Today’s business landscape is predominantly digital, with the proliferation of cloud computing, mobile apps and AI. The ultimate bedrock of these technologies and many others are the data centers that facilitate the storage, movement and security of data. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about modern data centers, what they consist of, and how to choose the best IT infrastructure for your business.
Looking for a cloud services company in Sri Lanka that you can trust? At EFutures, we specialise in end-to-end managed cloud services for businesses all around the globe. With long-standing experience across multiple industries and domains, our team can comprehensively assess your existing infrastructure requirements , and advise you on the best course of action – every step of the way. Contact us today, to know more!
A data centre is a physical location that hosts the necessary infrastructure to store and manage data. Data centers also manage and streamline traffic, while enabling cyber security across the entire infrastructure to encrypt data, and ensure only authorised access is granted.
Data centers typically consist of the below three components, to manage data:
Although a data centre is a physical repository of IT infrastructure, businesses can access these resources via the cloud, through public, private or hybrid cloud computing models. For meeting advanced or niche requirements, an on-premise data centre is often the best yet most expensive option.
However, on-premise data centers can be arranged by a cloud managed data centre services provider, who, through careful assessments and upon selection of the best pricing models can deliver a solution that meets your needs as well as your budget.
The tier structuring system in data centers refers to the level of reliability that can be expected from one. The higher the tier, the more expensive your data centre is bound to be. These four tiers include:
It is important to keep in mind that a tier 4 data centre isn’t always the most suitable option. The best tier structure always depends on the unique needs of each company, and is something that a cloud migration consulting services company can advise on following detailed assessments, as well as consideration towards a company’s budget, industry and compliance requirements.
For example, a tier 3 data centre may be sufficient for a midsized company that relies on its website and mobile app for sales, simply because it receives a moderate level of traffic on a daily basis. In such a situation, opting for a tier 4 data centre may be excessive, both in terms of resources and budget.
Data centers require multiple variants of security, along with different layers of each security type throughout, to ensure all components are well protected at all times. While not an exhaustive list, the different types of security include:
If your business is looking to partner with a cloud service provider, it is important that you and your team are aware of what their security protocols are. This way, you know how your data is being protected, how much downtime to expect and what kind of support you stand to receive, in the uneventful likelihood of a breach.
If you are already partnered with a cloud managed services provider, they should be able to do all the hard work to know what you can expect, and therefore advise you accordingly.
An on-premise data centre isn’t always necessary for every modern business, simply owing to advancements in cloud computing. As cloud computing is now highly reliable, thanks to being scalable and customisable on a granular level, many companies are afforded the convenience of eliminating on-premise data centers all together.
Add to this the convenience of choosing a private cloud model, if security and privacy is an issue. Especially in partnership with an AWS managed services provider, companies can select cloud computing resources that are attuned to their unique needs, while also being able to flexibly modify these requirements depending on seasonality or budget allocations.
The utility value of an on-premise data centre is still very much relevant, though. On-premise data centers may be a requirement for organisations that function in highly regulated industries, where compliance requirements are strict and using shared cloud services may not be an option. Security is another concern, and a company may choose to build, stock, maintain and regularly invest in an on-premise data centre, simply for peace of mind.
Whether you require cloud application development services, storage or cyber security, you need to establish the right digital infrastructure to empower your business’s digital transformation objectives. Conducting a detailed assessment is always a wise first step, irrespective of whether you already use hosted or on-premise resources from a cloud services partner. This is because with company growth, new application features and seasonal demands, your business may experience an updated set of requirements in terms of storage, networking and compute.
A business assessment can involve a combination of team members who have the power to make final decisions, as well as those that are ‘influencers’ to final decision makers. Asking questions around existing bottlenecks, information gaps and excessive costs can get a productive conversation rolling, which in turn can help derive clarity on what’s wrong – and what needs to be fixed.
As a digitally-oriented business, you need the right IT infrastructure to ensure your applications receive optimal compute resources, while also maintaining maximum uptime to deliver business continuity in the wake of unforeseen circumstances. With leading cloud service providers now also specialising in allied services such as cyber security (AWS security services is one example), businesses need to have the right support to understand what is best suited to their needs, ideally with a managed cloud services partner they can trust.
Stay updated with our tech articles – your go-to source for the latest insights, trends, and innovations in technology.