A "data centre" is a facility that physically houses a significant amount of internet-connected computer equipment, typically servers and other such computing systems that are set up to function automatically without needing constant manual user interaction.  Some of the more common uses for these servers includes, but is not limit to, the following:

• Hosting web sites
• Hosting eMail services
• Hosting DNS (Domain Name System)
• Hosting VPNs
• Storing data (usually within databases)
• Processing data (such as cryptographic currency mining)

Servers within data centre facilities are often said to be "co-located."

Some of the major advantages of co-locating servers in a data centre is that the internet access is often faster, backup power and cooling are managed, and the site is secured in a manner that prevents unauthorized physical access.

See also

• Data
• Database
• Hardware
• Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
• VPN

Copyright © Randolf Richardson.  All rights reserved.  All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Internet site design and hosting by Inter-Corporate Computer & Network Services, Inc.