Data center facts for kids

A view inside data center.

A data center is a special building or a large room designed to hold many powerful computers called servers. Think of it as a super-organized home for thousands of computers that work all the time. These centers make sure that websites, apps, and online services you use every day stay up and running smoothly.

What is a Data Center?

Inside a data center, you'll find lots of servers stacked in tall racks. These servers are like very strong computers that store and process huge amounts of data. They are connected by super-fast network connections. This allows them to talk to each other quickly and share information with the rest of the world.

Why are Data Centers Important?

Data centers are super important for our modern world. Many companies use them because they need computers that are always on and always working. For example:

• Web Hosting: Companies that host websites use data centers to store all the website files. This makes sure you can visit your favorite sites anytime.
• Cloud Computing: Services like online storage or streaming videos often run from data centers. This is part of what we call cloud computing.
• Telecommunications: Phone and internet companies rely on data centers to manage their networks and keep us connected.

How Do Data Centers Work?

Running so many computers in one place creates a lot of heat. Data centers have special cooling machines to keep the servers from getting too hot. They also control the moisture in the air. This helps prevent the computers from breaking down too quickly.

To make sure everything stays online, data centers have backup power. This often comes from a large UPS (like a giant battery) or diesel generators. If the main power goes out, these backups kick in immediately. This way, your favorite websites and apps don't suddenly stop working.

Safety is also a big deal. Data centers usually have advanced fire extinguishers and systems. These are designed to put out any fires quickly and safely, protecting the valuable equipment inside.

Related pages

• Cloud computing
• Supercomputer
• Internet

Images for kids

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  ARSAT data center (2014)

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  NASA mission control computer room c. 1962

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  Racks of telecommunications equipment in part of a data center

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  Perforated cooling floor tile.

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  A typical server rack, commonly seen in colocation

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  CRAC Air Handle

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  A bank of batteries in a large data center, used to provide power until diesel generators can start

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  FM200 Fire Suppression Tanks

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  Google Data Center, The Dalles, Oregon

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  This water-cooled data center in the Port of Strasbourg, France claims the attribute green.

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  An operation engineer overseeing a network operations control room of a data center (2006)

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  An example of network infrastructure of a data center

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  A 40-foot Portable Modular Data Center

See also

In Spanish: Centro de procesamiento de datos para niños