ideal for AI training, cloud computing, and large-scale data center virtualization.
Meanwhile, Rujie offers SDN-ready switches, high-density WiFi, and AI-powered traffic optimization to ensure secure and scalable data center network performance that can handle large volumes of data.
Get the Best Data Center Solution from MBT
Mega Buana Technology as part of CTI Group offers the best data center solution to help you adopt the sophistication technology of Supermicro and Ruijie smoothly. Supported by a team of professionals, MBT can optimize operations, save costs, and increase your business productivity.
Contact us now for the best data center solutions to suit your unique business needs.
Author: Ervina Anggraini – Content Writer CTI Group
