Datacenters are either physical or virtual centralized storage areas that function to store, manage, and disseminate data and information. These data are organized using datacenter solutions and revolve around a particular category of knowledge or a specific kind of business. Datacenters are estimated to be equivalent to network operations centers (NOC). This is a confidential area that holds automated systems and monitors server activity, network performance, and Web traffic.
Datacenters have come a long way from its humble beginnings. These began as huge computer rooms during the early years of the computing industry and involved complicated operations and maintenance. Due to technological advancements and the era of the dot-com phenomenon, these racks of equipment have long evolved and gave birth to such innovations like Internet data centers (IDCs). The Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers names four quantifiable levels of data centers, also known as tiers.
Tier 1
This datacenter level is typically utilized by small and cash-based businesses. This provides limited online presence and perceived downtime is a tolerable inconvenience. Tier 1 datacenters are minimally dependent on information technology (IT) and have a single, non-redundant distribution path for the IT equipment. These datacenters are unable to sustain power outage that exceeds 10 minutes, as reported by datacenter solutions experts.
Tier 2
This level involves multiple servers and meets or exceeds the requirements of tier 1 datacenters. Datacenters within this level have 99.741% availability and possess some tolerance to scheduled downtime. Phone system is vital for this type of datacenter, as well as online revenue generation. Tier 2 datacenters are capable of sustaining 24 hours of power outage and has some redundancy in cooling and power systems.
Tier 3
Worldwide presence is available for tier 3 datacenters, since majority of revenues come from online businesses. Datacenters within this level meet or exceed all tier 1 and 2 requirements, are highly dependent on IT, have high cost of downtime, and are often highly recognized as a brand. These require dual-powered IT equipment and are able to sustain a 72-hour power outage.
Tier 4
The highest among the tiers, datacenters within this level are characterized as multi-million dollar businesses that collect majority of its revenues through electronic transactions. These have business models that are fully dependent on IT and have very high downtime costs. Tier 4 datacenters involve a 24/7 online maintenance staff and sophisticated datacenter solutions, high levels of physical security, and strict site selection criteria.
Datacenters have come a long way from its humble beginnings. These began as huge computer rooms during the early years of the computing industry and involved complicated operations and maintenance. Due to technological advancements and the era of the dot-com phenomenon, these racks of equipment have long evolved and gave birth to such innovations like Internet data centers (IDCs). The Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers names four quantifiable levels of data centers, also known as tiers.
Tier 1
This datacenter level is typically utilized by small and cash-based businesses. This provides limited online presence and perceived downtime is a tolerable inconvenience. Tier 1 datacenters are minimally dependent on information technology (IT) and have a single, non-redundant distribution path for the IT equipment. These datacenters are unable to sustain power outage that exceeds 10 minutes, as reported by datacenter solutions experts.
Tier 2
This level involves multiple servers and meets or exceeds the requirements of tier 1 datacenters. Datacenters within this level have 99.741% availability and possess some tolerance to scheduled downtime. Phone system is vital for this type of datacenter, as well as online revenue generation. Tier 2 datacenters are capable of sustaining 24 hours of power outage and has some redundancy in cooling and power systems.
Tier 3
Worldwide presence is available for tier 3 datacenters, since majority of revenues come from online businesses. Datacenters within this level meet or exceed all tier 1 and 2 requirements, are highly dependent on IT, have high cost of downtime, and are often highly recognized as a brand. These require dual-powered IT equipment and are able to sustain a 72-hour power outage.
Tier 4
The highest among the tiers, datacenters within this level are characterized as multi-million dollar businesses that collect majority of its revenues through electronic transactions. These have business models that are fully dependent on IT and have very high downtime costs. Tier 4 datacenters involve a 24/7 online maintenance staff and sophisticated datacenter solutions, high levels of physical security, and strict site selection criteria.
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