History of Data Centers

Most people today have no recollection of when computers first became available for business use. Back when a computer system was complex and large, and even required a special operating environment. However these first computer rooms from the 1960's and 70's were the grandfather of today's modern and efficient data centers which require people with specialized computer skills to manage.

Those large complicated computers needed many different cables and components so the need to design and implement mounting racks, cable trays, and even elevated floors was necessary. Computer rooms had to have security because the computers were so expensive and often contained classified information. Initially the government mainly used computers and military due to the expense and space needed as well as the skills required to operate them. In addition, these computers required a lot of power and had to have cooling systems in the room to prevent overheating. Thus, the beginning of the special training required for data center management teams.

During the early 80's computers became more of a normal business staple, still requiring additional components and wiring, but on a more manageable scale. Believe it or not, these were called "micro" computers. The size and ease of these computers meant that there was a drop in the need for an actual data center to use the computer to run a business.

In the late 80's the increased complexity of information technology or IT operations reinstated the need for a data center to control the IT resources within a company. This moved the main computer or server back into the data center room with satellite computers located throughout the company. This enabled individuals to have a computer in their offices without all of the additional equipment needed for networking being in there. However, the internet wasn't a staple of business back then and the main thing that the system required was ample storage and a wired network between all of the computers and components.

As the 90's came in, networking equipment costs came down and new cabling standards made it possible to expand on this idea of a data center with servers in one specific room. The computer room or data center is essentially the "brain" of the company. These data centers used and improved upon the old designs with mounting racks, elevated floors and cable sleeves to make the room neat and efficient without a lot of clutter. Regulated temperature control and security measures were added, including a specific team of IT personnel to control the data center.

Data centers are still evolving today, with the advent of wireless technology and laptop computers, even cell phones and PDA's, the access of employees in a business is still first and foremost. With special IT and data center management teams handling the servers and other components, the data center helps insure that everyone from the president of the company down to the secretaries have working computers and internet access through their computers without ever having to deal with the numerous wires, hard drives, external devices, and networking challenges that are contained within the data center.