Modern businesses use technology to store and process data. When a business grows, it needs systems that are stable and easy to manage. Because of this, data center infrastructure management is important for many companies.
In simple terms, data center infrastructure management puts different systems into one place. It connects building systems, IT equipment, and control tools. With this system, teams can see power use, cooling, and server space in real time. This helps them manage the data center better and prevent service downtime.
What is data center infrastructure management?
Data center infrastructure management is a system that manages buildings and IT equipment in a data center. It brings building operations, IT control, and automation software into one system. This helps companies manage their hardware and keep data safe.
The system does more than store data. It checks power use, cooling systems, and equipment health. This helps teams find problems early and keep the data center running smoothly.
Understanding server size and rack units
Most data centers for companies have between 500 and 5,000 servers.According to the Pew Research Center, many data centers have about 2,000 to 5,000 servers. At the same time, smaller data centers usually have around 500 to 2,000 servers.
To arrange these servers, data centers use a simple size system called a rack unit. One rack unit, or 1U, is 1.75 inches tall. So, when a server is called 1U, 2U, or 3U, the “U” shows how much vertical space the server uses in the rack.
Space and cooling requirements
Physical space is very important in a data center. The size of the building affects layout, airflow, and equipment placement. Because of this, data centers are grouped by size.
- Small data centers usually use 5,000 to 10,000 square feet of space.
- Large enterprise data centers often use more than 10,000 square feet.
- High-density setups need strong cooling systems to avoid hardware failure.
- Good space planning helps the data center work better and grow in the future.
Servers produce heat when they run. Without good cooling, performance goes down and equipment can be damaged.
How many servers fit in one rack?
A standard 42U rack can hold 42 servers if each server is 1U. So, this rack is used a lot in the industry. This also helps data center teams plan how much space they need.
But, servers can be different sizes depending on how powerful they are. For example, high-performance servers need 2U or 4U because they have more parts. That’s why data center software tracks all these server sizes in the facility.
Building reliable infrastructure for growth
Reliable operations depend on careful planning of power supply, cooling capacity, and physical space through effective data center infrastructure management. Alongside this, strong connectivity between data centers and networks also supports business expansion.
In response to these requirements, dark fiber provides secure, high-speed, and low-latency connections for modern data centers. ARNet provides dark fiber to give fast, safe, and low-latency connections for hyperscalers and major players in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.
We own over 10,000 km of fiber and connect 60+ data centers across the region. Our network is fully built and operated in-house, with robust data center infrastructure management practices ensuring reliability and scalability for growing business needs. It includes long-distance, metro, and last-mile fiber to cover every connection requirement. This way, hyperscalers and major players enjoy stable, high-speed connections that help them perform better now and in the future.
About the Author
Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet