On the inside of our data centers you will find a lot of modern equipment to provide 24/7 service. Think of (emergency) generators, UPS systems (batteries), HVAC systems (cooling), and one or more meet-me rooms for network cabling:
A standard data center consists of multiple - sometimes thousands - of customers' servers, connected to the network via a very fast fiber-optic connection. These are usually placed in racks and cabinets in server rooms: these are climate-controlled, secure rooms that house the clusters of interconnected servers. LCL provides all necessary infrastructure, but in principle does not interfere with the equipment itself. Some parts of the server rooms are further secured for added safety.
Other key components of a data center are routers, switches, firewalls, storage systems, and application delivery controllers.
The options for housing equipment range in the data center from individual cabinets to cages, colocation rooms, and private rooms for improved security.
The meet-me room is the gathering place for all connectivity in the data center. Telecom operators, cloud providers, and organizations wishing to make use of their services are connected here to be able to switch quickly. From this room, a connection is made to the various racks, cages, or suites in the data center where the end customers have their equipment using cross connects. The room is secured and can only be entered by authorized staff from the data center. Our meet-me rooms are a marketplace of connectivity between Tier 1, 2, and 3 telecom providers.
LCL's data centers are equipped with technical rooms for electricity, to provide power to servers and other equipment. All servers have access to two separate power groups that operate independently of each other. UPS batteries are always charged there, to be available even in case of power failure. Backup generators also keep the data center running in case of emergency or power failure. All components of the power supply or back-up are duplicated, so that a failure in one component does not affect the operation of the servers.
The climate control (through fans and other complex HVAC equipment such as air conditioners) is crucial in a data center to keep servers and other electronic components at optimal temperature, so they don't overheat. Usually, the racks are set up in a corridor, which is climatologically separated from the rest of the rooms. Cold air is supplied via a raised floor with perforated tiles. ‘Cold corridors’ also contribute to efficient climate control. Sensors in the floor monitor the moisture level and immediately bring any leaks to light. As with the power supply, all elements of the climate control are redundant.
Security is a priority concern in a data center. That's why LCL's data centers are designed with biometric verification and multiple layers of physical security, 24/7 security personnel, and other access control systems.
A data center is accessible 24/7. That's why there is always specialized staff present for permanent monitoring.
Interested in a visit to our data centers? We are happy to open our doors to schools, businesses, hospitals, and anyone who is curious about the workings of a data center.
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