Lesson 6: Behind the Scenes
What is inside a data centre?
A data centre is a physical facility that houses critical computer systems and associated components.
Here are the main parts that make up a typical data centre and what they do:
| Part | What it does |
|---|---|
| Servers | Powerful computers that store information and run apps, websites, and LLMs. |
| GPUs and CPUs | Computer chips that do calculations. GPUs are especially useful for AI. |
| Storage drives | Save huge amounts of data, like files, videos, websites, and backups. |
| Network cables | Move data in and out of the data centre at very high speed. |
| Cooling systems | Stop the computers from overheating. |
| Power systems | Keep everything running, often with backup generators and batteries. |
| Security Systems | Protect the building and the data inside it. |
Everything needed to keep the data centre running is called the infrastructure.