The Data Center is the cornerstone of the modern enterprise, providing critical computing resources and access to data for an organization's users, business partners and customer base. In short, the data center enables a company to do business. Yet a data center is much more than a "computer room."

It is a carefully planned and executed infrastructure that coordinates the physical location of equipment with power delivery and protection technologies, thermal management methods, practical workflow considerations, like staging and storage as well as lighting and security. It's essential to approach a data center construction or renovation project cautiously to ensure success.

This eBook chapter covers the following data center topics:

• Mapping out your data center construction project
• The true cost of a data center project
• Choosing the best site
• Modern data center must-haves
• Deciding whether an update or renovation is the best choice