Think of a data centre as a computer hardware warehouse. Typically, a data centre will be a secure, restricted access place where vital computer system equipment like application and database servers are stored. The idea is that storing your business’s crucial computer infrastructure in a protected environment will mitigate any risks you may be exposed to if you store them in-house such as fire or unauthorised access.
For example…
Twitter and Facebook have computer hardware equipment stored in data centres. Some Mum and Dad stores like florists, bakers and tax agents also house their vital infrastructure in data centres. The point is, data centres take out the risk involved in storing computers that run your business. Facebook recently invited journalists to it’s Oregon data centre where they discovered the massive racks of servers that host user accounts, how the temperature inside the warehouse is regulated and also how access is authorised.