Enigma of data centers (1)

Enigma of data centers (1) | Daily Tribune

Before we dive into the “why,” let’s step back a bit and understand what data centers are all about. The definition may be kindergarten stuff for the computer geeks out there, but I would bet my last peso the vast majority of the populace, including yours truly, are not conversant with the massive operational setup of data centers. My interest was piqued because of a recent visit by our club, the Rotary Club of Makati, to a data center owned and developed by one of our members.

Paraphrasing technology company Cisco Systems Inc.’s description as the simplest, a data center is a physical facility that organizations use to house their critical applications and data. Its design is based on a network of computing and storage resources that enables the delivery of shared applications and data.

Typical data center design components include routers, switches, firewalls, storage systems, servers and application delivery controllers. Assembled together, these components provide the basic network infrastructure that connects the servers to end-user locations. The storage infrastructure system warehouses the data, essentially the fuel and the raison d’être for a modern data center. The servers in turn provide the processing memory, local storage and network connectivity that drive the applications.

To ensure the security and uninterrupted 24/7 processing and delivery of data, a data center’s support system of hardware and software is composed of power subsystems, fire suppression, cooling systems, ventilation, uninterruptible power supplies, backup generators and connections to external networks.

In sum, far from simply being just a physical data storage and processing facility, a data center is a complex series of sophisticated systems that need to be constantly in sync to ensure the smooth delivery of the processed data to its customers.

Data centers are today among the most important structures ever invented because of man’s constant quest for improving the quality of his way of life. And yet the centers are probably among the least understood. Most people have never entered a data center. Yet nearly everyone depends on data centers every day.

This is the enigma of data centers — they are invisible to society and yet are indispensable to modern life.

Every mobile payment, every online purchase, every bank transaction, every telemed consultation, every government record, every video stream — all these and thousands more internet transactions and activities we take for granted every day happen through the magic of AI and the indefatigable, indispensable data centers.

We casually speak of “the cloud” as though our data effortlessly floats in cyberspace. In truth, the cloud sits firmly on land, housed in massive facilities that require millions, if not billions, in investments. Data centers generate employment for engineers, technicians, cybersecurity professionals and IT specialists.

Countries in our part of the world — like Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, China and Hong Kong — host these data centers, and less developed countries like the Philippines are keen to join this club of digital powerhouses. Why? Because apart from the billions in investments that boost economies, they strengthen digital capabilities and support industries from banking and telecommunications to health care and education.

At first glance, the story appears to be entirely positive. But are data centers truly a panacea for prosperity and the good life? (To be continued)

Until next week… OBF!

For comments, email bing_matoto@yahoo.com.