[1]

Data center

What is Data Center?

A data center is a facility that stores, processes, and maintains data. It offers computer
resources, security, backup, and recovery solutions for businesses and online services.

Role of a Data Center

Data Storage Data Backup Processing Network

and Power Connectivity
Recovery

Security Disaster
Recovery

1. Data Storage: Data centers provide secure and scalable storage solutions for large
volumes of data, enabling efficient data management and retrieval.

2. Data Backup and Recovery: They implement backup solutions to protect against data loss
due to hardware failure, cyberattacks, or natural disasters. This ensures business continuity
and data integrity.

3. Processing Power: They hold powerful servers that do complicated computations and
operate programs, allowing businesses to efficiently handle large amounts of data.

4. Network Connectivity: Data centers offer high-speed internet connections and

networking equipment, facilitating seamless communication and data transfer between
servers and users.

5. Security: To secure sensitive data from unwanted access and breaches, robust security
measures are deployed, such as physical protection and cybersecurity protocols.
 [2]

6. Disaster Recovery: Data centers provide backup and disaster recovery solutions, ensuring
data integrity and quick restoration in case of emergencies, minimizing downtime.

Types of Data Center

Managed
Enterprise Colocation Cloud Data Edge Data
Services Data
Data Cneter Data Center Center Center
Center

Hyperscale Modular Data

Data Center Center

1. Enterprise Data Centers

Enterprise data centers are organization-owned facilities supporting IT operations, typically

located on-premises or off-site. They are customized for specific business needs, including
data storage, application hosting, and communication.

Features:

1. Customized infrastructure for specific business needs.

2. High security and compliance standards tailored to the organization's policies.
3. On-premises management provides full control over hardware and software.

2. Colocation Data Centers

Colocation centers allow multiple businesses to rent space within a facility to house their
servers and networking equipment. Customers share the facility's resources, including
power, cooling, and internet connectivity.

Features:

1. Cost-effective solutions for businesses looking to reduce infrastructure expenses.

2. Provides scalability so enterprises can increase their space as needed.
3. Often equipped with strong security measures, excessive power supplies, and high-speed
connectivity.

3. Managed Services Data Center

A Managed Services Data Center is a data center where an organization outsources IT

management (like infrastructure, security, and support) to a third-party provider. This setup
offers 24/7 monitoring, enhanced security, and scalability, allowing businesses to focus on
core activities while reducing IT costs.

Features:
 [3]

1. The provider manages data center operations, allowing the client to focus on core
business functions.
2. Continuous monitoring and robust security standards maximize uptime, ensuring data
safety and regulatory compliance.
3. Flexible resource scaling options support changing business needs efficiently.

4. Cloud Data Centers

These are virtualized data centers operated by cloud service providers (like Amazon Web
Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud). They allow users to access computing
resources (storage, processing, etc.) over the internet.

Features:

1. Offers flexibility and scalability, with resources are available on-demand.

2. ‘Pay-as-you-go’ pricing strategies enable firms to properly manage costs.
3. Provides global reach and excess, enhancing reliability and performance.

5. Edge Data Center

Edge data centers are smaller facilities located close to the end-users they serve. They aim
to reduce latency and improve the performance of applications that require real-time data
processing, such as IoT devices and content delivery.

Features:

1. Decreases latency by processing data closer to the source.

2. Supports applications that require fast, reliable connectivity.
3. Can be rapidly deployed and easily scaled according to the demand.

6. Hyperscale Data Centers

Hyperscale data centers are large-scale facilities designed to support thousands of servers
and massive data storage needs. They are typically used by major tech companies like
Facebook, Google, and Amazon for their extensive online services.

Features:

1. Highly efficient, often utilizing advanced cooling and power management technologies.
2. Designed for scalability, enabling quick adjustments to resource allocation based on
demand.
3. Typically built using standardized designs to streamline construction and maintenance.

7. Modular Data Centers

 [4]

Modular data centers are prefabricated modules that can be easily deployed and expanded
as needed. They are designed for flexibility and rapid deployment in various environments.

Features:

1. Quick to set up and can be moved or reconfigured easily.

2. Offers scalability as organizations can add or remove modules based on changing needs.
3. Often designed for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Differences between these data centers

Data Center
Type Ownership Management Scalability Typical use cases Key advantage
Large enterprises,
Single Managed in-
Enterprise Limited Government Full control
organization house
agencies
Facility managed
Third-party, Businesses needing Cost-effective,
by provider;
Colocation client leases Moderate physical server shared
hardware by
space control resources
client
Companies Reduces
Managed Fully managed by
Third-party Moderate outsourcing IT management
Services provider
infrastructure overhead
Highly
Fully managed by Organizations No physical
Cloud Cloud provider scalable,
provider needing flexibility maintenance
on-demand
Telecom/third- Managed by High, low- Telecom, IoT, Close to users,
Edge
party provider or client latency content networks low latency
Automated,
Large tech Extreme, Large-scale cloud Cost-effective at
Hyperscale managed by
companies mass scale providers scale
provider
Highly
Managed by Quick
scalable Remote sites,
Modular Flexible client or deployment,
with dynamic needs
outsourced portable
modules

How to set up a data center in India?

Starting a data center business requires significant investment, careful planning, and staying
updated on technology and regulations. Building secure infrastructure and consulting with
legal experts is key to compliance and client retention. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help
you get started:
 [5]

1. Market Research and Site selection

Choose a location with stable power, low natural disaster risk, proximity to target users,
cooler climates for lower cooling costs, and strong network connectivity with fiber-optic
availability.

2. Regulatory compliance and approvals

 Understand and comply with regulations requiring that certain types of data be stored
within the geographical boundaries of India. This includes sensitive personal data and
critical information.
 Obtain ISO 27001 certification, which focuses on establishing, implementing,
maintaining, and continuously improving an information security management system
(ISMS). This certification demonstrates your commitment to managing sensitive
information securely.
 Pursue Uptime Institute’s Tier Certification to validate the performance and reliability
of your data center's infrastructure. This includes assessments of redundancy, fault
tolerance, and operational sustainability
 Secure necessary approvals from state and central authorities. This may involve various
regulatory bodies, depending on the nature of your operations.
 Ensure compliance with environmental regulations, which may require conducting
assessments to evaluate the impact of your data center on the local environment.
Obtain clearances that validate adherence to these regulations, ensuring sustainable
operations.

3. Infrastructure setup

 To establish your data center, choose a location with good connectivity, reliable power
supply, and accessibility. Invest in scalable infrastructure, including power backups,
efficient cooling systems, and strong security measures.
 Ensure high-quality networking equipment and servers that meet industry standards and
can grow with your business. Implement strict physical security protocols and invest in
cybersecurity tools to protect against threats.
 Finally, establish high-speed internet access and plan for network redundancy to ensure
uninterrupted services. This approach will help you create a secure and efficient data
center.

4. Data protection and disaster recovery

 To safeguard critical data, set up an effective backup and disaster recovery system with
regular automatic backups and offsite or cloud storage.
 Use gas-based fire suppression systems, like FM-200, along with advanced smoke
detection for early warnings, and maintain regular fire safety protocols.
 [6]

 Comply with data protection laws, including India’s Personal Data Protection Bill, and
global standards like the GDPR if serving international clients.

5. Operational consideration

 To run your data center efficiently, hire skilled staff for 24/7 monitoring and
maintenance.
 Use monitoring software for remote tracking and real-time alerts to quickly address
issues and reduce downtime.
 Implement predictive maintenance to anticipate failures and schedule repairs. This
combination ensures reliable and efficient operations.

6. Sustainability Initiatives

 Enhance sustainability in your data center by using renewable energy sources like solar
or wind power and implementing energy-efficient equipment to lower your carbon
footprint.
 Pursue green certifications such as LEED or IGBC Green Data Center certification to
showcase your commitment to eco-friendly practices. These efforts improve your
environmental impact and appeal to eco-conscious clients.

Tier Standards in Data Center

Data centers use a tier classification system (Tier I to Tier IV) by the Uptime Institute to
evaluate reliability and uptime. Each tier increases infrastructure resilience and redundancy,
meeting the demands of critical applications. Higher tiers require stricter uptime standards,
ensuring greater fault tolerance and reliability for businesses.

Tier I (Basic Capacity)

Tier II (Redundant Capacity)

Tier III (Concurrently

maintainable)

Tier IV (Fault-tolerant)

1. Tier I
 [7]

Tier I is the most basic level, suitable for small businesses or non-critical applications. It
provides a dedicated IT space with limited protection against disruptions. Important
features of Tier I data centers are:

 Only one route for electricity and cooling, leading to potential downtime during
failures.
 Requires shutdowns for maintenance, leading to potential downtime.
 Approximately 99.671%, translating to about 28.8 hours of downtime annually,
making it less reliable.
 No backup systems in place, increasing vulnerability to outages and service
interruptions.

This tier is typically suited for small businesses, startups, or organizations that do not have
critical uptime requirements and can tolerate some downtime without significant
operational impact.

2. Tier II
Tier II data centers provide improved reliability over Tier I by incorporating redundant
components, such as backup power and cooling systems. Features of Tier II data centers
are:

 Includes backup power and cooling systems that can take over if the primary systems
fail.
 Maintains a single route for power and cooling, but with redundancy in the
components.
 Uptime approximately 99.749%, allowing for about 22 hours of downtime per year.
 Scheduled maintenance can be performed without disrupting operations, reducing
service interruptions.
 More advanced cooling solutions improve efficiency and performance.
 It also includes backup generators to reduce downtime during power outages.

Overall, Tier II data centers offer a good balance of reliability and cost, making them suitable
for organizations with moderate uptime requirements.

3. Tier III
Tier III data centers offer high availability by providing multiple power and cooling paths,
allowing maintenance without impacting operations. Features of Tier II data centers are:

 All critical components can be serviced without shutting down the system, allowing
for maintenance without interrupting operations.
 Multiple independent paths for power and cooling ensure reliability.
 Uptime approximately 99.982% uptime, allowing about 1.6 hours of downtime
annually.
 Efficient cooling solutions maintain optimal equipment performance.
 [8]

 Backup Power System which includes generators and UPS for uninterrupted
operation during outages.
 Advanced physical and cybersecurity measures to protect data.

Suitable for businesses requiring high availability, such as financial institutions, healthcare
providers, and e-commerce companies, where downtime is not an option.

4. Tier IV
Tier IV is the highest standard for data center reliability, designed for mission-critical
operations with zero tolerance for downtime. Here’s a detailed explanation of its key
features:

 Completely fault-tolerant infrastructure with dual power and cooling systems (2N
redundancy).
 All components are fully redundant and independent, so any single fault won’t
disrupt operations.
 Simultaneously maintainable and capable of sustaining operations during any
unplanned event.
 Systems are equipped with backup generators and robust disaster recovery
measures.
 Expected Uptime: 99.995% annually (about 26.3 minutes of downtime per year).

Tier IV data centers are designed for maximum reliability and fault tolerance, ensuring
continuous operation even in the face of hardware failures or maintenance needs. They are
the top choice for organizations that require the highest level of uptime and performance
from their IT infrastructure.

Summary of Tier Differences:

Redundancy Expected Downtime

Tier Level Uptime Per Year Applications

Tier I Basic (N) 99.67% 28.8 hours Non-critical applications

Redundant
Components Small to medium-sized
Tier II (N+1) 99.74% 22 hours businesses
Concurrently
Maintainable Enterprises with high
Tier III (N+1) 99.98% 1.6 hours availability needs
Fault-Tolerant
Tier IV (2N) 100.00% 26.3 minutes Mission-critical operations
 [9]

Data Center terminology used in Tier:

1. N: The minimum required capacity needed for normal operation in a data center setup,
used as a baseline for tier classifications.

2. N+1: A redundancy model where one additional component is included beyond the
minimum required capacity (N), allowing for maintenance or failure of one component
without service interruption.

3. 2N: A full redundancy model where all components are duplicated, providing complete
fault tolerance. This ensures that even if one entire system fails, the backup system can take
over without any loss of service.

4. Concurrent Maintainability: A design principle in Tier III that allows for any component to
be maintained or replaced without disrupting the ongoing operations of the data center.

5. Fault Tolerance: The ability of a Tier IV data center to continue operations despite failures
of any single component, ensuring that services remain available.

6. Uptime Percentage: The measure of time a data center is operational without

interruptions, expressed as a percentage. Uptime is calculated using the formula:

Uptime (%) = (Total time - Downtime) / Total time x 100