The rapid increase in cloud computing, high-performance computing (HPC), and the widespread growth in the use of the internet and social media have heightened interest in and reliance on data centers
A data center primarily consists of electronic equipment used for data processing (servers), data storage (storage devices), and communication (network equipment). Collectively, this equipment processes, stores, and transmits digital information, known as information technology (IT) equipment. The following article briefly introduces the nature of data centers.
![☀️ Processor rental [cheap] ✔️ Amirkabir simulators ✔️](http://hpc-rent.ir/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/7a915c02-e5db-410e-8de7-66127a9f99f1-1-180x1801-1.jpg)
An IT room is a controlled environment that houses equipment and cabling directly connected to telecommunications systems, generating significant heat in a confined space. Moreover, IT equipment is highly sensitive to temperature and humidity fluctuations.
Thus, a data center must provide limited power and cooling conditions to ensure the integrity and performance of its hosted equipment. Many manufacturers refer to the IT room as the white space.
The white space in a data center refers to the controlled environment housing IT equipment.
These areas include locations where various systems such as power, cooling, and telecommunications are situated. Essentially, these areas consist of electrical equipment and emergency power control (UPS), UPS rooms, backup power systems, cooling equipment areas, control rooms, etc.
Data centers typically consist of three main subsystems:
IT equipment is the main consumer of electricity in a data center, representing approximately 45–55% of total power consumption. It can be described as the work capacity and IT technology for a given power consumption. IT equipment power includes loads related to all IT equipment such as computing, storage devices, and networking, along with auxiliary equipment like monitors, workstations/laptops used for monitoring, or other purposes.
The power distribution system in a data center includes equipment responsible for transmitting electrical power to the system’s loads while maintaining sufficient energy quality and security levels. A reliable power supply is a cornerstone of a successful data center.
Since the public grid may experience voltage drops that could damage part of a server or cause complete server failure, stabilizing the power supply is crucial. Additionally, the risk of prolonged power outages, which could disrupt the entire data center, must always be considered.
Between the public grid and infrastructure, a transformer converts electrical energy from high/medium voltage to low voltage. After this electrical component, there is a switchboard used for controlling, protecting, and isolating electrical equipment.
In the context of a data center, the task of connecting IT equipment to the main network is handled by a backup diesel generator. Typically, a backup diesel generator supplies power if there is an issue with the public grid. Batteries or flywheels are usually designed to keep IT equipment running for a few seconds until the diesel generator starts.
Other components supporting IT equipment include UPS systems, power supply units (PDUs), and other miscellaneous loads like lighting and filters.
The physical environment inside data centers is heavily controlled, making the design of cooling systems crucial for the overall efficiency and reliability of the data center. Cooling systems are categorized into air-based and water-based systems.
Most existing data centers are cooled by air within cooling units. Server racks are typically arranged in cold and hot aisle enclosures to better manage airflow. In these systems, cold air produced by the CRAH unit is directed into the cold aisle through either a raised floor with perforated tiles or ceiling diffusers.
Warm air is drawn into the hot aisles and returned to the CRAH unit. The heat in the CRAH unit is absorbed by water and transferred to the chiller system. Another type of air cooling system involves close-coupled cooling, where the CRAH unit (and thus cold water) is positioned near the racks.
Web workloads represent massive numbers. Users expect such workloads to respond within seconds (e.g., Google searches, Facebook searches). Therefore, evaluating the resource consumption of web applications to achieve accurate results requires realistic workload simulations.
Although network workload is highly heterogeneous and fluctuates significantly over short periods, it shares common characteristics across all workloads, such as daily activity cycles. Determining the global web workload involves two components:
We have seen data centers as spaces for processing people’s data. In a vast environment, information is exchanged, uploaded, or retrieved. The methods of maintaining these data centers, depending on their location and scale, vary in terms of cooling and the strategies employed for their upkeep.
What does a data center do?
A data center refers to facilities that centralize an organization’s shared IT and operations equipment for storing, processing, and disseminating data and applications. Since they house an organization’s critical and proprietary assets, data centers are vital for daily operations.
Why do we need data centers?
Data centers offer facilities increasingly demanded by companies and organizations but are expensive to achieve independently. Data migration provides substantial benefits, from safety and reliability to energy efficiency and cost reduction.
Do we need data centers?
Data centers are essential components of modern retail operations, providing digital services and online customer experiences. Nowadays, consumers expect highly personalized and relevant experiences related to data centers, whether interacting online or at a local store.