What is datacenter? Does is it bunch of servers connected together?

Originally posted by mikeshn
What is datacenter? Does is it bunch of servers connected together?

Depends on the company, I have visited some "data centers" that consisted of a closet that had some computers in it.

Generally speaking a data center is a secure building that is purpose-built to house servers and network equipment. It can also be an area within a building that is specially designed to house server and networking equipment.

The reason for the special design, is that a data center generally holds information critical to a company, or companies, so the data center has special security needs, special power needs (more power than standard office space), redunant power sources, special fire supression systems, powerful cooling and filtration systems, and usually racks to mount the servers.

A data center also usually has a NOC, where staff monitors and maintains the servers/equipment.