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Understanding Different Types of Data Center

This document discusses and compares different types of data centers: hyperscale, colocation, wholesale colocation, enterprise, and telecom. Hyperscale data centers are owned by large companies like AWS and Google and offer robust, scalable computing services. Colocation centers house equipment for multiple customers and offer interconnection options. Wholesale colocation is similar but focuses on larger customers. Enterprise data centers are owned and run by individual companies, while telecom centers are owned by internet providers. Edge data centers are an emerging type to support technologies like IoT and 5G networks.

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Mirazul Alam
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325 views

Understanding Different Types of Data Center

This document discusses and compares different types of data centers: hyperscale, colocation, wholesale colocation, enterprise, and telecom. Hyperscale data centers are owned by large companies like AWS and Google and offer robust, scalable computing services. Colocation centers house equipment for multiple customers and offer interconnection options. Wholesale colocation is similar but focuses on larger customers. Enterprise data centers are owned and run by individual companies, while telecom centers are owned by internet providers. Edge data centers are an emerging type to support technologies like IoT and 5G networks.

Uploaded by

Mirazul Alam
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Understanding Different Types of Data Center

All data centers are essentially buildings that provides space, power and cooling for network infrastructure. They centralize a business’s IT
operations or equipment, as well as store, share and manage data. Businesses depend on the reliability of a data center to ensure that their
daily IT operations are always functioning. As a result, security and reliability are often a data centers top priority.

In this technology explainer we look at the different classifications of a data center; Hyperscale, Colocation, Wholesale Colocation,
Enterprise, and Telecom, and explore what they do and who they are for.

Hyperscale Data Center

–– A Hyperscale (or Enterprise Hyperscale) data center is a facility owned and


operated by the company it supports. This includes companies such as AWS,
Microsoft, Google, and Apple.
–– They offer robust, scalable applications and storage portfolio of services to
individuals or businesses
–– Hyperscale computing is necessary for cloud and big data storage
–– Has anywhere from 500 Cabinets upwards, and at least 10,000sq ft. in size
–– Usually have a minimum of 5,000 servers linked with an ultra-high
speed, high fiber count network
–– May use external companies on initial fit outs before maintaining
internally.
–– Noticeable difference from Enterprise to Hyperscale is the High Fiber Count
utilized across the network.

AFL Hyperscale - The World. Connected.


Understanding Different Types of Data Center

Colocation Data Center

–– Colocation Data Centers consist of one data center owner selling space,
power and cooling to multiple enterprise and hyperscale customers in a specific
location.
–– Interconnection is a large driver for businesses. Colocation data centers offer
interconnection to Software as a Service (SaaS) such as Salesforce, or Platform
as a service (PaaS) like Azure. This enables businesses to scale and grow their
business with minimum complexity at a low cost.
–– Colocation companies offer technical guidance for companies that don’t know
what they require, or want the hassle to source and deliver it.
–– Other Colocation facilities have a slightly different model where chosen
integrators provide the technical design, guidance and specification for
migrating customers.
–– Depending on the size of your network requirement, you can rent 1 Cabinet to
100 Cabinets, in some cases ¼ or ½ a cabinet is available.
–– A colocation data center can house 100s if not 1000s of individual customers.

Wholesale Colocation Data Center

–– Wholesale colocation data centers consist of one owner selling space, power
and cooling to enterprise and hyperscale like standard colocation.
–– In these instances Interconnection is not really a requirement. These facilities
are used by hyperscale or large companies to hold their IT infrastructure.
–– In most cases wholesale colocation provide the space, power and cooling.
–– A number of wholesale colocation companies are adding standard colocation
into their portfolio on the same sites where possible.
–– Wholesale colocation tend to support less customers, depending on the data
center size, this can be typically under 100 tenants.
–– Typically the cabinet numbers range from 100 cabinets to 1000+ Cabinets.

AFL Hyperscale - The World. Connected.


Understanding Different Types of Data Center

Enterprise Data Center

–– An enterprise data center is a facility owned and operated by the company it


supports and is often built on site but can be off site in certain cases also.
–– May have certain sections of the data center caged off to separate different
sections of the business.
–– Commonly outsources maintenance for the M&E but runs the white space
themselves via the IT team.
–– May use external companies on initial fit-outs and network installation before
being maintained internally.
–– Has anywhere from 10 Cabinets upwards and can be as large as 40MW+.

Telecom Data Center

–– A telecom data center is a facility owned and operated by a


Telecommunications or Service Provider company such as BT, AT&T
or Verizon.
–– These types of data centers require very high connectivity and are mainly
responsible for driving content delivery, mobile services, and cloud services.
–– Typically the telecom data center uses 2 post or 4 post racks, to house IT
infrastructure, however cabinets are becoming more prevalent.
–– Use their own staff to install and manage the sites, initial install and
continual routine. A lot become lights out sites.
–– Some Telco companies run the data center within a Data Centre, for
example a Colocation data center.
–– Telco Data Centres are now utilising space within their facilities to add
additional services such as Colocation .

Soon there will be another classification of data center. The Edge data center. Early indications show Edge data centers will support IoT,
autonomous vehicles and move content closer to users, with 5G networks supporting much higher data transport requirements. It is
expected Hyperscale and Telecom companies will largely push or compete for the emerging business. It is too early to predict the detailed
shape and scale of Edge computing but we do know that some form of Edge computing will evolve and that there will be lots of fiber
involved.

With different data centers come very different needs and network architecture types. The varying network architectures are all united in
the want for higher speed, performance, efficiency and scalability. What is certain is that our want for greater technologies, whether it be
IOT, automation, or AI, alongside our consumption of social media, and streaming services, will continually put pressure on data centers to
innovate and grow as we continue to move into a more connected world.

AFL Hyperscale - The World. Connected.

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