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A data center is a highly secure and specialised building where servers and other critical infrastructure – such as networking equipment, storage, and power management – work together to support everything from cloud services to real-time communication. Data centers form the backbone of today’s digital world, ensuring data flows where and when it’s needed.
But what is inside a data center? Behind secured doors lies a world of precision, divided into dedicated data center rooms. These include server halls, cooling systems, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), backup generators, and fire protection systems – all designed to ensure continuous, round-the-clock operations.
And don’t worry, you’re not seeing double. Inside a data center facility, everything is duplicated. It’s a principle called redundancy. By doubling critical infrastructure, a data center ensures that if one system fails, another takes over. Both systems operate independently to keep everything running smoothly, without interruption.
Below you find a detailed overview of the structure of a data center. The numbered elements correspond to components in the technical cross-section.
1. Connectivity
A data center without connectivity is just a room full of blinking servers. What makes it truly valuable is its ability to connect with the outside world. In a data center, connectivity ensures that data can be accessed, transferred, and exchanged – anytime and anywhere. That’s why fibre cables enter the building through multiple, physically separated routes converging in what we call meet-me-rooms.
2. Fire detection and suppression systems
A data center is built with fire safety in mind to protect not only the equipment and data, but also the people working inside. Traditional fire extinguishing methods, such as water or foam, are unsuitable in this environment, as they can seriously damage sensitive electronic equipment. That’s why data centers are equipped with advanced fire suppression systems. These systems automatically release inert gases that reduce the oxygen level in the affected area to a point where fire can no longer sustain itself, without harming the equipment or endangering staff.
3. Meet-me room (MMR)
The meet-me-room (MMR) is a secure, central hub for all connectivity within the data center. It’s where telecom carriers, service providers, and organisations connect to each other and to their clients. From the MMR, cross-connections are made to customer racks, cages, or private rooms throughout the facility. Because traffic is exchanged entirely within the data center, there is no need to route data through external networks, which significantly improves efficiency and performance. Our data centers are carrier-neutral, allowing customers to choose from multiple carriers and select the one(s) that best align with their business needs.
4. Transformers
The main power feeds enter the data center from the external grid and are first directed to transformers. These transformers convert high or medium voltage into low voltage, making it suitable for use within the facility. The transformed power is then routed to Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, which ensure a stable and continuous power supply to the data center infrastructure.
5. Server room
A standard data center hosts multiple—often hundreds or even thousands—of servers each supporting critical applications and data for different customers. These servers are typically housed in racks and cabinets located within access-controlled server rooms. To ensure optimal performance, the environment is carefully climate-controlled: temperature and humidity are continuously monitored and regulated to prevent overheating. Servers are interconnected using structured cabling and patching systems. Depending on their needs, customers can choose between a private client room or a shared (colocation) environment. Even in shared spaces, each client’s servers are securely isolated to ensure that only authorised personnel can access them.
6. Backup generators
In the event of a blackout, backup generators take over as the primary power source until the issue is resolved. These generators, typically fueled by diesel or natural gas, will activate automatically when they detect an interruption of power, preventing any loss of power. This ensures that the data center remains fully operational at all times. Since generators take a few seconds to start, a UPS (see number 6) immediately supplies power to bridge that short delay.
Redundancy is essential here as well. It adds another layer of precaution: if the A feed fails, the B feed takes over seamlessly. Meanwhile, the UPS and backup generators ensure continuous power, even if both feeds are disrupted. Every layer supports the next to guarantee maximum uptime.
7. Cooling system
Just like your personal computer can warm up after running for a while, servers in a data center also produce heat during continuous operation. To keep everything running smoothly, data centers rely on advanced cooling systems that maintain a stable temperature and efficient airflow. However, as cooling consumes energy, it’s important to make data centers as energy efficient as possible. The effectiveness of a data center's energy use is typically measured by its Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). Lower PUE values indicate higher efficiency, meaning less energy is wasted on cooling and other non-IT operations. To achieve this, many data centers implement free cooling techniques, which make use of outside air or natural cooling methods to reduce reliance on compressors (most energy intensive component in cooling)—especially effective in colder or temperate climates as in Belgium.
Furthermore, from a sustainable point of view, it is important to use green power sources and know exactly where the electricity comes from. Ideally, it is locally generated renewable energy, which contributes to a more sustainable digital infrastructure.
8. Renewable energy
Renewable energy sources are essential in reducing the environmental footprint of data centers. By harnessing solar and wind power, data centers can play a key role in the shift towards a more sustainable digital future. At LCL, we are proud to be driving this transition.
LCL is firmly committed to renewable energy. Our energy infrastructure includes a 3,300-panel solar park in Gembloux, 6,000 rooftop panels on three farms across Flanders (the first local CPPA in Belgium), and three self-owned wind turbines with a total capacity of 6.9 megawatts. These initiatives reflect our long-term vision for energy independence, cost stability, and sustainable growth.
9. Fuel tank
The fuel tank of a data center plays a critical role in ensuring business continuity. It stores the (renewable) fuel required to power the emergency generator in case of a power outage. This generator serves as a backup energy source, keeping essential infrastructure such as servers and cooling systems operational. Its capacity is designed to support the data center's energy needs for an extended period, depending on the size and Tier level of the facility.
10. Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS)
A data center must be able to rely on a continuous and redundant power supply. Since power outages can never be completely ruled out, robust backup systems are put into place to eliminate any risk of downtime. As mentioned earlier in the section on transformers (5), Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) systems play a crucial role in this setup. They provide instant emergency power from their batteries the moment the main feed fails. This ensures a seamless handover while the backup generators are automatically activated. A UPS can usually supply power for at least half an hour. That is enough time to bridge the gap between grid failure and generator takeover.
11. Network operations center (NOC)
In the Network Operations Center (NOC), thousands of data points are constantly monitored to ensure everything in the data center runs as it should. This includes temperature, humidity, power supply, connectivity, and the status of all critical systems. The NOC acts as the command center of the data center, overseeing performance, security, and availability in real time. It plays a key role in ensuring uninterrupted operations by detecting issues early, coordinating rapid responses, and scheduling preventive maintenance.
12. Physical security
Security is a top priority for data centers, and that includes physical security. To protect the large volumes of sensitive data stored on-site, data centers often implement multiple layers of physical safeguards. The outer perimeter is usually secured with gates, perimeter fencing, and controlled access points to prevent unauthorised entry. Inside the facility, measures such as keycard systems, surveillance cameras, and biometric verification add further protection. Each data center applies a combination of these tools to ensure only authorised personnel can access critical areas like server rooms. To complement these systems, trained security guards are usually present 24/7 to monitor activity, check credentials, and respond immediately when needed. Each data center combines these measures to create a highly secure environment from the outside in.
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