Which Data Center Model Is Best For Your Business?

Companies have been using typical in-house data centers for decades. However, things are now changing. Now, so many different data center models exist in the market. You can freely choose any of them. 

Picking the best provider is the beginning. Then comes the more complex phase of deciding which data center model suits you. In this article, we will tell you about different data models so that you can make up your mind.

The First Type: On-Site Data Centre

Companies keeping their own data centers on premise is a very old practice. Today, we have many new models in the market. However, just because it is an old model does not mean it will always be a wrong choice. Many factors could make it the best choice any company can make. Even the first reason is something as attractive as control. Yes, you have the authority when you have an in-house data center. 

Change whatever you want, expand resources as much as you think better, and consolidate the way you like. Your staff will have easy access, and what could be better than that? They can reach there physically when necessary. Also, there are security needs of every company. An in-house data center lets you adjust your security needs to whatever standards you find the best.

There are many other benefits as well. For example, you can choose as many vendors and partners as you like. This leads to great freedom of building a custom data center that fulfills your needs. Moreover, the on-site data center solution facilitates compliance and compatibility.  

Let us talk about the cons of on-premise data centers now. Yes, there are many drawbacks of the model as well. When you go for more than one vendor, the service and support become complex. The more vendors you deal with, the more service level agreements and maintenance agreements you have. 

In case of a problem, all vendors may have to collaborate. When several vendors take part, we need more time.

The Second Type: Converged Data Center

You can think of this model as an all-in-one approach to the connectivity of a data center. Usually, converged infrastructure is a pre-packaged bundle of many systems. That includes storage, networking, management software, and servers.  

Let us tell you some pros of this all-in-one data center bundle. Compatibility is the first plus point. On-site infrastructure may lack it in some cases. 

Data center management also becomes simple. Also, companies can reduce the overall footprint of current data center space.

With converged infrastructure, you only have to deal with only vendors. That makes things simple. However, you get limited features, functions, and customizable options on the flip side of the coin. As a result, the pros of on-site data centers become the cons of the converged infrastructure. Another con is the hectic methods of updating or adding extra components. It results in producing many issues. 

The Third Type: Hyper Converged Data Center

Converged infrastructure and hyperconverged infrastructure share some features. For example, both add up storage, computing, and networking into an all-in-one solution. But, then, where is the difference? The converged infrastructure is based on hardware. On the other hand, software defines the hyperconverged infrastructure.

If flexibility is your top concern, you should probably go for hyper converged infrastructure. When software empowers the data center, users do not have to face a hard time arranging and organizing. Also, scaling is convenient. Vendors manage this virtualized solution we know as hyper converged infrastructure. It is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. Also, you can connect it with many cloud computing systems. Companies can even deploy the hybrid cloud strategy. Implementation of multi-cloud strategy is also no big deal.

Both converged data centers, and hyper converged data centers bring users the same challenges. Single vendor leads to limited options. You cannot expect a large number of functions, customizable options, and features. You might be able to solve these problems by implementing a hybrid-cloud or multi-cloud strategy.

The Fourth Type: Cloud Data Center

What do you think of cloud, when you listen to it for the first time, without prior knowledge? Most will say digital storage in the sky. However, this is an incorrect definition. Cloud also refers to physical data centers built in the actual buildings. Thus, you can think of the cloud as an off-site data center. 

What happens is that the companies do not need their own data infrastructure. Instead, a third-party data center lets them rent their resources. Businesses use the internet for accessing these data resources. 

From maintenance to equipment updates, these cloud service providers handle everything. All operations related to the data center are their responsibility. A lot of cloud users do not know about it. A few examples of cloud storage are iCloud, Google Drive, Dropbox, Microsoft One Drive, and more.

Most cloud providers offer the option of pay-as-you-go. Many individuals and companies find cloud data centers the best option. They find it helpful in their business processes. Users do not have to pay for more than they need. Also, when using a cloud data center's services, they only have to upgrade when necessary.

Server updates, security, and cooling are also not the user's responsibilities. Instead, the Cloud data center is there to handle all. 

But, there are some downsides to cloud as well. One central aspect is that nothing is under your control. Physical access to the server is also not available. Also, your authority is zero regarding security options for your own storage.

The client is 100% dependent on the service provider, in short. As a result, pricing and service charges are unpredictable. In the long term, this might make the cloud an expensive alternative.

You May Also Like To Read: How A Colocation Data Center Can Benefit Your Digital Ecosystem

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