What is a Data Center?

With how quickly technology advances, it can be difficult to keep up with all the jargon. If you’ve heard someone reference a “data center” and wondered what it was, you’re not alone. Fortunately, the concept is quite simple: a data center is a facility that houses multiple computer servers and related equipment.

Computer servers are specially designed to process requests and send data over the internet or through a local network. While today’s servers are quite powerful, the way we use the internet has also expanded drastically. Some websites and online services handle so much data that they need multiple servers to accommodate the requests. The facility where those servers are held and maintained is a data center.

A smaller organization might pay for the right to use several servers at a data center. Bigger organizations might have their own data center -- or even several super-sized data centers.

Regardless of how many servers a data center holds, their general purpose remains the same. The data center staff ensures the servers are functioning optimally and addresses any problems that may arise. Likewise, the staff ensures the physical security and cybersecurity of the center. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, check out EPI certification for data center operations and maintenance.