The amount of data businesses create is growing at an incredible rate. Global data creation is projected to reach 394 zettabytes by 2028,1 and supporting that growth requires infrastructure that is powerful, reliable, and secure.
Data centers are the facilities that make this possible, powering everything from e-commerce transactions and cloud applications to business communications and enterprise systems. But what is a data center, and how can the different types support your business operations?
In this guide, we’ll break down what data centers are, the options you can choose from, and how CommQuotes can help you find the right provider for your business.
What Is a Data Center?
A data center is a physical facility that organizations use to house their critical IT infrastructure, which typically includes servers, networking equipment, storage systems, power supplies, and cooling systems.
The purpose of a data center is to store, process, and deliver data reliably and at scale. Businesses depend on them to run applications, host websites, manage communications, and support everything from email to enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
So when people ask, “What are data centers?”, the answer is simple: they’re the digital engines behind modern business operations.
What Do Data Centers Do?
Data centers are built to handle a wide variety of IT functions. Depending on the organization’s needs, they may:
- Host servers and storage for websites, applications, and databases
- Process large volumes of information for analytics and business intelligence
- Maintain backups of critical files and support disaster recovery
- Provide centralized control over IT environments across multiple sites
- Connect users to cloud platforms with fast, secure networking
At CommQuotes, we can help you determine exactly what your business needs from a data center and recommend solutions that make the most sense for your workloads and budget.
What Is Data Center Infrastructure?
Data center infrastructure refers to the physical and virtual components that keep a data center running. These include:
Servers
Servers provide the core computing power for data centers. They run applications, support virtual environments, and handle day-to-day workloads.
Storage Systems
Storage systems manage and retain the data businesses generate, whether through solid-state drives (SSDs), storage area networks (SANs), or other solutions.
Networking Equipment
Networking equipment, such as routers, switches, and firewalls, enables data to flow within the facility and to external networks.
Cooling Systems
Cooling systems keep servers from overheating. Data centers may use HVAC units, computer room air conditioning (CRAC), or more advanced methods like liquid cooling to ensure stable performance.
Power Systems
Data centers rely on redundant feeds, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), and backup generators to maintain uptime even during outages.
Security Controls
Security controls typically include physical measures like biometric access, surveillance, and staffed checkpoints, as well as digital defenses, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access management.
What Is a Data Center Network?
A data center network (DCN) is the architecture that interconnects all the resources within a data center – and often links multiple data centers together.
An effective DCN must be high-speed to handle real-time applications, scalable to grow with business demand, secure to safeguard sensitive data, and resilient enough to maintain uptime in the event of failures or attacks.
The quality of a data center provider’s network will have a direct impact on your organization’s IT environment, so make sure to choose a trusted provider. CommQuotes can help you compare network capabilities side by side, so you can choose a data center that delivers the performance and reliability your business requires.
What Is a Data Center Building?
The data center building itself is built to support mission-critical IT operations. It’s more than just a warehouse of servers; it’s a facility specifically designed for:
- Redundant power and cooling systems
- Strict security protocols and access controls
- Carrier-neutral network access for diverse connectivity
- Tier certifications (Tier I–IV) that reflect levels of uptime and fault tolerance
- Geographic placement that supports low-latency access and disaster recovery
Choosing the right data center building goes beyond location and infrastructure. The facility needs to be able to meet your compliance obligations, deliver consistent performance, and support your business as it grows. Evaluating these factors up front can help ensure your IT environment is built on a strong foundation.
What Are the Different Types of Data Centers?
Not all data centers are alike. The type of facility you choose will ultimately depend on your organization’s size, workloads, compliance needs, and budget. Here’s a look at the main categories:
Enterprise Data Centers
Enterprise data centers are owned and managed by a single organization. They provide full control over infrastructure, security, and management. While this model offers more customization, it requires a hefty upfront investment and ongoing operating costs. Enterprise facilities are often best suited for large organizations with strict compliance needs and the resources to manage them.
Colocation Data Centers
Colocation facilities allow businesses to rent space for their own equipment inside a third-party data center. The provider manages the building, power, cooling, and physical security, while tenants maintain control over their servers and applications. Colocation data centers offer enterprise-grade performance and security without the cost of building a facility from scratch.
Cloud Data Centers
Cloud data centers are typically operated by providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. Instead of managing equipment directly, businesses purchase computing resources on a subscription basis. This model is highly flexible, so organizations can scale up or down based on demand. It also reduces infrastructure management but may offer less control compared to on-premises or colocation options.
Edge Data Centers
Edge data centers are smaller facilities located closer to end users. Their purpose is to minimize latency by processing data near its source – an approach that provides better performance for real-time apps like IoT, VoIP, or autonomous systems.
Hyperscale Data Centers
Hyperscale data centers are large-scale facilities built by cloud giants to support massive operations. They focus on efficiency, automation, and multi-tenant support, often spanning millions of square feet. These facilities can power entire global platforms and serve as the backbone for services used by millions of customers daily.
Choose the Right Data Center Provider With CommQuotes
Choosing a data center is one of the most important infrastructure decisions an organization can make. Unfortunately, navigating the crowded data center landscape can be overwhelming. With so many options – on-prem, colo, cloud, hybrid – it’s hard to know which vendor offers the right mix of performance, cost, and scalability.
At CommQuotes, we help businesses cut through the noise and compare top data center providers side-by-side. Our deep relationships with thousands of data centers worldwide mean we’re not just giving you a sales pitch – we’re helping you find the best solution for your needs at the guaranteed lowest possible price point.
Ready to explore data center options for your business? Connect with the CommQuotes team today to get started.
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