A data center is a warehouse full of computer servers, like in the 90’s action movies with the rows of black cabinets with network wires and blinking led lights.  

One ‘rack’ is like stacking 10 or 20 folded down laptops on top of each other on narrow shelves.  Lots of power needed and heat generated.  

Buildings are made to withstand a mild hurricane and have secure key card access, 24-hour techs to replace failed components and actively detect hacking intrusions.


Companies from Amazon to Citi Card to your local bank and school buy space on them to store data and run database and website queries.


The digital version of an offsite paper archive facility with warehouses full of file boxes.