DATA CENTER is a room or facility used for storing electronic equipment, such computers and/or communications equipment. As the name implies, a data center is usually maintaned by an organization for the purpose of handling the data necessary for its operations. A bank for example may have a data center, where all its customer's account information is maintained and transactions involving this data are carried out. Practically every company that is mid-sized or larger has some kind of data center with the larger data center buildings in secure locations close to telecommunications services. Most colocation centers and internet peering points are located in these kinds of facilities.

Some of the servers in the data center are used for running the basic internet and intranet services needed by internal users in the organization. Network security elements are also usually deployed as well as monitoring system for the network and some of the applications. Data center can occupy one room of a building, one or more floors, or up to the whole building.

The data center infrastructure usually consists of:

1. Precision Air Conditioning System
   This is crucial since electronic equipment in a confined space generates much excess heat, and tends to malfunction if not adequately cooled. Data center usually kept cool around 17^o C.

2. Backup Power System
   One or more uninterruptible power supplies and/or diesel generators.

3. Raised Floor
   Data centers typically have raised flooring made up of 60 cm removable square tiles. These provide a plenum for air to circulate below the floor, as part of the air conditioning system, as well as providing space for power cabling.

4. Fire Prevention System
   Data centers must have elaborate fire prevention and fire extinguishing systems.