# TRG Datacenters > Where experience meets reliability for exceptional data centers. --- ## Pages - [Austin Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/austin-colocation/): For an unparalleled Austin Colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. Now Preleasing 2026 Austin at $115/kW + E up to the first MW - [Top Cloud Service Providers in Houston](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/cloud-services-houston/): - [Top IT Disaster Recovery Service Providers in Houston](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/it-disaster-recovery-services-houston/): - [NVIDIA A100 Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/nvidia-a100/): - [NVIDIA H100 & H200 Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/nvidia-h100/): - [Top Managed Service Providers in Houston](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/managed-it-services-houston/): - [Resources for AI / GPU colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resources-for-ai-gpus/): - [Dallas Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/dallas-colocation/): For an unparalleled Dallas Colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. Now Preleasing 2025 Dallas at $115/kW + E up to the first MW - [San Francisco Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/san-francisco-colocation/): Colo+, our fully managed colocation, includes migrations within 12 hours, exceptional rack management, and unrivaled data center service. - [Free The Cross Connects](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/free-the-cross-connects/): - [Austin Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/austin-data-center/): Our data center for Austin is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Partner Program](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partner-program/): Earn competitive referral fees and residual commissions when you recommend TRG Datacenters to your prospects and customers. Learn about our Partner Program. - [Partner Lead Registration](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partners/lead-registration/): - [Partner Sign Up](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partners/sign-up/): Interested in becoming a partner for TRG Datacenters? Sign up to earn commissions by recommending our top-tier colocation and data center services. - [Partners](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partners/): - [Careers](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/careers/): - [Get a Quote](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/get-a-quote/): Looking for a colocation quote? Let us help you get started with our consultative approach to right sizing and right tiering your deployment. Our sales team is dedicated to creating a long term partnership that is valued by your organization. - [Compliance](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/compliance/): - [High Density Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/high-density-colocation/): Find out why our high density colocation is industry leading. Explore the many benefits we offer at our data center. - [Cage Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/cage-colocation/): Our cage colocation is unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - [Data Center Suites](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/data-center-suites/): Our data center suites are unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - [Full Rack Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/full-rack/): Our full rack colocation plan is unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - [Half Rack Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/half-rack/): Our half rack colocation plan is unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - [Colocation Services](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/): For an unparalleled colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. - [Interconnection Services](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/interconnection-services/): Improve your network’s reliability & performance with our carrier-neutral, fiber rich interconnection services - [AI Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/ai-colocation/): Find out why our AI colocation is industry leading. Explore the many benefits we offer at our data center. - [Chicago Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/chicago-data-center/): Our data center for Chicago is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Moving Your Servers](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/moving-your-servers/): - [Our Unique Approach](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/our-unique-offerings/): - [Book A Tour](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/book-a-tour/): Interested to see our data center in person? Let us know your preferred dates/times and we'll follow up as soon as possible. We'll be happy to show you everything and answer all your questions. - [Colocation Buyers Guide](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation-buyers-guide/): - [GPU Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/gpu-colocation/): Find out why our GPU colocation is industry leading. Explore the many benefits we offer at our data center. - [Houston CIO](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/houston-cio/): - [Total Estimated Cost](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/total-estimated-cost/): - [Dallas Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/dallas-data-center/): Our data center for Dallas is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Element Critical Houston vs TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/element-critical-houston-vs-trg/): - [Data Foundry Houston vs TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/data-foundry-houston-vs-trg/): - [Netrality Houston vs TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/netrality-houston-vs-trg/): - [Equinix Houston vs TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/equinix-houston-vs-trg/): - [Digital Realty Houston vs TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/digital-realty-houston-vs-trg/): - [Cyrus One Houston vs TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/cyrus-one-houston-vs-trg/): - [DataBank Houston vs. TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/databank-houston-vs-trg/): - [Stream Datacenters vs TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/stream-datacenters-vs-trg/): - [Energy](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/energy/): Find out why our data centers for energy companies offer the best solutions. Explore the many benefits of our industry-leading data centers. - [MSP/Hosting](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/msp-hosting/): Discover why our data centers for MSP & hosting offer the best solutions and explore the range of benefits for organisations. - [Government/Education](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/government-education/): Find out why our data centers for government and education offer the best solutions and the many benefits they offer to organisations. - [Healthcare](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/healthcare/): Find out why our data centers for healthcare offer the best solutions and the many benefits they offer for organizations. - [MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/master-services-agreement/): - [Resources](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resources/): - [Atlanta Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/atlanta-data-center/): Our data center for Atlanta is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [New Orleans Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/new-orleans-data-center/): Our data center for New Orleans is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Baton Rouge Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/baton-rouge-data-center/): Our data center for Baton Rouge is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Louisiana Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/louisiana-data-center/): Our data center for Louisiana is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Houston Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/houston-colocation/): For an unparalleled Houston Colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. Our facility uniquely features cutting-edge capabilities such as waterless cooling, indoor generators, and infinite fuel sources to provide the highest level of convenience, reliability and uptime for our clients. - [Colo+](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colo-plus/): Our Colo+ service is expertly designed to handle the complexities of colocation equipment management, allowing you to concentrate on strategic business operations without any need to engage directly in physical logistics. - [Disaster Recovery Data Center Solutions](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/disaster-recovery/): There are three main strategies a company could plan with when it comes to securing their data. These are: business continuity, disaster recovery, and backup data. - [News](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/news/): - [About Us](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/about-us/): Experience and trusted professionals with 20+ years of 100% uptime. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Houston Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/houston-data-center/): Our Houston data center is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - [Contact](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/contact-us/): Looking for a colocation datacenter? Let us help you get started with our consultative approach to right sizing and right tiering your deployment. Our sales team is dedicated to creating a long term partnership that is valued by your organization. - [Home](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/): Where experience meets reliability for exceptional data centers. Backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. --- ## Posts - [Colo+ Makes Downtime a Thing of the Past for a High-Performance DevOps Company](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/making-downtime-a-thing-of-the-past/): Veertu, a California-based software company, opted for our Colo+ service in its recent data center move. The company develops software for macOS and iOS - [Sales Surge for a National Car Wash Leader Following Move to TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/sales-surge-following-move-to-trg/): Houston-based car wash company White Water Express needed a reliable service to support its online sales. The company’s top concern was downtime. Shortly - [Why Resilient IT Infrastructure is Critical for Houston Businesses in 2025 ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/why-resilient-it-infrastructure-is-critical-for-houston-businesses-in-2025/): The storms of 2024 were a wake-up call for businesses in Houston, exposing vulnerabilities in the city’s power grid and IT infrastructure. As we look - [Creating connectivity for autonomous vehicles](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/creating-connectivity-for-autonomous-vehicles/): Bot.auto, an autonomous vehicle company came to us looking for a data center that could accommodate a number of very complex needs. The dynamic startup - [IT Infrastructure Company Prepares for Growth with Full Redundancy ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/it-infrastructure-company-prepares-for-growth-with-full-redundancy/): NETdepot, an IT infrastructure company came to us looking for a data center capable of delivering a truly uninterrupted power supply. Power was a real - [Announcing the Launch of Megaport Services in Houston ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/megaport-cloud-connectivity-houston/): We're excited to announce the launch of Megaport, offering clients enhanced global connectivity and peering from our Houston location - [Fully Managed Colo for a California-based Generative AI Company ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/fully-managed-colo-for-a-california-based-generative-ai-company/): Breakpoint AI, a San-Francisco based company, came to us looking for a data center that could accommodate its very specific requirements. The company - [Stability and Security for a Fast-Growing AI Company ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/stability-and-security-for-a-fast-growing-ai-company/): A growing AI company came to us looking for a stable and secure facility that would support its needs both now and in the future.  The client was - [Snapstream Makes Full Use of Colo+ & Free Remote Hands-on](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/snapstream-makes-full-use-of-colo-free-remote-hands-on/): Snapstream is well-known for its live video clipping product, which is used by organizations looking to create narratives and improve their influence. The - [An Emergency Migration for Ensite](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/an-emergency-migration-for-ensite/): Engineering and Management Consulting company Ensite needed a fast solution to an urgent problem. The company had been discussing a move to TRG with our - [Liberty Lift Invests in 100% Uptime](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/liberty-lift-invests-in-100-uptime/): Liberty Lift, an oil and gas service company specializing in lift and pump systems and equipment, sought our help in improving its uptime and reliability. - [TechEdge Opts for Disaster Proofing with TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/techedge-opts-for-disaster-proofing-with-trg/): TechEdge, a leading supplier of IT services, had been plagued by power outages that were starting to cause real headaches for its team. The last straw was - [100% Uptime During Hurricane Beryl](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-hurricane-beryl/): Identifying The Risk Through its journey into the Yucatan peninsula and into the gulf, the TRG team tracked Hurricane Beryl hourly. Due to the angle of - [Announcing Partnership With Antarctica Capital, Intent To Expand Nationally](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/announcing-partnership-with-antarctica-capital-intent-to-expand-nationally/): The partnership enables us to accelerate nationwide expansion, taking our flagship Colo+ product to more markets. As you may know, TRG was founded in 2018 - [CloudNine Relocates its Network Infrastructure](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/cloudnine-relocates-its-network-infrastructure/): CloudNine, a cloud-based software provider from Houston, Texas, recently sought the help of TRG Datacenters with its own network infrastructure. - [Enstor Makes the Move to TRG](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/enstor-makes-the-move-to-trg/): Enstor, one of America's largest natural gas storage operators, came to TRG Datacenters looking for a solution to its power problems. - [100% Uptime During Unnamed June 2023 Storm](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-unnamed-june-2023-storm/): Identifying The Risk In June 2023, a sudden storm system from the North defied all expectations, rapidly moving through Houston and presenting unforeseen - [100% Uptime During Hurricane Nicholas](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-hurricane-nicholas/): Identifying The Risk As the Gulf of Mexico stirred in early September 2021, we at TRG Datacenters were alerted to a brewing hurricane. With forecasts - [TRG Datacenters Given Priority Restoration as a Critical Load Customer](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/trg-datacenters-given-priority-restoration-as-a-critical-load-customer/): CenterPoint Energy, the electricity and gas utility that supplies our Houston data centers, has confirmed our designation as a non-residential critical - [Introducing codename: SIGMA & the World’s First Grid Supporting Green Data Center Design](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/code-name-sigma-and-the-worlds-first-grid-supporting-green-data-center-design/): We are excited to announce the world’s first fully fault tolerant grid supporting data center design - and it’s ours. Alongside this, we are looking ahead - [100% Uptime During Storm Uri](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-storm-uri/): During the record winter storm that left Texas in a statewide power emergency, we used our generators to keep customers online and reduce the load on the - [TRG Datacenters Announces Expansion](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/trg-datacenters-announces-expansion/): Houston, Texas, December 24th--- TRG Datacenters is beginning construction on Phase 2 of their Spring, TX data center. This expansion will allow for an - [100% Uptime During Hurricane Laura](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-hurricane-laura/): Identifying The Risk August 2020 presented ominous signs for us at our Houston data center. Alerts highlighted a potential hurricane rapidly intensifying - [A Summary of 2019 Technology Policy in the Texas Legislature](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/a-summary-of-2019-technology-policy-in-the-texas-legislature/): The Texas State Legislature meets every 2 years for 140 calendar days beginning second Tuesday in January. That is, unless the Governor calls for special --- ## Resources - [The World's Most Energy-Independent Countries Ranked](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-worlds-most-energy-independent-countries-ranked/): Following a massive April 28 blackout that cut nearly 60% of Spain’s power in just five seconds, TRG Datacenters launched... - [Data Center Latency: How to Reduce It](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-latency-how-to-reduce-it/): Learn how to measure, diagnose, and cut data center latency for faster apps - step-by-step tips and success stories - [What Is a Trunk Cable and How Are Trunk Cables Used in Data Centers?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-trunk-cable/): Learn what a trunk cable is and how trunk cables help companies streamline data center cabling, improve scalability, and support high-density environments. - [What is Hybrid IT? ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-hybrid-it/): Hybrid IT blends cloud and on-premise infrastructure. Learn more about the concept, including how it works and how it helps modern organizations, today. - [What is an Internet Exchange?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-an-internet-exchange/): Internet exchange points improve global internet speed and reliability. Learn what an internet exchange is, how it works, and why it matters today. - [GPU: Graphics Processing Unit Explained](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-graphics-processing-unit-explained/): Learn all about graphics processing units (GPUs), including what they are, how they work, and the world’s top GPU manufacturers today. - [Spine and Leaf Architecture: The New Standard for Modern Network Design?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/spine-and-leaf-network-architecture/): Discover how spine and leaf architecture enables scalable, low-latency networking and why it's replacing legacy three-tier topologies in modern network design - [History of Data Centers: From Server Rooms to AI-Driven Powerhouses](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/history-of-data-centers/): Discover how data centers evolved from early server rooms in the 1950s to today’s AI-driven giants straining global power grids, shaping the future of the digital economy. - [Disaster Recovery Sites: Hot, Warm, and Cold Explained](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-site-types/): Learn the differences between hot, warm, and cold disaster recovery sites, and why hybrid IT strategies using colocation offer resilience without the hidden costs of cloud-only solutions. - [How Microgrids and DERs Will Solve the Data Center Power Crisis](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/microgrids-data-centers/): Discover how microgrids and distributed energy resources (DERs) are redefining power strategy in the data center industry, enabling scalability for AI workloads. - [Data Center Fire Suppression: Built for Precision, Not Panic](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-fire-suppression/): Learn why dry pipe dual-interlock fire suppression systems are the industry standard for data centers. Explore how TRG Datacenters protects critical infrastructure with precision fire control. - [The Best Open Source LLMs in 2025: What Matters, What’s Leading, and Why It’s Evolving Fast](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-open-source-llms-2025/): Explore the top open source large language models (LLMs) in 2025. Learn how companies and researchers are using these models in AI applications, R&D, and real-world systems. - [How Hurricane Categories Impact Utility Providers and Data Centers](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/hurricane-categories-data-center-impacts/): Discover how hurricanes of every category can disrupt utilities and data centers. Learn how the TRG Datacenters Houston Campus is built to withstand 185+ MPH winds and extended outages. - [How to Calculate Bandwidth Requirements for Your Colocation Environment](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-calculate-bandwidth-requirements-for-your-colocation-environment/): Colocation customers often overpay for unused bandwidth. Learn how to calculate your real bandwidth needs and choose the right service tier for your data center environment. - [What is MRC vs NRC? Recurring Charges vs One Time Setup Fees](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-mrc-vs-nrc/): Learn the key differences between Monthly Recurring Charges (MRC) and Non-Recurring Charges (NRC) in telecom and data centers. See how we simplify pricing with no MRC cross-connect fees and competitive NRCs. - [80% NEMA Rule: What Happens When You Underprovision Power?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-80-percent-rule-nema/): Description: Running over 80% of your power allocation in a colocation data center puts uptime, performance, and future growth at risk. Here's what happens when you underprovision power—and how to fix it. - [NVIDIA Blackwell vs. Blackwell Ultra B300 – Which Should You Buy? Is It Worth Waiting?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-blackwell-vs-blackwell-ultra-b300-comparison/): Comparing NVIDIA's Blackwell B200 and Blackwell Ultra B300 GPUs for AI and data center workloads. Find out which GPU offers better performance, value, and long-term scalability. - [What is GPU As a Service?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-gpu-as-a-service/): Discover how GPU as a Service empowers faster AI, high-performance computing, and scalable GPU resources with TRG Datacenters. - [Redundant Links in Networking: Failover & High Availability](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/redundant-links-networking/): Learn how to set up redundant links in data center networking to prevent downtime. Explore failover solutions, blended internet services, and multi-carrier redundancy for high availability - [Understanding Wire Gauges: AWG, Amperage, Diameter, and Resistance](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-wire-gauges/): Learn how wire gauge affects power distribution. Understand amperage limits, resistance, voltage drop, and best practices for choosing the right wire size for power circuits to maximize efficiency and meet NEC requirements. - [The Importance of Diverse Fiber Routes in Data Centers](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/diverse-fiber-routes-data-center/): Connectivity is the lifeline of a data center. Without diverse fiber routes, dual entrances and meet me rooms (MMRs), businesses are one cut cable away from disaster. Learn why network resilience matters just as much as power and cooling. - [Rack and Stack: The Process Explained](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/rack-and-stack/): Explore the rack and stack process, detailing the physical installation and configuration of IT equipment within data center racks, including assembly, mounting, cabling, and optimal deployment strategies - [ Moves, Adds and Changes (MAC) - Everything You Need to Know about Them](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/moves-adds-and-changes/): Understand the significance of moves, adds, and changes (MAC) in data center operations, including examples and the critical role they play in maintaining system efficiency - [Data Center Hot Aisle Containment - How Technicians Can Identify and Improve It](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-hot-aisle-containment/): Learn about the importance of hot aisle containment in data centers, with practical tips for technicians to enhance cooling efficiency and prevent equipment overheating - [The Future of Meet-Me Rooms](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/meet-me-rooms/): Explore the evolving role of meet-me rooms in data centers, highlighting their benefits in facilitating secure, efficient interconnections and the impact of free cross-connects on cost and growth - [Liquid Cooling vs Immersion Cooling: What's the Difference?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/liquid-cooling-vs-immersion-cooling/): Discover the key differences between liquid and immersion cooling and choose the most efficient data center thermal management method. - [Data Center Power: Tackling AI Data Centers Demands](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-power/): Explore how AI drives data center power demands, plus strategies for efficient cooling and infrastructure. - [Single Mode vs Multimode: The Right Choice for Your Network](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/single-mode-vs-multimode-fiber-comparison/): Learn the real differences between single mode and multimode fiber. Understand core size, bandwidth, distance, and cost to choose the right fiber optic cable for your needs. - [AI Inferencing vs Training: What's the Difference?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/ai-inferencing-vs-training-whats-the-difference/): Discover the key differences between AI training and inference, learn use cases, and optimize your AI lifecycle for real-world success. - [Optimize Your IT Budget with Our Data Center Assessment](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-assessment/): Ensuring your data center operates efficiently is crucial for optimizing your IT budget, and you may be unknowingly sitting on... - [What is Cloud Direct Connect?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-cloud-direct-connect/): Discover how Cloud Direct Connect provides a secure, private link to the cloud for better performance, lower latency, and cost savings. - [How Are AI Data Centers Changing Infrastructure?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-are-ai-data-centers-changing-infrastructure/): Explore how AI data centers transform power, cooling, and design for next-gen computing at TRG Datacenters. - [OSI Model Explained: The 7 Layers Every Networking Pro Must Know](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/osi-model-explained/): What is the OSI model? Learn the 7 layers of the OSI model explained with real-world applications, a TCP/IP comparison, and why it still matters in networking today. - [Rack-Mounted Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS): Reliable Power for Single-Corded Devices](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/rack-mounted-ats-power-redundancy/): Discover how a rack-mounted Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) ensures power redundancy for single-corded IT equipment, preventing downtime and protecting critical operations in data centers, network closets, and more - [Best VMware Alternatives in 2025: Is It Time for a New Cloud Strategy?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-vmware-alternatives-cloud-strategy/): Explore VMware alternatives, including Hyper-V, OpenStack, and Nutanix. Learn how to optimize cloud infrastructure, reduce costs, and secure your cloud strategy after the VMware-Broadcom acquisition. - [Houston’s Energy Revolution: How HPC is Powering Oil and Gas](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/houston-energy-revolution-hpc-oil-and-gas/): Explore how Houston’s oil and gas companies use high-performance computing (HPC) and AI to transform seismic imaging, reservoir modeling, and drilling optimization, driving faster, more efficient energy production - [What Is kVA? Understanding kVA, kW, and How to Calculate kVA](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-kva-how-to-calculate/): Discover what kVA is, how it differs from kW, and how to calculate it. Learn its importance in electrical systems, diesel generators, transformers, and more. - [Elucidating on AWS GPU Pricing: Learn What Makes a Difference](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/aws-gpu-pricing/): Learn the fundamentals of AWS GPU pricing and everything you need to know about GPU instances, cost models, influencing factors, and cost optimization. - [NVIDIA Blackwell GPU: Revolutionizing AI and Deep Learning](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-blackwell/): Discover the NVIDIA Blackwell GPU's revolutionary architecture. Unmatched performance for AI, deep learning, and accelerated computing. - [NVIDIA DGX Buyers Guide: Everything You Need to Know](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-dgx-buyers-guide-everything-you-need-to-know/): Learn about NVIDIA DGX, a cutting- edge AI development platform that includes all necessary hardware and software for AI innovation at scale. Discover where to buy it from and how to store it. - [AMD Instinct MI300X vs. NVIDIA H100](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/mi300x-vs-h100/): The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has intensified the demand for high-performance computing solutions. Two... - [What is Hybrid Cloud Management?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-hybrid-cloud-management/): Learn what hybrid cloud management is and how to optimize costs, performance, and security across cloud environments. - [Best Practices for Data Center Automation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practices-for-data-center-automation/): Discover strategic, operational, and technical best practices to elevate data center automation at TRG Datacenters. - [How GPUs Fuel the Growth of AI and Machine Learning](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-for-ai/): Learn how GPUs drive the efficiency of AI systems, enabling rapid training, large-scale data processing, and faster inference across industries. - [NVIDIA GPUs H200 vs. H100 - A detailed comparison guide](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200-vs-h100/): As the global leader in AI hardware, NVIDIA is continuously researching and innovating GPU architecture for next-generation AI workloads. NVIDIA... - [NVIDIA H200 Price Guide](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200-price-guide/): The NVIDIA H200 is the latest NVIDIA GPU made using Hopper architecture. It is a memory-upgraded version of the H100... - [H100 vs RTX 4090: Which GPU is Right for You?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/h100-vs-4090/): Explore how NVIDIA H100 and RTX 4090 stack up in AI workloads, deep learning, and gaming. Which GPU meets your needs? Let’s find out. - [What is Data Center Virtualization? A Complete Guide](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-visualization/): Learn what data center virtualization is, its benefits, and how it transforms IT efficiency with TRG Datacenters. - [The Best GPUs for Machine Learning in 2025 ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-gpus-for-machine-learning/): Discover the best GPU for machine learning. Compare top GPUs for AI, deep learning, and high-performance computing to make the right choice. - [NVIDIA H100 Price - Is It Worth the Investment?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h100-price/): The NVIDIA H100 is a cutting-edge GPU chip based on the NVIDIA Grace-Hopper architecture. With 80 billion transistors and a... - [Analyzing The 5 Best NVIDIA Data Center GPUs ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-data-center-gpus/): Explore the best NVIDIA data center GPUs, their unique architectures, use cases, and how TRG Data Centers offers optimized solutions for your needs. - [Is the NVIDIA H200 Available?—All Your H200 Questions Answered](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200/): The NVIDIA H200 GPUs, released in mid-2024, are widely available in most countries. While some supply constraints remain, you can... - [NVIDIA H200 vs. Blackwell: Which Should You Buy for Your AI and ML Workloads?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200-vs-blackwell/): Compare NVIDIA H200 vs. Blackwell GPUs: costs, performance, release dates, and lifespan to decide the best choice for your AI and ML workloads. - [NVIDIA H100 Power Consumption and Its Impact on High-Performance Computing](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h100-power-consumption/): Planning on buying NVIDIA’s immensely powerful H100? Considering the H100 power consumption, it might or might not be the best choice. Here is why. - [H200 Power Consumption: Powering the Strongest GPU](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/h200-power-consumption/): Explore the H200 power consumption and discover what makes this powerful GPU ideal for high-performance computing. Learn how to manage its energy demands. - [GPU for Inference: How to Choose the Best One?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-for-inference/): Discover how the right GPU for inference can transform your business. Explore our guide to choose the best NVIDIA inference solutions for your business - [What is An Edge Data Center?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-an-edge-data-center/): Discover what edge data centers are, how they work, and why they’re essential for faster, efficient data processing with TRG Datacenters. - [What is a Virtual Data Center?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-virtual-data-center/): Discover what a virtual data center is and how it enhances scalability, flexibility, and disaster recovery for modern businesses. - [Best CPU for AI: Top Picks for 2025](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-cpu-for-ai/): Explore the best CPU for AI applications, including deep learning and machine learning. Find the ideal AI CPU that fits your needs and make the best choice. - [NVIDIA GPUs H100 vs. A100 - Architecture, Performance, and Cost Comparison](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/h100-vs-a100/): NVIDIA GPUs H100 and A100 GPUs represent the cutting edge of AI acceleration. Initially designed for tasks like rendering images... - [Choosing the Ideal Deep Learning GPU for AI](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/deep-learning-gpu-for-ai/): Discover the best deep learning GPU for AI projects. Explore key requirements, top picks, performance tips, and affordable solutions in this guide - [A Comprehensive Guide to Colocation Hardware | From AI to Z](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/a-comprehensive-guide-to-colocation-hardware/): Discover the essential guide to colocation hardware selection. Learn how to future-proof your IT infrastructure with insights on servers, storage, AI/GPU integration, and hypervisors from top brands like Dell, HPE, and more. Download the whitepaper now! - [What is Network as a Service (NaaS) and How It’s Changing Networking](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-network-as-a-service-naas/): Discover what Network as a Service (NaaS) is and how it simplifies networking. Learn about benefits, use cases and related technologies like SASE/SD-WAN - [Building a Business Case for Colocation in Your 2025 IT Budget](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/business-case-for-colocation-it-budget/): Learn how colocation services can optimize costs, enhance disaster recovery, support AI/ML workloads, and solve latency challenges in your 2025 IT budget - [Software-Defined Data Center Explained](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/software-defined-data-centers-explained/): Learn how software-defined data centers (SDDC) transform IT infrastructure for efficiency and scalability at TRG Datacenters. - [Choosing the Best GPU for AI: Balancing Performance and Budget](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-gpu-for-ai/): Find out how to select the best GPU for AI, with tips on evaluating performance, energy efficiency, and features for AI image generation and deep learning workloads. - [GPU vs CPU for AI: Which Is Best for Your Business?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-vs-cpu-for-ai/): Discover how GPUs and CPUs for AI can enhance your business. Learn effective strategies to unlock their potential and strengthen your AI infrastructure - [Training GenAI Models from Scratch: Challenges and Best Practices](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/training-genai-models-from-scratch-challenges-and-best-practices/): Explore the critical stages of training a Generative AI model from scratch—from data preparation to alignment—and learn strategies to overcome key challenges. - [Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning and Foundational Models Explained](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/machine-learning-vs-deep-learning/): Discover key differences between machine learning, deep learning, and foundation models, and see how these essential AI concepts work together to shape modern technology. - [Best Practices for Data Center Storage Management](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practices-for-data-center-storage-management/): Discover the best practices for data center storage management to optimize performance, ensure reliability, and control costs effectively. - [Data Center Power Consumption Predicted to Double by 2030](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-power-consumption-predicted-to-double-by-2030/): Data center power consumption is rising rapidly, and attention is starting to turn to what looks set to become a... - [What is Data Center Networking?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-networking/): Data center networking involves the combination of a number of different resources, such as switching, routing, load balancing and analytics.... - [What is Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)? ](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-infrastructure-management/): Learn how data center infrastructure management can help you make your facility more efficient and secure. - [Top Restaurants, Hotels and Business Centers Near our Houston Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/top-restaurants-hotels-and-business-centers-near-our-houston-data-center/): Our Houston data center is conveniently located near both the I-45 and the I-99. It’s been strategically located here to... - [What is Data Center Architecture?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-architecture/): Data center architecture refers to the physical and logical layout of a data center, encompassing its hardware, software, and network resources. - [Unlocking Savings: Why Buying NVIDIA H100 GPUs Beat AWS Rental Costs](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/unlocking-savings-why-nvidia-h100-gpus-beat-aws-rental-costs/): The speed at which AI, machine learning and high-performance computing are advancing is leading to difficult decisions for businesses in... - [What We Owe The Future of Houston](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-we-owe-the-future-of-houston/): An open letter to the city of Houston from our CEO, Chris Hinkle A Personal Note Hurricane Beryl has tremendously... - [Why did the internet and cell phones go out in Houston during Hurricane Beryl?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-did-the-internet-and-cell-phones-go-out-in-houston-during-hurricane-beryl/): TLDR: Just about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong Hurricane Beryl Lead Up – Wind Event Conversation It... - [Google Search Data Reveals USA Most Interested in AI Relationships](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/google-search-data-reveals-usa-most-interested-in-ai-relationships/): It’s been described as “Her” in real life. The Spike Jonze-directed science fiction film follows the lead character as he... - [Data Center Migration: A Complete Guide](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-migration/): Learn what data center migration is, how to expertly plan, and the best practices to ensure a seamless migration process. - [What is Dark Fiber?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-dark-fiber/): If you’re looking to future-proof your connectivity, dark fiber could be just the thing you need. These fiber optic cables... - [What is a Cross Connect?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-cross-connect/): When it comes to choosing a data center, it’s vital that you opt for one with the best connectivity options... - [The Ultimate Guide to Data Center Certification Standards](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-certification-guide/): Download Now – The Ultimate Guide to Data Center Certification PDF – All major IT compliance and certification standards and definitions for data centers and the cloud - [What Are Data Center Operations?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-are-data-center-operations/): Data center operations include a wide range of activities and processes involved in managing and maintaining continuity within such facilities. - [What is Driving Data Center Sustainability Today?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-driving-data-center-sustainability-today/): Familiarizing yourself with the trends that drive data center sustainability will help you create a future-focused facility and preserve continuity. - [What is Data Center Redundancy?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-redundancy-explained/): Data center redundancy is achieved by duplicating components and providing backup options in the event of power interruptions, equipment failures, or breakages. - [Cloud vs Colocation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cloud-vs-colocation/): What's right for you? Find out the differences, advantages & disadvantages between cloud vs colocation and find out here. - [Network Modernization: Present and Future](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/network-modernization-present-and-future/): Investing in network modernization is the key to future-proofing your businesses. Here’s everything you need to know about network modernization. - [What is a Colocation Cabinet?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-colocation-cabinet/): A colocation rack cabinet is a widely-used option that sees a number of different tenants share a cabinet in a... - [Network Speed vs. Bandwidth: What’s the Difference?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/network-speed-vs-bandwidth/): Understanding the difference between network speed vs. bandwidth will help you determine your company’s connectivity needs. - [Data Center Colocation RFP Template](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-colocation-rfp-template/): Download your free data center colocation RFP template here. Packed with everything you need to know about colocation, the template... - [Cloud Data Centers Explained](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cloud-data-centers-explained/): Learn what cloud data centers are, how they work, why they’re important, and why they will be important for businesses in the future. - [Understanding Colocation Pricing and How It Works](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-colocation-pricing/): Understanding colocation pricing will help you make informed data management decisions for your business and keep IT costs manageable. - [What Are Modular Data Centers, and Can They Help?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-are-modular-data-centers/): Modular data centers provide flexibility and scalability, enabling your business to adapt to changing IT needs. Find out how they can help today. - [Data Center Checklist](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-checklist/): When it comes to finding a data center there’s a lot of criteria to assess. It’s easy to forget key... - [Power Configuration for AI Computing](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/power-configuration-for-ai-computing/): The capabilities of artificial intelligence now, and in the future, really are mind boggling. But with awe-inspiring functionality comes an... - [Single Phase and Three Phase Power: What’s the Difference?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/single-phase-and-three-phase-power/): Learn about single phase and three phase power. What is single phase power? What is 3 phase power? How to calculate single phase and 3 phase power. - [What to Look Out For in a Master Services Agreement](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-to-look-out-for-in-a-master-services-agreement/): Master services agreements are a vital part of the relationship between a data center and its customers. - [Human Error & Alarm Fatigue](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/human-error-alarm-fatigue/): Recent research published by Uptime shows that both the frequency and severity of data center outages is now on the... - [How We Can Reduce Your IT Costs](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-we-can-reduce-your-it-costs/): And improve reliability at the same time Here are five ways colocation with us can reduce your costs, all while... - [The Most Deleted Social Media Apps in 2023](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-most-deleted-social-media-apps-in-2023/): Despite the popularity of social media, the apps can quickly fall in and out of favour with users. Which social media apps did people delete in 2023? - [What Are Data Center Solutions?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-are-data-center-solutions/): Explore what data center solutions are, why they’re so important for businesses, and how to implement them effectively. - [The Role and Purpose of Data Center GPUs](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-role-and-purpose-of-data-center-gpus/): Explore the crucial role and purpose of GPUs in data centers, how to implement them, and whether AI can play a vital role. - [Disaster Recovery Plan](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-plan/): We’ll take you through the strategies and tools you need to build a disaster recovery plan that works for your business. - [What is Retail Colocation?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-retail-colocation/): Explore valuable insights into the world of retail colocation and its role in powering the modern business environment. - [How Are AI Demands Affecting Data Center's Growth?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-are-ai-demands-affecting-data-centers-growth/): Learn about the relationship between AI and data centers, exploring how AI capabilities are driving the evolution, expansion, and transformation of these hubs. - [App permissions: Which iOS and Google Play Store app is the most invasive?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/app-permissions-which-ios-and-google-play-store-app-is-the-most-invasive-2/): In the last two decades, the leap in personal technology ownership has been extreme. The advent of smartphones, and the... - [Understanding Data Center Security](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-data-center-security/): Delve into data center security with TRG Datacenters. Uncover the blend of physical and digital measures ensuring robust protection for your crucial data. - [What is Data Center Management?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-management/): Learn about data center management – what it consists of, the challenges, and what makes it so important to modern enterprises today. - [37signals is Expected to Make $7 Million By Leaving The Cloud](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/37signals-expected-to-make-seven-million-leaving-cloud/): Understand why 37signals' founder, David Heinemeier Hansson, recently announced that the company was leaving cloud services behind. - [What Is Colocation? (And What Is a Colocation Data Center?)](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-colocation/): Colocation is the practice of renting space for servers and other computing hardware in a third-party facility. Instead of building,... - [What is Managed Colocation?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-managed-colocation/): Managed colocation is a service that enables organizations to lease out space in a colocation center to house their hardware... - [Dropbox Left the Cloud in 2015 and Never Went Back](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/dropbox-left-the-cloud-in-2015-and-never-went-back/): Dropbox made a significant decision in 2015, opting to reduce its dependence on cloud services, notably during a period of... - [What is Software Defined Infrastructure?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-software-defined-infrastructure/): The rapid growth of cloud and virtualization technologies over the past several decades has seen the emergence of news ways... - [Cloud Repatriation: What Lies Beyond the Hype](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cloud-repatriation-what-lies-beyond-the-hype/): Optimize cost, performance & secure application deployment by strategically placing workloads. Read TRG’s ungated paper Cloud Repatriation: What Lies Beyond the Hype - [AI Chatbots: Energy usage of 2023’s most popular chatbots (so far)](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/ai-chatbots-energy-usage-of-2023s-most-popular-chatbots-so-far/): Advancements in artificial intelligence have continued to accelerate over the course of this year, bringing with them innovation on a... - [Ahrefs Rejected the Cloud and Saved $400 Million](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-ahrefs-rejected-the-cloud/): This is the first in a new series of blogs unpacking the reasons behind a growth in apprehension towards cloud-based services - [What Is Containerization?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-containerization/): In computing, the term containerization refers to a common deployment process whereby an application’s code is combined with the required... - [Top Benefits of Edge Computing](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/top-benefits-of-edge-computing/): When it comes to edge computing, there are several key benefits and drawbacks to consider. Edge computing can help organizations... - [What is Data Center Design?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-design/): In this article, we will explore what makes up effective data center designs to help you understand why certain decisions are made when it comes to setting up your environment. - [Managed IT Services](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/managed-it-services/): From managing your network administration to cybersecurity, managed IT services can help you achieve improved IT efficiency and overall business productivity. - [Understanding Data Center Interconnection](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-data-center-interconnection/): There are many factors that businesses must consider when choosing a data center. And of course some should be given... - [Is the US workforce ready for a virtual reality workplace?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/is-the-us-workforce-ready-for-a-virtual-reality-workplace/): The way in which we work has changed dramatically in recent years. A growing trend towards remote working was accelerated... - [Data Center Relocation: How to Plan Successfully](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-relocation-how-to-plan-successfully/): Successful data center relocations are the result of huge amounts of careful project planning, which starts long in advance of... - [What is a Hyperscale Data Center?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-hyperscale-data-center/): Discover what hyperscale data centers are, how they work, their benefits, and the future trends shaping modern IT infrastructure. - [Colocation Relocation: Seven Common Mistakes to Avoid](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/colocation-relocation-seven-common-mistakes-to-avoid/): To make sure your relocation runs smoothly, we’ve put together a list of some of the relocation mistakes we see... - [The Hidden Cost Considerations of Data Center Ownership](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-hidden-cost-considerations-of-data-center-ownership/): Not only is data center ownership an expensive endeavor, but it can also come with a fair few hidden costs... - [What is Data Archiving?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-archiving/): Data archiving avoids creating a muddle of information, seeking instead to bring data together and expand the opportunities that it... - [What Is Network Redundancy?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-network-redundancy/): Explore what network redundancy is, the main types and whether there are any downsides to network redundancy. - [Fashion & NFTs: Which brands are the least environmentally aware?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/fashion-nfts-which-brands-are-the-least-environmentally-aware/): A scientific report estimates that on a global level 35% of the microplastics found in oceans can be traced back... - [High Availability vs Fault Tolerance](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/high-availability-vs-fault-tolerance/): Learn about high availability vs fault tolerance as we look at the key differences between them, such as cost, complexity, and the nature of the services it provides. - [Cryptocurrency and the Impact of Twitter](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cryptocurrency-and-the-impact-of-twitter/): - [Understanding Datacenter Cooling Tech](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-datacenter-cooling-tech/): Explore the intricacies of data center cooling technology and dive into the latest methods and innovations used to maintain optimal temperatures in data centers. - [Bandwidth vs Latency: What's the Difference?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/bandwidth-vs-latency-whats-the-difference/): Discover the difference between bandwidth and latency and learn practical solutions to optimize your network for improved speed and reliability. - [Data Center Monitoring](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-monitoring/): What is data center monitoring and what is its importance for remote workers - [Why Scalability is Essential for Enterprise Success](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-scalability-is-essential-for-enterprise-success/): Network scalability is essential for enterprise success, because it allows a company to upscale, or downsize, as and when it needs to. - [The Importance of Power Usage Effectiveness in a Datacenter](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-importance-of-power-usage-effectiveness-in-a-datacenter/): When choosing a datacenter, you might look at its guaranteed uptime, its security, or even its customer reviews. But there’s another metric you should also consider: Power usage effectiveness (PUE). - [What Is Hyperconvergence?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-hyperconvergence/): Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) is a software-defined IT infrastructure that virtualizes all of the elements of conventional ‘hardware-defined’ systems. - [The most popular NFT’s of 2021](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-most-popular-nfts-of-2021/): TRG Datacenters has analysed Google Trends data to see which NFT’s - of the ones that have sold for the most this year - have been searched for the most online worldwide. - [Will Datacenters Ever Run Out of Data Storage Space?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/will-datacenters-ever-run-out-of-data-storage-space/): It’s unlikely that we’ll have to worry about a shortage of data storage anytime soon. While physical space is a constraint, the world has not maxed out its current data storage. - [Managed Hosting Vs Colocation: The Key Differences](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/managed-hosting-vs-colocation/): If you’re wondering if managed hosting vs colocation is best for you, it helps to understand the differences, and similarities, between the two. - [Considerations for Choosing a Server Cabinet](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/considerations-for-choosing-a-server-cabinet/): To help you choose the right server cabinet, we help you understand the different types and the pros and cons each one offers. - [What is a Data Center Rack?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-data-center-rack/): A data center rack is a type of framework that is usually made from steel and houses your servers, cables, and other equipment. - [4 Characteristics of a Top Tier Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/4-characteristics-of-a-top-tier-data-center/): Which of the data center services works best for you will depend on factors such as your budget, your needs, and the expertise available to you. - [Rack Power Distribution & PDU Success Cookbook](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/rack-power-distribution-pdu-success-cookbook/): This guide is meant to provide some simple recommendations to quickly solve at least 95% of your problems with physical... - [Why We Do Colo+](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-we-do-colo/): An Introspective By Chris Hinkle, CEO Flash back to 2019. We had just signed another deal, a hard fought victory... - [Disaster Decoded - Houston](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-decoded-houston/): Hurricane Force Winds According to the NOAA Inland Wind Model, in the worst-case scenario category 5 hurricane our datacenter would... - [Should a Server be Relocated?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/should-a-server-be-relocated/): If you’ve got a big office move planned, you’ll likely need to relocate your server. This might sound like a relatively simple task, but in reality, it can be far more difficult than most people imagine - [What Does a Data Center Technician Do?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-does-a-data-center-technician-do/): Learn what a datacenter technician does, what skills are required to be one and unknown facts about technicians you may not know. - [Data Center Relocation or Migration: Your Checklist](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-relocation-or-migration-your-checklist/): Take a look at our data center relocation checklist to get started, and you’ll soon have all the information you need to start exploring the options of relocation or migration. - [How Secure is Your Data Center?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-secure-is-your-data-center/): Find out more about the factors to ensure your datacenter is secure. - [Best Practices for Data Center Cabling](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practices-for-data-center-cabling/): Great data center cable management can make a huge difference to the overall performance of a business. With the complexity of systems increasing, and the demands on IT facilities growing, it’s time for companies to prioritize their data center cable management. - [A Guide to Data Center Power Design and Infrastructure](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/a-guide-to-data-center-power-design-and-infrastructure/): Few things are as important to the running of data centers as power. Without power, no data center could support its customers’ systems, and businesses would quickly grind to a halt. Here’s everything you need to know about data center power design, in a nutshell! - [Best Practice for Building and Installing Server Cabinets](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practice-for-building-and-installing-server-cabinets/): Take a look at our best practice guide and you’ll soon know all there is to know about how to build and install server cabinets. - [How to Calculate Disaster Recovery Cost](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-cost-breakdown/): If you’re considering whether or not your business needs a disaster recovery plan, the chances are it does. Learn more about how to calculate disaster recovery pricing and who needs one. - [What Makes a Data Center Fault Tolerant?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-makes-a-data-center-fault-tolerant/): A high level of fault tolerance can make a real impact in terms of the reliability of a data center, but it’s not the only thing that companies need to consider. Datacenter downtime can also be avoided by practicing fault avoidance. - [Which Cryptocurrency is the Most Environmentally Friendly?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/most-environment-friendly-cryptocurrencies/): With concern over the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies growing, increasing numbers of investors are looking for new ways to enjoy the benefits of digital currencies. - [How Can Remote Hands Increase Efficiency?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-can-remote-hands-increase-efficiency/): With remote hands, teams can hand over all kinds of tasks to their data center, freeing up much-needed time and ensuring reliability for all manner of complex processes. - [Explaining Server Rack Dimensions](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/explaining-server-rack-dimensions/): Learn more about the dimensions of server racks, how wide they are and what you need to know about the various height recommendations. - [VPLS vs MPLS: What's the Difference?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/vpls-and-mpls-whats-the-difference/): While VPLS and MPLS are similar in what they do, the ways in which they work are remarkably different. - [Understanding Different Types of DDoS Attacks and How To Protect Against Them](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-different-types-of-ddos-attacks/): A DDoS attack is a type of cyber crime which aims to take down a server, service or network by overwhelming it with huge amounts of traffic. - [What Is Data Center as a Service (DCaaS)?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-as-a-service-dcaas/): Known as Data Center as a Service, or DCaaS, this hosting service enables companies of all sizes to take full advantage of the highest quality IT infrastructure, complete with all the security and support teams need. - [Disaster Recovery Colocation: Improve Your IT System Safety](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-colocation/): A great disaster recovery plan is vital for any business, but even more so if a company would be left unable to operate should its systems go down unexpectedly. - [Data Center Strategy & Its Effect on Customer Experience](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-strategy/): When determining the impact of data center strategy and its effect on customer experience, it is important to consider the... - [How Scalable is On-Prem?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-scalable-is-on-prem/): For most businesses, the advantages of housing data in a specialist data center rather than within a company’s own headquarters... - [The US’ Favorite Streaming Services](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/us-favorite-streaming-services/): For consumers, the appeal of watching almost anything, anywhere, at any time and with zero interruptions, has grown to outweigh... - [Cost Reduction Strategies For Disaster Recovery](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cost-reduction-strategies-for-disaster-recovery/): If you’re thinking about ways in which your company could improve its disaster recovery plans, take a look at some of our top cost reduction strategies. - [How to Adapt your Enterprise IT to the Remote Working Landscape](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-adapt-your-enterprise-it-to-the-remote-working-landscape/): Take a look at the following ideas to make sure your colleagues are getting the most out of their home working experience. - [How and Why Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Works](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-and-why-software-defined-networking-sdn-works/): Software-defined networking takes network services and network hardware, and separates them. In doing so, it allows IT professionals to start designing and building their own networks. - [Why We Do Free Remote Hands On](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-free-remote-hands-on/): In late 2018 when we opened TRG, we decided to make remote hands-on and cross-connects free (see this article on... - [Why We Do Free Cross Connects](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/free-cross-connects/): Cross connects, which are one of the primary revenue centers for many traditional data center companies, are entirely free when... - [Circuit Breaker Coordination Considerations](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/breaker-coordination-considerations/): Breaker Coordination Considerations For Switching Mechanical Load In Data Centers Breaker coordination is a fundamental consideration in any electrical design.... - [How Much Does a Data Center Cost](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-much-does-a-data-center-cost/): Data Center Cost: Key Considerations You can get fully equipped for as little as about $600 dollars per month to... - [How to Build Your Own Data Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-build-your-own-data-center/): Perhaps you are moving to a new office, or like many others, realize that the cloud does not provide the... - [5 Easy Steps for Assessing Data Center Reliability](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/assessing-data-center-reliability/): I know data centers. As an Accredited Tier Designer from the Uptime Institute, I have operated multiple data centers, personally... - [How to Buy Colocation in 3 Easy Steps](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-buy-colocation-in-3-easy-steps/): With this simple step by step guide, we will show you how to find the right data center and get a good deal. - [Why Digital Transformation Fails](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-digital-transformation-fails/): It's no secret that "Digital Transformation," the latest zeitgeist of cloud initiatives and source of new Titles at large companies has, the majority of the time, failed to achieve its objectives. - [Are Mobile Devices a Threat to Your Network Security?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/are-mobile-devices-a-threat-to-your-network-security/): Mobile devices do come with an element of risk, and can leave businesses exposed to dangerous security threats if the right defences aren’t put in place. - [Network-Enabled Colocation and Why it Matters](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/network-enabled-colocation-and-why-it-matters/): In the world of constant uptime and an ever-growing IoT, it’s never been more important to think about how and where you access your data. - [What to Consider Before Creating an Edge Strategy](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-to-consider-before-creating-an-edge-strategy/): In the simplest terms, edge strategy refers to an organization re-optimizing existing products or services to generate more revenue. - [The True Cost of Downtime in The Event of Disaster](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-true-cost-of-downtime-in-the-event-of-disaster/): IT downtime can impact an organization in numerous ways, including losses in sales and damaged brand reputations. As such, it’s often difficult to calculate the actual costs incurred. - [Should You Implement Software Defined Networking?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/implementing-software-defined-networking/): Software Defined Networking (SDN) has grown from strength to strength in recent times. With such advancement, it’s no wonder why SDN has become a trusted solution that is offered by many prominent vendors. - [How to Prevent Zero Day Attacks](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-prevent-zero-day-attacks/): Once cybercriminals gain access to your systems via zero-day attacks, they will likely begin infecting your network. How to prevent zero day attacks? - [What is DRaaS and What are DRaaS Providers?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/draas-and-draas-providers/): Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is an outsourcing model that allows an organization’s servers to be backed up by a third-party using cloud-based infrastructure. - [5 IT Infrastructure Monitoring Tools That Make Your Job Easier](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/5-it-infrastructure-monitoring-tools-that-make-your-job-easier/): IT infrastructure is not just important but crucial for many organizations, in various industries. As the role networks play in... - [The Cybersecurity Talent Shortage & What CEO’s Can Do](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-cybersecurity-talent-shortage-what-ceos-can-do/): Cybersecurity talent is in high demand during the tech sector boom. It’s not easy to attract and retain the best... - [Optimizing Digital Power From the Fourth Industrial Revolution](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/optimizing-digital-power-from-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/): The first industrial revolution released humankind from relying on animal power to plant crops, and travel. Those mighty steam engines... - [How to Rate the PUE and DCIE of your Datacenter](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/using-pue-and-dcie-benchmarks-to-rate-your-power-efficiency/): Power usage efficiency (PUE) is the total power your data center consumes over the energy your computer equipment uses. Data center infrastructure efficiency (DCiE) is the reciprocal value expressed as a percentage. - [How to Obtain the Four Benefits of Virtualization](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-obtain-the-four-benefits-of-virtualization/): One of the main benefits of virtualization is the reduction of costs while maintaining their high service levels. Data virtualization is a great way to get more out of the same, or fewer resources. - [Six Healthcare Technology Trends and Their Impact on IT Infrastructure](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/healthcare-technology-trends-and-it-infrastructure/): Queues at medical providers will grow shorter thanks to patients using mobile and electronic technology to assess their health and self-diagnose problems. - [Data Security, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-security-artificial-intelligence-and-digital-transformation/): Artificial intelligence and the fifth industrial revolution are all the rage in the media. Social sites are leading us into... - [The Three Foundations of Data Center Operations](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-three-foundations-of-data-center-operations/): Data center technology is evolving rapidly to keep track of changes in its operating environment. Despite the complexity of the... - [Improving Data Center Efficiency 3 Ways of Continuous Improvement](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/improving-data-center-efficiency-3-ways-of-continuous-improvement/): Improving data center efficiency is coming under increasing pressure to keep moving forward in the right direction. - [Data Center Availability: Moving from Fault Tolerance to Fault Avoidance](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-availability-moving-from-fault-tolerance-to-fault-avoidance/): Tier 4 data centers host mission-critical computers and servers with backup facilities intended to keep them running independently regardless of... - [Should You Consider Bitcoin Mining from a Colocation Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/should-you-consider-bitcoin-mining-from-a-colocation-center/): A decent rented bitcoin mining colocation space should be an environment with power, networks, and cooling able to island and keep operating despite what’s happening outside the walls. - [6 Smart Ways to Keep Your Personal Information to Yourself](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/6-smart-ways-to-keep-your-personal-information-to-yourself/): An alarming number of people still fall for personal data phishing scams despite best efforts by authorities. These cyber-attacks fall... - [Backup, Business Continuity and Why You Need a Disaster Recovery Strategy](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/backup-business-continuity-and-why-you-need-a-disaster-recovery-strategy/): In a nutshell, you need a copy of your data backed up elsewhere, so your business can continue operating if you are unable to use the original source. - [Is Leasing Colocation Space a Smart Idea? Here Are 5 Good Reasons Why](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/is-leasing-colocation-space-a-smart-idea-here-are-5-good-reasons-why/): Two predictions for the upcoming future. Firstly, the mechanization of basic work is going to require a huge amount of... - [What Is a Permanent DoS (PDoS) Attack and Can I Stop It?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-permanent-dos-pdos-attack-and-can-i-stop-it/): How to protect your data from a vicious PDoS attack, including what to look out for and how to address it as quickly as possible. - [How to Make Optimum Use of Your Data Colocation Center](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-make-optimum-use-of-your-data-colocation-center/): Placing your backup servers and other equipment in the care of a colocation data center is a great way to achieve more, while paying less. - [How Much Money Do You Need to Keep Going While Recovering From A Disaster](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-keep-going-while-recovering-from-a-disaster/): It can be a serious mistake to underfund your plans for business continuity and recovery from disasters. This is because... - [Data Centers, How Do they Work in Practice?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-centers-how-do-they-work-in-practice/): Most people know what a data center is, but do they know how they actually work? In this article we explain the practicalities of running a data center. - [Texas Data Center Markets Are Booming](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/texas-data-center-markets-are-booming/): Texas data center markets, including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have become some of the most popular locations in the US. - [Data Center Tiers Explained: The Role of the Uptime Institute](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-tiers-explained-the-role-of-the-uptime-institute/): Learn about what data center tiers are, the different tiers, and how the Uptime Institute ensures top performance and reliability. - [What Is A Colocation Data Center?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-colocation-data-center/): Clients lease or rent space for their data carrier equipment in colocation centers, or ‘carrier hotels’. These are becoming increasingly... - [What is the strategy behind the location of our Houston Data Center?](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-the-strategy-behind-the-location-of-our-houston-data-center/): The 2017 Harvey Hurricane and Florence in 2018 taught important lessons about protecting data centers from flooding. While this is... - [Lessons to Learn: How Houston Data Centers Prevailed Over Harvey](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/lessons-to-learn-how-houston-data-centers-prevailed-over-harvey/): Extreme hurricanes, tornados, droughts, and heat waves have affected the North American mainland for as far back as records go,... - [How to Design a Data Center for Security and Usability](https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-design-a-data-center-for-security-and-usability/): Multiple levels of security can be thought of in terms of probability theory. Say for example I want to prevent... --- # # Detailed Content ## Pages ### Austin Colocation > For an unparalleled Austin Colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. Now Preleasing 2026 Austin at $115/kW + E up to the first MW - Published: 2025-01-09 - Modified: 2025-05-30 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/austin-colocation/ --- ### Top Cloud Service Providers in Houston - Published: 2024-11-11 - Modified: 2024-11-11 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/cloud-services-houston/ --- ### Top IT Disaster Recovery Service Providers in Houston - Published: 2024-11-11 - Modified: 2024-11-11 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/it-disaster-recovery-services-houston/ --- ### NVIDIA A100 Colocation - Published: 2024-11-08 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/nvidia-a100/ --- ### NVIDIA H100 & H200 Colocation - Published: 2024-11-04 - Modified: 2025-02-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/nvidia-h100/ --- ### Top Managed Service Providers in Houston - Published: 2024-10-31 - Modified: 2024-11-11 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/managed-it-services-houston/ --- ### Resources for AI / GPU colocation - Published: 2024-10-23 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resources-for-ai-gpus/ --- ### Dallas Colocation > For an unparalleled Dallas Colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. Now Preleasing 2025 Dallas at $115/kW + E up to the first MW - Published: 2024-10-18 - Modified: 2025-05-30 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/dallas-colocation/ --- ### San Francisco Colocation > Colo+, our fully managed colocation, includes migrations within 12 hours, exceptional rack management, and unrivaled data center service. - Published: 2024-09-18 - Modified: 2025-04-22 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/san-francisco-colocation/ --- ### Free The Cross Connects - Published: 2024-08-30 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/free-the-cross-connects/ --- ### Austin Data Center > Our data center for Austin is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2024-07-22 - Modified: 2024-10-21 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/austin-data-center/ --- ### Partner Program > Earn competitive referral fees and residual commissions when you recommend TRG Datacenters to your prospects and customers. Learn about our Partner Program. - Published: 2024-07-17 - Modified: 2024-07-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partner-program/ --- ### Partner Lead Registration - Published: 2024-07-17 - Modified: 2024-07-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partners/lead-registration/ --- ### Partner Sign Up > Interested in becoming a partner for TRG Datacenters? Sign up to earn commissions by recommending our top-tier colocation and data center services. - Published: 2024-07-17 - Modified: 2024-07-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partners/sign-up/ --- ### Partners - Published: 2024-07-17 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/partners/ --- ### Careers - Published: 2024-06-04 - Modified: 2024-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/careers/ --- ### Get a Quote > Looking for a colocation quote? Let us help you get started with our consultative approach to right sizing and right tiering your deployment. Our sales team is dedicated to creating a long term partnership that is valued by your organization. - Published: 2024-05-13 - Modified: 2024-05-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/get-a-quote/ --- ### Compliance - Published: 2024-04-19 - Modified: 2024-05-01 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/compliance/ --- ### High Density Colocation > Find out why our high density colocation is industry leading. Explore the many benefits we offer at our data center. - Published: 2024-04-11 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/high-density-colocation/ --- ### Cage Colocation > Our cage colocation is unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - Published: 2024-03-12 - Modified: 2024-09-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/cage-colocation/ --- ### Data Center Suites > Our data center suites are unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - Published: 2024-03-12 - Modified: 2024-09-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/data-center-suites/ --- ### Full Rack Colocation > Our full rack colocation plan is unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - Published: 2024-03-11 - Modified: 2024-09-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/full-rack/ --- ### Half Rack Colocation > Our half rack colocation plan is unparalleled, with 100% uptime, free remote hands on & cross connects. Trust our expert team with three generations of experience - Published: 2024-03-11 - Modified: 2024-09-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/half-rack/ --- ### Colocation Services > For an unparalleled colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. - Published: 2024-03-05 - Modified: 2025-05-30 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation/ --- ### Interconnection Services > Improve your network’s reliability & performance with our carrier-neutral, fiber rich interconnection services - Published: 2024-02-28 - Modified: 2025-04-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/interconnection-services/ --- ### AI Colocation > Find out why our AI colocation is industry leading. Explore the many benefits we offer at our data center. - Published: 2024-02-28 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/ai-colocation/ --- ### Chicago Data Center > Our data center for Chicago is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2024-02-22 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/chicago-data-center/ --- ### Moving Your Servers - Published: 2024-01-29 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/moving-your-servers/ --- ### Our Unique Approach - Published: 2024-01-08 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/our-unique-offerings/ --- ### Book A Tour > Interested to see our data center in person? Let us know your preferred dates/times and we'll follow up as soon as possible. We'll be happy to show you everything and answer all your questions. - Published: 2024-01-04 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/book-a-tour/ --- ### Colocation Buyers Guide - Published: 2023-12-11 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colocation-buyers-guide/ --- ### GPU Colocation > Find out why our GPU colocation is industry leading. Explore the many benefits we offer at our data center. - Published: 2023-10-13 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/gpu-colocation/ --- ### Houston CIO - Published: 2023-09-20 - Modified: 2025-04-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/houston-cio/ --- ### Total Estimated Cost - Published: 2023-04-21 - Modified: 2024-01-21 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/total-estimated-cost/ --- ### Dallas Data Center > Our data center for Dallas is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2023-04-18 - Modified: 2024-12-12 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/dallas-data-center/ --- ### Element Critical Houston vs TRG - Published: 2022-10-10 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/element-critical-houston-vs-trg/ --- ### Data Foundry Houston vs TRG - Published: 2022-10-05 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/data-foundry-houston-vs-trg/ --- ### Netrality Houston vs TRG - Published: 2022-10-05 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/netrality-houston-vs-trg/ --- ### Equinix Houston vs TRG - Published: 2022-10-05 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/equinix-houston-vs-trg/ --- ### Digital Realty Houston vs TRG - Published: 2022-10-05 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/digital-realty-houston-vs-trg/ --- ### Cyrus One Houston vs TRG - Published: 2022-10-05 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/cyrus-one-houston-vs-trg/ --- ### DataBank Houston vs. TRG - Published: 2022-10-05 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/databank-houston-vs-trg/ --- ### Stream Datacenters vs TRG - Published: 2022-09-28 - Modified: 2025-06-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/stream-datacenters-vs-trg/ --- ### Energy > Find out why our data centers for energy companies offer the best solutions. Explore the many benefits of our industry-leading data centers. - Published: 2022-09-05 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/energy/ --- ### MSP/Hosting > Discover why our data centers for MSP & hosting offer the best solutions and explore the range of benefits for organisations. - Published: 2022-08-29 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/msp-hosting/ --- ### Government/Education > Find out why our data centers for government and education offer the best solutions and the many benefits they offer to organisations. - Published: 2022-08-29 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/government-education/ --- ### Healthcare > Find out why our data centers for healthcare offer the best solutions and the many benefits they offer for organizations. - Published: 2022-08-29 - Modified: 2025-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/healthcare/ --- ### MASTER SERVICES AGREEMENT - Published: 2021-08-20 - Modified: 2024-12-28 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/master-services-agreement/ --- ### Resources - Published: 2020-08-23 - Modified: 2024-01-05 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resources/ --- ### Atlanta Data Center > Our data center for Atlanta is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2020-06-24 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/atlanta-data-center/ --- ### New Orleans Data Center > Our data center for New Orleans is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2020-01-29 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/new-orleans-data-center/ --- ### Baton Rouge Data Center > Our data center for Baton Rouge is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2020-01-29 - Modified: 2024-05-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/baton-rouge-data-center/ --- ### Louisiana Data Center > Our data center for Louisiana is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2020-01-09 - Modified: 2025-04-22 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/louisiana-data-center/ --- ### Houston Colocation > For an unparalleled Houston Colocation experience, trust our expert team with three generations of experience. Our facility uniquely features cutting-edge capabilities such as waterless cooling, indoor generators, and infinite fuel sources to provide the highest level of convenience, reliability and uptime for our clients. - Published: 2019-12-17 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/houston-colocation/ --- ### Colo+ > Our Colo+ service is expertly designed to handle the complexities of colocation equipment management, allowing you to concentrate on strategic business operations without any need to engage directly in physical logistics. - Published: 2019-10-10 - Modified: 2025-04-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/colo-plus/ --- ### Disaster Recovery Data Center Solutions > There are three main strategies a company could plan with when it comes to securing their data. These are: business continuity, disaster recovery, and backup data. - Published: 2019-03-29 - Modified: 2024-09-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/disaster-recovery/ --- ### News - Published: 2018-09-27 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/news/ --- ### About Us > Experience and trusted professionals with 20+ years of 100% uptime. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2014-11-17 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/about-us/ --- ### Houston Data Center > Our Houston data center is strategically located, with top-notch facilities, rigorous organizational practices, and exceptional customer service, that delivers hassle-free operations backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2014-11-17 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/infrastructure/houston-data-center/ --- ### Contact > Looking for a colocation datacenter? Let us help you get started with our consultative approach to right sizing and right tiering your deployment. Our sales team is dedicated to creating a long term partnership that is valued by your organization. - Published: 2013-10-29 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/contact-us/ --- ### Home > Where experience meets reliability for exceptional data centers. Backed by our management team’s 20-year 100% uptime track record. Enjoy our commitment to excellence. - Published: 2013-10-29 - Modified: 2025-04-22 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/ --- --- ## Posts ### Colo+ Makes Downtime a Thing of the Past for a High-Performance DevOps Company > Veertu, a California-based software company, opted for our Colo+ service in its recent data center move. The company develops software for macOS and iOS - Published: 2025-05-27 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/making-downtime-a-thing-of-the-past/ - Categories: Case Studies Veertu, a California-based software company, opted for our Colo+ service in its recent data center move. The company develops software for macOS and iOS products, with native virtualization for macOS technology. It had been relying on a data center in Israel, but poor communication and slow response times meant a shaky service that was holding the company back. The problem: Costly outages caused by slow service The physical location of the company’s previous data center wasn’t the only issue. Veertu told us that they often faced unexpected outages, but these were largely down to lags in response times and poor communication with the data center team. If remote hands on or other services were needed, for example, Veertu would typically have to wait two days or more for a response to their requests. Veertu approached TRG looking for a speedy service its team could rely on, to allow them to grow the business, safe in the knowledge that services wouldn’t be interrupted at a moment’s notice. TRG’s solution: Fully Managed Colocation: Colo+ What the Veertu team clearly needed was a fully managed service, so Colo+ was our recommendation. Switching to Colo+ would mean Veertu could look forward to stable, reliable support for the first time, with all the complexities of equipment management looked after on their behalf. All the physical logistics of a move are handled with Colo+, from decommissioning racks at a previous data center to setting them up in their new home. The service also includes all the... --- ### Sales Surge for a National Car Wash Leader Following Move to TRG > Houston-based car wash company White Water Express needed a reliable service to support its online sales. The company’s top concern was downtime. Shortly - Published: 2025-04-23 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/sales-surge-following-move-to-trg/ - Categories: Case Studies Houston-based car wash company White Water Express needed a reliable service to support its online sales. The company’s top concern was downtime. Shortly after moving in at its previous data center, the business experienced an outage that lasted almost a full day. It significantly impacted sales and affected its bottom line. The team came to us looking to avoid such a scenario ever happening again. And Colo+ fit the bill perfectly. The problem: An unreliable service incapable of supporting future growth White Water Express has 130 locations nationwide, and prides itself on the customer service its team offers. But the car wash giant couldn’t provide the standout service it had become known for when faced with unexpected outages. The team also wanted to upgrade their gear to ensure they could provide a lightning-fast service for all customers both now and in the future. The company has ambitious growth plans for the coming years, so it needed a data center where it could scale. TRG’s solution: Colo+ fit for the future The team had reservations about the prospect of third party vendors moving gear and were also concerned about insulation during the transition. However, our engineers soon put their minds at rest, recommending a service where everything would be handled in-house on their behalf: Colo+. With Colo+, all physical logistics are handled by TRG engineers. We go to a company’s existing data center, decommission racks, securely pack servers and ship everything safely to our facility. We then set up racks, arranging... --- ### Why Resilient IT Infrastructure is Critical for Houston Businesses in 2025  > The storms of 2024 were a wake-up call for businesses in Houston, exposing vulnerabilities in the city’s power grid and IT infrastructure. As we look - Published: 2025-01-02 - Modified: 2025-01-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/why-resilient-it-infrastructure-is-critical-for-houston-businesses-in-2025/ - Categories: News The storms of 2024 were a wake-up call for businesses in Houston, exposing vulnerabilities in the city’s power grid and IT infrastructure. As we look ahead to 2025, the question isn’t if outages will happen again but whether your business is prepared to handle them. From costly downtime to frustrated employees and eroded customer trust, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Let’s explore why resilient IT infrastructure is essential and how we can help you weather the storm. The Cost of Downtime: A Business Reality Check  When storms hit and the grid fails, the cost of downtime skyrockets. Small businesses lose an average of $25,620 per hour, while enterprises can face losses of over $1 million per hour. Beyond the financial impact, downtime stalls productivity, frustrates employees, and damages customer relationships. In 2024, many businesses learned the hard way that traditional disaster recovery (DR) plans and on-premises systems weren’t enough to maintain operations.   Common Weak Links in IT Systems  Through our work with businesses across Houston, we’ve seen recurring issues that lead to prolonged outages:  On-Premises Data Centers: These often fail due to inadequate power backups and cooling systems. Unreliable Colocation Providers: Some providers don’t test their backup systems or lack robust support during crises. Connectivity Challenges: Single internet circuits leave businesses vulnerable to ISP outages. How We Can Help We specialize in providing fault-tolerant infrastructure designed to keep your business online during Houston’s worst conditions. Here’s how we can support your IT strategy in 2025: 100% Uptime Reliability Purpose-built... --- ### Creating connectivity for autonomous vehicles > Bot.auto, an autonomous vehicle company came to us looking for a data center that could accommodate a number of very complex needs. The dynamic startup - Published: 2024-12-26 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/creating-connectivity-for-autonomous-vehicles/ - Categories: Case Studies Bot. auto, an autonomous vehicle company came to us looking for a data center that could accommodate a number of very complex needs. The dynamic startup was newly establishing its presence in Houston, and had recently rented a warehouse space, from which it planned to test its autonomous vehicles. The problem: A complex project with a set budget This client did not have a huge amount of experience with data centers when we first started working with them. So, our team spent time helping them think through their space and power needs first and foremost. This is relatively common, and it’s something our team is always happy to help with at the start of new partnerships. The client had chosen to rent a warehouse space with an office, where it planned to test its vehicles and grow its business. The initial plan was to use dark fiber to connect the site and data center, but this was soon foiled when it became clear that there were no carriers to the site that the client had chosen.   Undeterred, our team worked around the issue using the 14 carriers in our facility. Doing so allowed us to find connectivity that would work for the vehicle company, using the site they had selected.   The solution: An exciting and fully flexible deployment  The company had a whole host of custom needs from a connectivity perspective, and worked with our team to find bespoke solutions that would accommodate their specific requirements. The client... --- ### IT Infrastructure Company Prepares for Growth with Full Redundancy  > NETdepot, an IT infrastructure company came to us looking for a data center capable of delivering a truly uninterrupted power supply. Power was a real - Published: 2024-11-26 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/it-infrastructure-company-prepares-for-growth-with-full-redundancy/ - Categories: Case Studies NETdepot, an IT infrastructure company came to us looking for a data center capable of delivering a truly uninterrupted power supply. Power was a real priority in this case, as the company in question designs, builds and maintains infrastructures for organizations all over the country. The problem: A need for reliable power and scalable options  The client’s services required power at all times; interruptions would have meant a loss of quality. The team therefore needed a totally reliable option that would never require them to compromise in terms of the quality of their service.   In addition, the team was looking for scalability. The company’s ambitious growth plans would necessitate the purchasing of more equipment, and they needed a data center that would be able to accommodate that without any interruption to service.   The solution: A unique setup prioritizing power  Our team advised a system whereby the rack’s power would be delivered via six different cables, coming from six different power supplies. As you can see from the photo, it’s packed full of 8xH100 NVIDIA GPUs and has six cables coming from it.   We were able to deliver three unique feeds to the rack - which isn’t a common feat in the industry. Being able to do so is important, though, as it allows for a minimum of four unique power supplies from four different sources in the event of an incident. Therefore, there’s no real chance of an interruption to power or capability - no matter what... --- ### Announcing the Launch of Megaport Services in Houston  > We're excited to announce the launch of Megaport, offering clients enhanced global connectivity and peering from our Houston location - Published: 2024-10-29 - Modified: 2024-10-29 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/megaport-cloud-connectivity-houston/ - Categories: News Megaport’s availability in our Houston Data Center brings global connectivity services and first Houston MegaIX location to customers. We're excited to announce the launch of Megaport, providing access to its full suite of global connectivity solutions as well as the ability to peer on Houston’s first Megaport Internet Exchange (MegaIX). This partnership offers our clients direct, on-demand access to a wide range of content and eyeball networks, cloud service providers, and data centers, enabling faster and more flexible connectivity to meet evolving business needs. With Megaport now available at our Houston data center, businesses can seamlessly interconnect with major cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud in seconds. This allows them to build and scale hybrid IT infrastructure, hybrid cloud, and multi-cloud solutions on demand using Megaport’s intuitive software platform. With the availability of MegaIX, clients can also set up public peering and private network connections in minutes, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with traditional internet exchanges and network management. “Our collaboration with Megaport gives our clients the ability to connect and peer locally, creating tailored hybrid IT and multi-cloud solutions within our fully fault-tolerant data center,” said Chris Hinkle, CEO of TRG Datacenters. “As Houston’s first data center with a Megaport Internet Exchange, we’re proud to offer free cross-connects and unmatched connectivity to our clients, allowing them to scale their digital infrastructure quickly as their needs grow. ” Empowering Houston Businesses with Advanced Interconnection We now offer a unique competitive advantage as the first facility... --- ### Fully Managed Colo for a California-based Generative AI Company  > Breakpoint AI, a San-Francisco based company, came to us looking for a data center that could accommodate its very specific requirements. The company - Published: 2024-10-26 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/fully-managed-colo-for-a-california-based-generative-ai-company/ - Categories: Case Studies Breakpoint AI, a San-Francisco based company, came to us looking for a data center that could accommodate its very specific requirements. The company specialises in generative AI for image datasets, and was looking for a fully managed service that wouldn’t require constant journeys to and from the data center. The client in question had previously been searching in California, but found itself faced with a real lack of capacity in the nearby area. This led to the search being extended, and before long it had found TRG through Google.   The problem: Sky high energy costs and a lack of space nearby The client discussed its needs with our team, and soon realised the savings that could be made by opting for a remote setup. The cost of real estate and the cost to implement in California is so much higher than it is here in Texas, for a number of reasons.   Take the cost of Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), for example. In California it’d set a company like this back about 24 cents per KWH. That’s approximately six times what we’re paying in Texas. Add a lack of space to the equation and it’s easy to see why it’s so punitive for California-based companies to buy their own GPUs and operate them nearby.   Working fully remotely can be a challenge, but with our fully managed service it doesn't have to be. The client was soon reassured by our team’s responsiveness, understanding and familiarity with the GPUs.... --- ### Stability and Security for a Fast-Growing AI Company  > A growing AI company came to us looking for a stable and secure facility that would support its needs both now and in the future.  The client was - Published: 2024-09-26 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/stability-and-security-for-a-fast-growing-ai-company/ - Categories: Case Studies A growing AI company came to us looking for a stable and secure facility that would support its needs both now and in the future.   The client was initially inexperienced in the world of data centers, but our team worked with them to create a solution that would support its existing level of demand, as well as any increases that growth might bring in the years ahead.   The problem: Power-hungry racks in need of stability  This client came to us with five racks full of NVIDIA 4090s, used for running AI applications. Despite the incredible level of demand that this entails in terms of power and deployment, the client didn’t have much expertise on data centers when they first approached us. In fact - they’d never actually set foot in one.   Our team quickly stepped in to bring the client up to speed on everything he and his team needed to know.   We were able to walk the team through the process at a pace that suited them. Discussions along the way allowed us to figure out exactly what it was that this client needed, and what we needed to do to help them get stabilized.   We talked through issues like power, cooling and setup, and were able to answer the client’s questions as we tackled problems one by one.   It’s not uncommon for new clients to come to us with relatively little knowledge on data centers and how they work - so don’t... --- ### Snapstream Makes Full Use of Colo+ & Free Remote Hands-on > Snapstream is well-known for its live video clipping product, which is used by organizations looking to create narratives and improve their influence. The - Published: 2024-08-19 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/snapstream-makes-full-use-of-colo-free-remote-hands-on/ - Categories: Case Studies Snapstream is well-known for its live video clipping product, which is used by organizations looking to create narratives and improve their influence. The Texas-based company now has 19 Colo+ racks and counting here at TRG, and is looking to open an office space at our facility in the near future.   After battling poor service and unexpected power outages at its previous data center, the software company moved to our facility in search of a more reliable option.   It wasn’t just a dependable service that Snapstream needed, however. The software company also required a flexible solution that could be tailored to suit the specific needs of its business model. Colo+ fit the bill perfectly.   The problem: Inflexible colocation and frequent power interruptions Poor weather had been causing frequent power outages at Snapstream’s previous colocation facility. The company had also been struggling with a remote hands service that wasn’t as user-friendly as they’d have liked (and wasn’t free either! ) Snapstream came to us looking for a reliable service that wouldn’t be affected by weather events, as well as a simpler and more seamless remote-hands service.   Flexibility was also important to the Snapstream team. The company’s specific business model had to be supported in a cost-effective way. Thankfully our tailored colocation options could do just that.   The solution: Colo+ & free remote hands-on Snapstream opted for Colo+, which is much more than just managed colocation at our Texas data center.   The Colo+ service the company chose... --- ### An Emergency Migration for Ensite > Engineering and Management Consulting company Ensite needed a fast solution to an urgent problem. The company had been discussing a move to TRG with our - Published: 2024-08-07 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/an-emergency-migration-for-ensite/ - Categories: Case Studies Engineering and Management Consulting company Ensite needed a fast solution to an urgent problem. The company had been discussing a move to TRG with our team, but when Hurricane Beryl brought its power down indefinitely the relocation became time critical.   The problem: Unplanned power outage due to a natural weather event  Mother Nature has been known to wipe out power supplies to data centers with very little warning, but some have the means to get power back on much faster than others.   In this case, Ensite had already been dealing with unreliable power, and were considering moving to TRG as a result. But when Hurricane Beryl reared its head and brought the site’s power down fully, Ensite needed a fast solution that would get vital systems back up and running.   The setup pre-move was far from ideal The solution: A fast migration to reinstate power urgently  Time was of the essence in this case. Plans for migration were made on the Friday, and by the following morning all client equipment had been picked up and migrated to our data center.   New internet cross connects were run in preparation the night before, so that our team could get straight to work rebuilding the rack as soon as equipment arrived. By 8pm that evening the power was back on and Ensite was back to serving its customers as if nothing had happened.   The end result: A reliable power supply and a better customer experience  Ensite’s move meant... --- ### Liberty Lift Invests in 100% Uptime > Liberty Lift, an oil and gas service company specializing in lift and pump systems and equipment, sought our help in improving its uptime and reliability. - Published: 2024-08-07 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/liberty-lift-invests-in-100-uptime/ - Categories: Case Studies Liberty Lift, an oil and gas service company specializing in lift and pump systems and equipment, sought our help in improving its uptime and reliability. The company had been struggling with incredibly unreliable power for some time, and needed to make some big changes to support recent expansions in its product lines.   The problem: Cramped, outdated space and unreliable power  Power reliability was the main issue for Liberty Lift. The full-service artificial lift company is known around the world for its premium products, service and customer care, but it was struggling to guarantee high levels of service when faced with unplanned power outages.   The company had also started to outgrow its previous office space. Liberty Lift had recently expanded its product line into most stages of the artificial lift lifecycle. This meant that its existing space was no longer sufficient to facilitate the growth of the company and its plans for the future.   The solution: A new look Colo+ rack with 100% uptime We discussed emergency plans with Liberty Lift on Friday, and everything was ready for migration the following day. The night before migration, our team ran new internet cross connects to the new Liberty Lift rack in preparation for a fast transition once the equipment arrived.   We had a rack ready with necessary power requirements fit for Liberty Lift’s equipment, which allowed us to offer a lightning fast turnaround that got the client’s systems back in action in no time at all.   The... --- ### TechEdge Opts for Disaster Proofing with TRG > TechEdge, a leading supplier of IT services, had been plagued by power outages that were starting to cause real headaches for its team. The last straw was - Published: 2024-08-05 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/techedge-opts-for-disaster-proofing-with-trg/ - Categories: Case Studies TechEdge, a leading supplier of IT services, had been plagued by power outages that were starting to cause real headaches for its team. The last straw was a prolonged outage brought about by the effects of Hurricane Beryl, in which power was lost for over 30 hours. The company came to us looking for a disaster-proof data center with a well protected power supply. The problem: Prolonged power outages and frequent service interruptions  TechEdge had been fighting against unexpected power blips for some time, but when Hurricane Beryl took out the power at its previous data center for over 30 hours, the decision was taken to invest in a disaster-proof option for the future.   Not only was the company’s previous data center unreliable in terms of its power supply, the company had also been struggling with a lack of information concerning interruptions to power. The IT team were unhappy with the information vacuum they found themselves in during the 30-hour power outage, and chose to make the move to a more reliable center. The solution: Colo+ with a lightning fast turnaround  Our team worked with TechEdge to narrow down its requirements and present options.   Initially, TechEdge opted for Colo, but it soon became clear that shipping delays and other logistical challenges would make it difficult for the team to acquire all the PDUs they needed within the required timeframe.   So, TechEdge chose to upgrade to Colo+, a service which includes PDUs as standard. Much more than just... --- ### 100% Uptime During Hurricane Beryl > Identifying The Risk Through its journey into the Yucatan peninsula and into the gulf, the TRG team tracked Hurricane Beryl hourly. Due to the angle of - Published: 2024-07-18 - Modified: 2024-11-11 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-hurricane-beryl/ - Categories: News Identifying The Risk Through its journey into the Yucatan peninsula and into the gulf, the TRG team tracked Hurricane Beryl hourly. Due to the angle of the Texas coast, we knew that a small “wobble” on the hurricanes track could cause a large movement up the coast. As we progressed into the weekend, we saw an increasingly high likelihood of, at minimum, impact, and a growing threat of a direct hit. Utilizing the NOAA inland wind model and guidance from Space City Weather, we determined strong tropical storm force winds at TRG. Enacting The Plan We called in fuel resupply contracts on a discretionary basis on Saturday, to be scheduled to come Monday evening just in case power was lost by the grid to start the process, even though we have five days of fuel resupply on site. We also enacted our emergency plan and initiated a ride through team stocked with provisions and sleeping arrangements at the facility. We are fortunate to have our own well and septic system, complete with on site showers so we had absolutely zero dependency on any municipal resources. As the hurricane approached the coast, we were lucky that the pervasive dry air delayed intensification. This could have easily turned into a much stronger storm. Even though we were not originally anticipating a stronger event, we did take all precautions mentioned above due to the possibility of rapid intensification. As the storm came, its focus shifted on what was a direct path to our... --- ### Announcing Partnership With Antarctica Capital, Intent To Expand Nationally > The partnership enables us to accelerate nationwide expansion, taking our flagship Colo+ product to more markets. As you may know, TRG was founded in 2018 - Published: 2024-02-22 - Modified: 2024-03-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/announcing-partnership-with-antarctica-capital-intent-to-expand-nationally/ - Categories: News The partnership enables us to accelerate nationwide expansion, taking our flagship Colo+ product to more markets. As you may know, TRG was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Houston. In the past 5 years, we’ve seen substantial growth, with a lot of that fuelled by our fully managed colocation service, Colo+. In fact more than 95% of our cabinets in our newest data hall use Colo+ and we see this as a firm vote from the market about the need for such a service. Partnering with Antarctica allows us to take this vision to a national level, building a category-defining brand and platform. The core features of Colo+ are designed to make colocation as seamless as possible; hassle-free migrations within 12 hours, streamlined rack management and exceptional data center service. This has attracted a diverse base of more than 100+ tenants ranging from Enterprise / Fortune 500 to cloud/infrastructure partners. The success of Colo+ has firmly established us in the Houston market and serves as a cornerstone in our expansion plan. Chandra Patel, Managing Partner of Antarctica Capital, said, "We are excited to support TRG and our new partner and CEO Chris Hinkle in their next phase of growth. Our investment conviction is that strong operators are the key to unlocking value in the data center sector. TRG's excellence in top-tier data center design and operations makes it a natural fit for Antarctica and will serve as a key platform for our investment strategy in the digital infrastructure space.... --- ### CloudNine Relocates its Network Infrastructure > CloudNine, a cloud-based software provider from Houston, Texas, recently sought the help of TRG Datacenters with its own network infrastructure. - Published: 2023-12-07 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/cloudnine-relocates-its-network-infrastructure/ - Categories: Case Studies CloudNine, a cloud-based software provider based in Houston, Texas, recently sought the help of our team with its own network infrastructure. The automation company is well-known for its software and services, which are designed to simplify litigation discovery, investigations and audits. But its own infrastructure setup was far from ideal. The problem: Outdated, inefficient equipment in the wrong location CloudNine was in the not unusual position of working with infrastructure that just wasn’t where it should be.   The problem arose when the company inherited much of its North Carolina network infrastructure from another business it purchased. As a result, a significant proportion of its infrastructure was situated in a different state to most of its team.   The majority of the CloudNine team are based in Houston. Unfortunately, much of the company’s infrastructure was housed in North Carolina, where there were far fewer CloudNine employees to look after it. The problem was exacerbated by the fact that rack space was being used inefficiently, and much of the equipment was itself outdated. TRG’s solution: Colo+ vs standard colo To remedy the situation, we suggested consolidating the number of racks for CloudNine’s production data and servers. We also migrated the network equipment that had been hosted at a data center in Durham, North Carolina.   CloudNine’s network hardware consisted of 3 – 48U racks. With the help of our team, the company was able to shrink its critical hardware down to 1. 5 racks.   Outdated equipment was removed, and before... --- ### Enstor Makes the Move to TRG > Enstor, one of America's largest natural gas storage operators, came to TRG Datacenters looking for a solution to its power problems. - Published: 2023-12-01 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/enstor-makes-the-move-to-trg/ - Categories: Case Studies Enstor, one of America's largest natural gas storage operators, faced recurring power outages that were leaving its team frustrated. The company came to us looking for a solution to its power problems, which would occur frequently and strike without warning. The problem: Unpredictable power outages Engineers from Enstor were unable to predict when their power might go out, and how long the power would take to come back on when they did face an outage. This left them unable to plan accordingly, and led to severe disruption for the business.   Disorganisation compounded the company’s ongoing problems. Cables were not easily traceable, and power limitations within their office building meant that the team could not add more equipment when needed.  Enstor’s level of risk was high. A lack of disaster proofing meant that there were no generators. There was no back up plan in place should the surrounding area be affected by severe weather or natural disasters. The company’s power supply was vulnerable. TRG’s solution: Colo+ vs standard colo Enstor chose to move its network equipment to our data center. Not only would the move provide peace of mind for the team, it would also prove to be more cost-effective than their previous setup.   TRG’s three (soon to be four) diesel-powered backup generators would soon allow the Enstor team to relax, safe in the knowledge that their power supply would continue uninterrupted, even in cases of severe weather or circumstances out of their control. Making the move: A race... --- ### 100% Uptime During Unnamed June 2023 Storm > Identifying The Risk In June 2023, a sudden storm system from the North defied all expectations, rapidly moving through Houston and presenting unforeseen - Published: 2023-07-25 - Modified: 2023-09-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-unnamed-june-2023-storm/ - Categories: News Identifying The Risk In June 2023, a sudden storm system from the North defied all expectations, rapidly moving through Houston and presenting unforeseen challenges for data centers in Houston, including ours. What originated near the Dallas metro area was predicted to weaken, but instead, Houston was hammered by heavy rains and fierce winds on an unassuming Wednesday evening.   Reports from Space City Weather highlighted the severity: nearly 340,000 customers without power across Montgomery and Harris Counties, attributed to unanticipated wind gusts, with one nearing 97 mph at Bush Intercontinental Airport.   The series of events underlined not just the unpredictability of nature but the pressing need for constant vigilance and adaptability, reinforcing the resilience and preparation at TRG Datacenters. Enacting The Plan Our proactive measures proved invaluable during the surprise June storm in an industry where storm preparedness can make or break operational continuity. We swiftly activated our pre-established protocols: Real-time generator transfer: Recognizing the storm's unexpected strength, on-site technicians didn’t miss a beat, shifting operations immediately to our reliable generators. On-call team: Understanding the gravity of grid disturbances, our responsive staff drove to the facility immediately, ensuring the site remained operational. Frequent facility checks: To preempt potential issues and guarantee uninterrupted service, our team conducted rapid and consistent cross-checks, reinforcing the resilience of our infrastructure. The Results & Lessons Learned In the aftermath of such an unexpected and potent storm, the results reflected our dedication to maintaining the highest standards in operations and infrastructure: Unwavering Continuity Despite the... --- ### 100% Uptime During Hurricane Nicholas > Identifying The Risk As the Gulf of Mexico stirred in early September 2021, we at TRG Datacenters were alerted to a brewing hurricane. With forecasts - Published: 2021-10-11 - Modified: 2023-09-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-hurricane-nicholas/ - Categories: News Identifying The Risk As the Gulf of Mexico stirred in early September 2021, we at TRG Datacenters were alerted to a brewing hurricane. With forecasts pointing to a Category 1 hurricane at landfall, our position, 65 miles inland, indicated we'd primarily confront tropical storm force winds and potential rainfall. The National Hurricane Center's keen observations since September 9th traced the evolution of this system. By September 12th, it was dubbed Tropical Storm Nicholas.   Despite its struggle against persistent wind shear, by the evening of September 13th, a significant burst of convection intensified Nicholas, leading to its upgrade as a hurricane by 10 P. M. CDT. Aware of the looming threat, we braced ourselves to tackle the impending challenges. Enacting The Plan In response to the threat of Hurricane Nicholas we developed and enacted a robust response mechanism. On-site team deployment: We promptly activated our ride-through team to ensure consistent monitoring and management. Facility cross-checks: Our team thoroughly checked the entire facility, ensuring everything was in optimal condition. Fuel supply chain activation: Understanding the importance of continuous power, we ensured our fuel supply chain was fully operational. Top-off plan implementation: With the storm's unpredictability, we preemptively topped off our fuel reserves, eliminating any need for ride-through fueling during the event. Generators in storm avoidance mode: Anticipating power fluctuations, we proactively transferred power to our generators and ensured uninterrupted service. The Results & Lessons Learned In the face of Hurricane Nicholas, the foresight and preparations of TRG Datacenters ensured the continued... --- ### TRG Datacenters Given Priority Restoration as a Critical Load Customer > CenterPoint Energy, the electricity and gas utility that supplies our Houston data centers, has confirmed our designation as a non-residential critical - Published: 2021-08-31 - Modified: 2023-10-31 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/trg-datacenters-given-priority-restoration-as-a-critical-load-customer/ - Categories: News CenterPoint Energy, the electricity and gas utility that supplies our Houston data centers, has confirmed our designation as a non-residential critical load customer. In essence, this means that the data center is now prioritized alongside other vital infrastructure in the event of an interruption to power supplies. What is a critical load customer? Under current rules, data centers that are relied upon by the likes of airports, fire stations, police stations and hospitals are given priority response and priority restoration, should an external event cause a serious interruption to the supply of electricity or gas. So, if a hurricane were to take out power supplies for weeks on end, power would first be returned to Centerpoint Energy’s critical load customers. In the event of a natural disaster, there is the potential for power to be cut for an extended period of time, during which data centers would need to use generators to keep customers online. Center Point’s Energy’s assurance that TRG Datacenters power critical infrastructure and are therefore a critical load customer, means that our power would be switched back on as a matter of urgency. Depending on the severity of the situation, this could mean that our power would be restored days or weeks before that of other businesses in the area. TRG Datacenters recognised as a critical load customer Energy regulator the Public Utility Commission of Texas determined our data center to be in accordance with its Substantive Rules § 25. 497(a), and that’s why it’s been designated... --- ### Introducing codename: SIGMA & the World’s First Grid Supporting Green Data Center Design > We are excited to announce the world’s first fully fault tolerant grid supporting data center design - and it’s ours. Alongside this, we are looking ahead - Published: 2021-05-17 - Modified: 2023-08-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/code-name-sigma-and-the-worlds-first-grid-supporting-green-data-center-design/ - Categories: News We are excited to announce the world’s first fully fault tolerant grid supporting data center design - and it’s ours. Alongside this, we are looking ahead to a future where exploring ideas and realizing goals that give back to humanity is even more achievable with a newly formed visionary think tank and fund, codename: SIGMA. Power Grid Challenges caused by the recent Texas Winter Storm have shown us something we’ve been thinking about for a while; that disaster events like these can be better avoided by having a data center design that is centered around supporting the power grid and transferring to more green energy. So that’s what we’ve done. Moving from Grid-Supported, to Grid-Supporting It’s time for us to take the environmental impact of computes seriously. By allowing us to utilize multiple types of fuel for generation, our new design is moving beyond traditional diesel. With this comes the possibility of a new position for data centers. Instead of being supported by power from the grid, they can now be designed to provide support for the grid, which will unlock additional capabilities for green energy. As Jeff Hinkle, CEO of TRG Datacenters explains: “Utilizing different generation methodologies allows for us to change how we think about our relationship with the grid. Instead of designing data centers to be supported by the grid, we are now designing data centers to have a place supporting the grid – thereby cementing the role of compute as part of the grid as an... --- ### 100% Uptime During Storm Uri > During the record winter storm that left Texas in a statewide power emergency, we used our generators to keep customers online and reduce the load on the - Published: 2021-02-28 - Modified: 2023-08-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-storm-uri/ - Categories: News During the record winter storm that left Texas in a statewide power emergency, we used our generators to keep customers online and reduce the load on the state's struggling power grid. On Saturday morning February 13th, we began to implement our disaster response protocol for the winter storm. We implemented a "ride-through" team at the facility, to remain on-site during the storm. Our team performed extended runtime tests on generators, topped off fuel, and prepared an on-site reserve fuel tanker ready to provide fuel if needed. On Sunday, February 14th, we transitioned to generator power in anticipation for the storm. We continued to operate on generators until Friday, Feb 19th. "This was a unique outage in that the generation capacity of Texas was limited," says Chris Hinkle, Chief Technology Officer. "Because of Texas' generation capacity issue, we felt it best to protect our clients and stay off the grid for an extended period of time, even though utility was available for most of the week. Every one-kilowatt we could take off the grid was one-kilowatt to power people's homes, and we were happy to do that for our community. " "We were able to maintain a business-as-usual experience for our clients while they were stuck in their homes, possibly without power for days on end," says Hinkle. "This really gets to the core of why people utilize colocation facilities: to have a 3rd man watching the fort while they can't be there. " Clients and members of the community reached... --- ### TRG Datacenters Announces Expansion > Houston, Texas, December 24th--- TRG Datacenters is beginning construction on Phase 2 of their Spring, TX data center. This expansion will allow for an - Published: 2020-12-24 - Modified: 2022-10-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/trg-datacenters-announces-expansion/ - Categories: News Houston, Texas, December 24th--- TRG Datacenters is beginning construction on Phase 2 of their Spring, TX data center. This expansion will allow for an additional 10,000 square feet of useable DC space. This new development allows their data center to now have a 2. 25 Megawatt fault tolerant load, expanding to 10 Megawatts once the total campus of 10 acres is built. “We will be using a bi-fuel option for backup power in our latest expansion,” says CTO Chris Hinkle. This notable design variation for the next expansion allows for up to 15-20+ days of generator usage without any type of refueling. This is made possible by combining the use of both natural gas and diesel fuel or diesel exclusively, providing maximum flexibility. Bringing in multiple fuel supplies for backup power will solve for the range anxiety Houston suffers from and position TRG as the only datacenter in Houston providing these capabilities for clients that require extreme levels of reliability. During 2020, TRG had significant revenue growth, thanks to their strong position as a fault tolerant facility and their unique service Colo+, a fully managed colocation offering that includes unlimited remote hands on, physical migrations, and world-best cabling and labeling. TRG has continued to build on this success, becoming the highest rated and most reviewed data center in Houston within just two years of opening. --- ### 100% Uptime During Hurricane Laura > Identifying The Risk August 2020 presented ominous signs for us at our Houston data center. Alerts highlighted a potential hurricane rapidly intensifying - Published: 2020-09-25 - Modified: 2023-09-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/100-uptime-during-hurricane-laura/ - Categories: News Identifying The Risk August 2020 presented ominous signs for us at our Houston data center. Alerts highlighted a potential hurricane rapidly intensifying in the Gulf of Mexico, its trajectory uncertain even within 72 hours of its anticipated landfall. Laura, initially a tropical wave that emerged off Africa's west coast, had transformed into a formidable Category 4 hurricane by August 26th, as reported by Space City Weather, foretelling catastrophic outcomes for western Louisiana. For Houston, the forecast was troubling. Areas west of I-45 anticipated periods of showers and storms, with nighttime winds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. Meanwhile, regions east of I-45 and north of I-10 were projected to face gusts around 35 mph.   Given the evolving scenario, we grasped the severity of the impending risk and took decisive action. https://twitter. com/NWSHouston/status/1297958445212151809 Enacting The Plan As Hurricane Laura loomed, we implemented strategies to guarantee our facility's safety and uninterrupted service. On-site response team activation: We immediately deployed a dedicated team, preparing them to address the hurricane's challenges head-on. Facility check-ups: We conducted thorough inspections of our facility to ensure its readiness against the storm's impact. Fuel supply strategy: We activated our fuel supply chain and implemented the 'Top Off' plan, ensuring we had ample fuel without the need for ride-through fueling. Storm's eastward shift: As we tracked Hurricane Laura, it took an eastward turn towards Louisiana, reducing potential challenges for our Houston location. The Results & Lessons Learned The insights we gathered validated some... --- ### A Summary of 2019 Technology Policy in the Texas Legislature > The Texas State Legislature meets every 2 years for 140 calendar days beginning second Tuesday in January. That is, unless the Governor calls for special - Published: 2019-07-08 - Modified: 2019-07-08 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/a-summary-of-2019-technology-policy-in-the-texas-legislature/ - Categories: News The Texas State Legislature meets every 2 years for 140 calendar days beginning second Tuesday in January. That is, unless the Governor calls for special sessions. Any bill it passes takes effect 90 days later unless it has a two thirds majority. The 2019 session closed on May 27. Hence this is a good time to review their decisions regarding data breach and data security. We present the three most significant pieces of legislation they covered. Briefly, these are: NEW BILL HB 4390 “Relating to the privacy of personal identifying information and the creation of the Texas Privacy Protection Advisory Council” MODIFICATION TO EXISTING SB 122 “Identity Theft Enforcement and Protection Act” NEW BILL SB 936 “Relating to a Cyber Security Monitor for Certain Electrical Utilities” Towards the close of this article we consider Texas lawmakers’ thinking regarding storing sensitive state government data in future. Bill HB 4390 Privacy of Personal Information / Protection Advisory Council The Texas Governor signed HB 4390 on June 14, 2019. The authors modelled their Bill on the California Consumer Privacy Act. However the legislature diluted it to the extent it no longer provides residents with additional privacy rights. Instead, HB 4390 established a Texas Privacy Protection Advisory Council to “study data privacy laws in this state. ” It furthermore determined: A complainant must report a breach of personal information within 60 days of becoming aware of it Under certain circumstances the breach must also be reported to the Texas Attorney General’s office The Texas... --- --- ## Resources ### The World's Most Energy-Independent Countries Ranked - Published: 2025-06-02 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-worlds-most-energy-independent-countries-ranked/ Iceland ranks as the most energy-resilient country, with nearly 90% clean energy use and rapid hydroelectric restart capability. Norway takes second place, thanks to its exceptional hydro capacity. Over 89% of its electricity is generated from hydropower which is the highest in the list. The study reveals a clear trend: countries with strong hydroelectric infrastructure and low fossil fuel dependence are best equipped to recover from blackouts. Following a massive April 28 blackout that cut nearly 60% of Spain’s power in just five seconds, TRG Datacenters launched a global study to determine which countries are best prepared to survive a major electricity outage—and which might be left in the dark. The result of this study is the Energy Independence and Resilience Index, which analyzed 79 countries using five key energy metrics. The index gives the highest weight to three core factors: Electricity production from hydroelectric sources, because hydro stations can return to full output within 5 minutes after a blackout—faster than any other power source, high reliance on alternative and nuclear energy and therefore low fossil fuel energy consumption. Other indicators like energy efficiency and domestic production vs imports were also considered, but weighted less heavily in this context of blackout survivability. Below are the ten countries most prepared to handle a large-scale outage: Countries Alternative and nuclear energy (% ) Hydroelectric sources (% of total) Fossil fuel energy consumption Index Iceland 89. 3 70. 2 10. 3 82. 93 Norway 50. 6 89. 1 46. 3 67. 12 Switzerland... --- ### Data Center Latency: How to Reduce It > Learn how to measure, diagnose, and cut data center latency for faster apps - step-by-step tips and success stories - Published: 2025-06-02 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-latency-how-to-reduce-it/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In a digital economy, the time it takes a data packet to travel across a network can spell the difference between a fluid user experience and a frustrating one. Whether you operate global cloud services, run a business-critical SaaS platform, or deliver immersive gaming, low latency is no longer a luxury; it is table stakes. This article examines the sources of data center latency, explains how to measure and reduce it, and showcases real-world wins when delay is minimized. What is Data Center Latency? Data center latency is the total time between a user action or an application request and the corresponding response from servers housed in one or more data centers. Often expressed in milliseconds (ms), it encapsulates network latency (propagation and switching delays), processing delays inside servers or storage, and queuing delays during congestion. Why Low Latency Drives Modern Digital Business Low latency boosts performance, enhances user experience, and unlocks new real-time services: algorithmic trading, connected vehicles, telemedicine, and more. Studies show a mere 100 ms of extra delay can slash e-commerce conversion by up to 7%. For high-frequency traders, high latency can translate directly into lost revenue. In short, latency is a hard-dollar metric. Key Factors That Create Latency inside Data Centers Below, you’ll find the main technical reasons latency creeps in, broken down one by one. Distance, Data Packets, and the Speed of Light Physics sets the baseline: light in fiber travels ~200,000 km/s. Each kilometer adds ~5 µs of delay. Multiply that across cross-continental hops... --- ### What Is a Trunk Cable and How Are Trunk Cables Used in Data Centers? > Learn what a trunk cable is and how trunk cables help companies streamline data center cabling, improve scalability, and support high-density environments. - Published: 2025-05-23 - Modified: 2025-05-23 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-trunk-cable/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA When you're building out a modern data center, one of the fastest ways to run into problems is to underestimate the complexity of cabling. It's not just about bandwidth or port counts. It’s about how well your physical infrastructure supports scale, uptime, and change. That’s where trunk cables come into play. Most companies hit a point where traditional patch cabling just doesn’t cut it anymore. You start with a handful of servers. Then you grow. You add switches, firewalls, cross connects, and uplinks. Suddenly, your cable trays are full, your airflow is restricted, and troubleshooting becomes a nightmare. That’s the moment you realize you need a better system—and trunk cables are one of the most effective tools to solve it. So, What Is a Trunk Cable? A trunk cable is a pre-terminated fiber or copper cable that combines multiple individual cables into a single bundled unit. It’s built to carry multiple data channels between key infrastructure points. Instead of running 12 separate cables between two cabinets, you can run one trunk cable with 12 fibers inside it. Think of it as structured cabling for serious environments. It’s neater, faster to deploy, and much easier to scale. Most trunk cables come with high-density connectors—often MPO or MTP for fiber—designed to snap in quickly and provide plug-and-play connections between patch panels, switches, or server gear. Companies use trunk cables to collapse complexity. You're not managing loose cords anymore. You're managing organized lanes of traffic between devices that matter. Why Trunk Cables Matter... --- ### What is Hybrid IT?  > Hybrid IT blends cloud and on-premise infrastructure. Learn more about the concept, including how it works and how it helps modern organizations, today. - Published: 2025-05-07 - Modified: 2025-05-21 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-hybrid-it/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA To keep up with the rapidly evolving digital landscape, your business needs information technology (IT) systems that are agile, secure, and cost-effective. Enter hybrid IT, a strategic approach that uses a mix of on-premises infrastructure and cloud-based services to create a flexible, scalable, and optimized IT environment. Organizations in virtually every industry can benefit from hybrid IT, using it to simplify things like resource management, improve business continuity, and adopt new applications that propel their businesses forward. What is Hybrid IT? Hybrid IT refers to an IT infrastructure model that integrates traditional on-premise systems with cloud-based resources. It allows you to run workloads and applications across private and public environments, allowing you to choose the best setting for your data and security needs. A hybrid IT approach enables you to use cloud-based solutions as needed while keeping sensitive processes in-house. As such, it can be especially beneficial for organizations that face tight regulations but also need scalable storage and computing resources. Key Components of Hybrid IT The essential elements of a thriving hybrid IT environment are as follows: On-Premise Infrastructure: Legacy servers, networking hardware, and storage systems that you can read and write data from/to Private Cloud: A dedicated, secure cloud environment hosted by a third party Public Cloud Services: Scalable platforms (like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud) that are used for computing or data processing needs Hybrid Cloud Management: Tools and platforms that unify monitoring, provisioning, and automation across environments Network Integration: Ensures seamless connectivity between your entire IT... --- ### What is an Internet Exchange? > Internet exchange points improve global internet speed and reliability. Learn what an internet exchange is, how it works, and why it matters today. - Published: 2025-05-07 - Modified: 2025-05-21 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-an-internet-exchange/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Ever wondered how your favorite websites load instantly or why streaming services rarely buffer?   Behind this smooth experience lies the magic of an Internet Exchange (IX). An IX is essentially a physical hub where internet providers, content networks, and tech companies connect their networks directly. Think of it like a bustling marketplace where digital data seamlessly trades hands, cutting out unnecessary middlemen and boosting speed.   In this article, we’ll demystify exactly how Internet Exchanges operate, why they’re crucial for today’s digital ecosystem, and how they significantly enhance your online experience, making the internet faster, cheaper, and more efficient for everyone. What is Internet Exchange? An internet exchange is a physical connection point that provides access to data and routes traffic.   Instead of doing the latter through multiple third-party networks, IXs create direct exchange points for networks to interconnect, resulting in lower latency, reliability, and costs.   These IXPs are key to the smooth functioning of the global internet; they play a critical role in ensuring that data travels efficiently across networks, improving the experience for businesses and consumers. How Do Internet Exchanges Work? An IXP is a common meeting point for networks to peer (interconnect) directly with one another. When two networks want to exchange data, instead of routing through a third party, they connect via the IXP.   Each organization that connects to an IXP sets up a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) session with other participants. The protocol allows each network to advertise the IP addresses... --- ### GPU: Graphics Processing Unit Explained > Learn all about graphics processing units (GPUs), including what they are, how they work, and the world’s top GPU manufacturers today. - Published: 2025-05-07 - Modified: 2025-05-21 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-graphics-processing-unit-explained/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA From gaming to artificial intelligence (AI), graphics processing units (GPUs) are powerful technology that are at the heart of today’s most complex computing tasks. While initially built to render graphics, hence the name, today’s GPUs now accelerate everything from deep learning to data processing in data centers worldwide.   In the following deep dive, you’ll learn more about what a GPU is, how one works, and why these devices are so important in today’s world. What is GPU? A GPU is a specialized piece of hardware designed to handle and accelerate the rendering of images, videos, and animations.   Traditionally, GPUs were the key piece of hardware present in graphics cards. And though graphics cards still contain GPUs, they no longer represent the only use case for these critical devices. That’s because GPUs offer parallel processing, in clear contrast to central processing units (CPUs), which only handle general-purpose computing. In other words, GPUs can handle thousands of operations simultaneously, making them foundational in advancing things like AI models.   How Do GPUs Work? GPUs work by breaking down visual and computational tasks into smaller parts and processing them at the same time. Each GPU contains hundreds to thousands of cores that can operate in tandem; generally speaking, more cores translate to better performance.   GPUs communicate using instruction sets like DirectX and OpenGL. They share information with software applications and translate data into visual output on your screen.   History of the GPU Before the turn of the 21st century,... --- ### Spine and Leaf Architecture: The New Standard for Modern Network Design? > Discover how spine and leaf architecture enables scalable, low-latency networking and why it's replacing legacy three-tier topologies in modern network design - Published: 2025-05-05 - Modified: 2025-05-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/spine-and-leaf-network-architecture/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Network design has become a strategic decision. As applications evolve, infrastructure must support lower latency, higher bandwidth, and greater fault tolerance across increasingly distributed systems. The old approach—built around a centralized, hierarchical flow—no longer fits. The shift from north-south to east-west traffic has made lateral scalability a top priority. That’s where spine-and-leaf architecture comes in. This model has become the go-to network topology for environments that demand predictable performance under load. It removes layers of unnecessary routing, flattens the network, and enables rapid horizontal scale. Organizations planning new infrastructure or upgrading legacy networks should understand what makes this architecture different and where it outperforms older designs. What Is Spine and Leaf Architecture? Spine-and-leaf architecture is a two-tier switching model. Every leaf switch connects directly to every spine switch. There are no connections between leaf switches or between spine switches. This creates a non-blocking fabric where all endpoints are just two hops away from each other—one hop up to a spine, one hop down to the destination leaf. The design is symmetrical, which means the path between any two endpoints is identical in structure and latency. That uniformity is the foundation of its value. It simplifies routing logic, ensures predictable traffic flows, and eliminates the asymmetry that often complicates troubleshooting in more layered topologies. By design, it avoids bottlenecks at intermediate points and supports high volumes of east-west traffic without requiring protocol workarounds or topology hacks. Key advantages of spine-and-leaf design include: Two-hop consistency between all endpoints Uniform latency across the network... --- ### History of Data Centers: From Server Rooms to AI-Driven Powerhouses > Discover how data centers evolved from early server rooms in the 1950s to today’s AI-driven giants straining global power grids, shaping the future of the digital economy. - Published: 2025-04-30 - Modified: 2025-04-30 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/history-of-data-centers/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA The role of data centers in the digital economy has undergone a seismic shift. What began as small server rooms tucked into office corners has transformed into sprawling purpose-built facilities that power everything from global banking systems to the explosion of artificial intelligence. Today’s data centers (like our Houston Data Center) are critical to every aspect of modern business, supporting industries as diverse as entertainment, healthcare, and manufacturing. Their evolution tells the story of how technology, energy demands, and innovation have redefined the digital landscape. The 1950s and 1960s: Birth of the Data Center The concept of the data center first took shape in the 1950s and 1960s. Early computing systems like the IBM 704 were enormous, requiring dedicated rooms with specialized cooling and power systems. Organizations using these machines had to build environments that could support their operational needs. This led to the creation of the first rudimentary data centers. These rooms were basic by today’s standards, often consisting of simple air conditioning systems, raised floors, and heavy power lines, but they represented the start of a transformation that would accelerate over the next seventy years. Back then, only governments, universities, and large corporations could afford to build and maintain such facilities. Computing power was scarce and precious, and every byte of storage was a major investment. The seeds were planted for a new type of infrastructure that would eventually move from being a cost center to becoming a strategic business asset. The 1990s: The Rise of On-Premises Server Rooms... --- ### Disaster Recovery Sites: Hot, Warm, and Cold Explained > Learn the differences between hot, warm, and cold disaster recovery sites, and why hybrid IT strategies using colocation offer resilience without the hidden costs of cloud-only solutions. - Published: 2025-04-30 - Modified: 2025-04-30 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-site-types/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA When disaster hits, your systems don’t just need to survive—they need to recover fast. Businesses today face threats from cyberattacks, regional power failures, hurricanes, and internal system failures. Downtime isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a revenue risk, a reputational hit, and in many industries, a regulatory problem. Disaster recovery planning is no longer a technical discussion. It’s a business-critical priority. Choosing the right disaster recovery site—hot, warm, or cold—has direct implications on your recovery time, cost exposure, and operational resilience. The differences between them go beyond hardware and location. They represent different levels of readiness and investment, and each is suited to a specific business need and tolerance for risk. Why Disaster Recovery Sites Matter A disaster recovery site acts as your backup operating environment. When your primary systems fail, your recovery site takes over. That could mean an instant failover with zero data loss, or it could mean days of work to restore systems from scratch. How fast and how seamlessly you recover depends on what kind of site you've prepared. Hot, warm, and cold sites represent three levels of readiness. Each comes with trade-offs. The right answer depends on how much downtime you can tolerate, what systems you need back online first, and how much you’re prepared to invest to avoid chaos during a crisis. Hot Sites: Always-On Redundancy A hot site is a full replica of your production environment, kept synchronized in real time or near real time. It has the same applications, same data, same configurations, ready... --- ### How Microgrids and DERs Will Solve the Data Center Power Crisis > Discover how microgrids and distributed energy resources (DERs) are redefining power strategy in the data center industry, enabling scalability for AI workloads. - Published: 2025-04-17 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/microgrids-data-centers/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA AI is reshaping everything, and the data center industry is right in the blast radius. The explosive growth in AI workloads has exposed a problem we’ve ignored for too long: the fragility and limitations of our power infrastructure. Power has always been a challenge for data centers, but now it’s a full-blown crisis. Utility providers simply can't keep up with the demand curve. This isn’t a future problem—it’s already affecting project timelines, location strategies, and growth models. If you're building a new facility today or expanding an existing one, you’re probably waiting on power before anything else. That’s a problem businesses can’t afford to live with. The good news is that we’re not stuck. Microgrids and distributed energy resources (DERs) give us a viable path forward. They’re not just a backup or a sustainability add-on. They’re the foundation for a new kind of data center—one that isn’t tethered to an aging and overburdened grid. The Grid Bottleneck Before we talk solutions, let’s define the problem. AI workloads are incredibly power-hungry. Training a single large language model can consume megawatt-hours of energy. Now multiply that by every company racing to develop proprietary models, process data faster, or train more complex algorithms. The demand isn’t doubling—it’s compounding. In mature power markets, utilities are maxed out. New connections are delayed by months or years. Even in energy-rich states like Texas, queue times are stretching. Grid operators are rightly focused on resilience, but that means stricter interconnection standards and longer approval cycles. You can’t... --- ### Data Center Fire Suppression: Built for Precision, Not Panic > Learn why dry pipe dual-interlock fire suppression systems are the industry standard for data centers. Explore how TRG Datacenters protects critical infrastructure with precision fire control. - Published: 2025-04-16 - Modified: 2025-04-16 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-fire-suppression/ - Resource Categories: Colo Assessment Fire suppression is one of those things that, when done right, you’ll never hear about. But when it’s done wrong—or worse, neglected—it becomes the most important conversation of your career. At TRG Datacenters, fire protection isn’t a box we check. It’s a core design priority, woven into every decision about how we build, scale, and secure our facilities. You don’t get second chances with fire. So we don’t leave any part of our strategy to chance. Why Fire Suppression in a Data Center Isn’t Optional Data centers house the core infrastructure of modern business. They're purpose-built to deliver uptime, security, and continuity at scale. A fire, even a small one, threatens all of that in an instant. We treat fire suppression the same way we treat power and connectivity: it must work when everything else doesn’t. Fire incidents in data centers are rare, but they do happen. A thermal failure in a UPS room, an electrical short in a generator enclosure, or a small smoldering device on the raised floor—all are legitimate ignition points. You don’t get to pick the time or the location. But you can control your response. Meeting—and Surpassing—Fire Protection Standards The fire protection standard for data centers begins with NFPA 75 and NFPA 76. These lay out how facilities should protect IT and telecom equipment from fire risks, including detection, suppression, and damage control. TRG Datacenters doesn’t just follow these standards. We go beyond them. That’s why we rely on dry pipe dual-interlock pre-action systems—because no other... --- ### The Best Open Source LLMs in 2025: What Matters, What’s Leading, and Why It’s Evolving Fast > Explore the top open source large language models (LLMs) in 2025. Learn how companies and researchers are using these models in AI applications, R&D, and real-world systems. - Published: 2025-04-09 - Modified: 2025-04-09 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-open-source-llms-2025/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA In 2025, open source large language models aren’t just tools—they're core infrastructure. Companies building products with AI, teams doing foundational research, and engineers creating next-gen applications now rely on open source LLMs for speed, flexibility, and control. With constant releases and performance improvements, it’s hard to know which models matter and why. Here’s a grounded look at where things stand now. Why Open Source LLMs Are Dominating The open source ecosystem has caught up with proprietary models in many core areas. This shift isn’t just philosophical—it’s strategic. Open source LLMs give companies full access to weights, architecture, training code, and in some cases, even datasets. That unlocks real customization. You can fine-tune a model for your own product, scale it privately, or deeply inspect its behavior for reliability. More importantly, the open source LLM race isn’t being driven by one player. Meta, Mistral, DeepSeek, AI2, and others are pushing the boundaries every quarter. There’s no single winner here. What you choose depends on your goals—raw performance, memory efficiency, multilingual support, or research-grade transparency. LLaMA 3. 1 by Meta: Leading the General-Purpose Pack Meta’s LLaMA 3. 1 is the most complete general-purpose open source LLM available today. The 405B variant shows that open source can scale up to the same levels as models like GPT-4. For companies with the infrastructure to support it, LLaMA 3. 1 offers depth, performance, and compatibility with common open source tooling. Meta has also released smaller variants, including a 70B and 8B model, making LLaMA 3.... --- ### How Hurricane Categories Impact Utility Providers and Data Centers > Discover how hurricanes of every category can disrupt utilities and data centers. Learn how the TRG Datacenters Houston Campus is built to withstand 185+ MPH winds and extended outages. - Published: 2025-04-09 - Modified: 2025-04-09 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/hurricane-categories-data-center-impacts/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Based in Houston, we know hurricanes aren’t hypothetical—they’re expected. When they hit, businesses need more than hope. They need infrastructure that doesn’t flinch under pressure. That starts with understanding how storms work and how each hurricane category brings unique risks to utility providers and data centers. Defining and Measuring Hurricane Categories The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale breaks hurricanes into five categories. It’s based on sustained wind speeds, but that’s only part of the story. For critical infrastructure, the bigger concerns often come from what those winds carry and leave behind—flooding, broken supply chains, extended power loss, and blocked access. Category 1 Category 1 storms bring winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour. These are often underestimated. Power lines snap. Roads can flood. Trees fall. If your data center relies on utility power without tested backup, you’ll start seeing blinking servers before the storm clears. Category 2 Category 2 storms are more aggressive, with winds between 96 and 110 miles per hour. Utilities face damaged substations and widespread outages. Storm prep shifts from precaution to necessity. A poorly constructed facility will start to show cracks—sometimes literally. If a center hasn’t reinforced its building envelope or tested its diesel backup, the countdown to downtime begins fast. Category 3 Category 3 storms move into major hurricane territory. With winds between 111 and 129 miles per hour, they knock down transmission towers, uproot entire trees, and disable infrastructure for days or weeks. Flooding becomes serious. Water invades low-lying facilities. If your servers are... --- ### How to Calculate Bandwidth Requirements for Your Colocation Environment > Colocation customers often overpay for unused bandwidth. Learn how to calculate your real bandwidth needs and choose the right service tier for your data center environment. - Published: 2025-04-09 - Modified: 2025-04-09 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-calculate-bandwidth-requirements-for-your-colocation-environment/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Many companies routinely oversize their bandwidth. The logic makes sense on the surface—buy more than you need, just in case. But like with power, the result is waste. You end up paying monthly for capacity you never touch. That’s avoidable. You can calculate exactly what you need by understanding how bandwidth works, how your environment uses it, and applying a simple process grounded in actual usage—not guesses. What Bandwidth Actually Measures What is bandwidth? Bandwidth isn’t speed. It’s capacity. It refers to how much data can move across a connection in a given period. If you exceed it, performance degrades. It’s measured in bits per second—usually Mbps or Gbps. For calculations, converting to bytes per second is more accurate. Divide by eight. A 1 Gbps circuit gives you 125,000,000 Bps of usable throughput. That’s the upper limit. There are two traffic directions to consider: ingress (inbound) and egress (outbound). Both count toward your total. Don’t Plan for the Peak Many teams base their bandwidth requirements on peak usage. That’s the wrong starting point. Peaks are temporary. What matters more is your sustained throughput during normal operations. Sizing for peak traffic locks you into a higher-cost service tier, even though most of your traffic stays well below that threshold. If you do need to accommodate peak periods, you can still build in buffer room—but that’s not the same as overprovisioning. Start with the Workloads The best place to start is your application behavior. What are you running, and how does it... --- ### What is MRC vs NRC? Recurring Charges vs One Time Setup Fees > Learn the key differences between Monthly Recurring Charges (MRC) and Non-Recurring Charges (NRC) in telecom and data centers. See how we simplify pricing with no MRC cross-connect fees and competitive NRCs. - Published: 2025-04-02 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-mrc-vs-nrc/ What’s the difference between MRC and NRC? If you’ve ever stared at a colocation bill or telecom invoice and wondered why some charges show up once and others show up every month, you’re not alone. The terms “MRC” and “NRC” get tossed around like everyone already knows what they mean. But if you’re running a business or trying to control IT spend, you need clarity—not jargon. Let’s get into what MRC and NRC really are, how they affect your total cost, and why the way they’re handled can be the difference between an efficient deployment and a blown-out budget. Understanding MRC: The Ongoing Cost of Access What is MRC? Monthly Recurring Charges (MRC) are the charges you pay each month to keep your infrastructure up and running. In the data center, this covers your cabinet or cage space, power, cooling, facility access, security, remote hands, and network access. Most companies expect this—it’s the cost of being live and operational. What they don’t always expect is how much MRC can balloon depending on the provider’s model. Especially when you start adding in things like cross-connects or hourly remote hands. At a lot of data centers, every cable connection to a carrier, a switch, or even another cabinet comes with an extra monthly fee. This monthly fee can be $100-$500 per month per cross connect. It adds up quickly. At TRG Datacenters, we don’t charge for MRC cross-connects. You’re already paying for the environment, the space, and the infrastructure. Charging you again... --- ### 80% NEMA Rule: What Happens When You Underprovision Power? > Description: Running over 80% of your power allocation in a colocation data center puts uptime, performance, and future growth at risk. Here's what happens when you underprovision power—and how to fix it. - Published: 2025-04-02 - Modified: 2025-04-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-80-percent-rule-nema/ - Resource Categories: Colo Assessment If you're leasing rack space in a colocation data center, your power allocation is one of the most important parts of the contract. It dictates how much equipment you can run, how much performance you can push, and how reliably your setup will operate. When you underprovision power—either by accident or in an attempt to save on monthly fees—you’re taking a gamble. And when you run consistently above the 80% capacity threshold recommended by NEMA, the odds start turning against you. The 80% Rule Isn’t Arbitrary What is the 80% rule and when is it used? In a typical colocation setup, power circuits are rated by their maximum capacity. A 20A circuit, for example, technically supports up to 20 amps. But NEMA recommends using only up to 80% of that rating for continuous loads. That’s not just an engineering suggestion—it’s based on electrical safety standards. Once you cross that line, you're operating in a range where heat, inefficiency, and risk increase. Running above 80% doesn’t mean instant failure, but it does mean the margin for error is gone. There’s no buffer. Any spike, even a small one, could trip a breaker. And in a shared data center environment, that kind of failure can cascade. You’re not just affecting yourself—you’re stressing the infrastructure that supports other clients too. Why Underprovisioning Happens Most colocation clients don't underprovision on purpose. It usually happens because you underestimated the power draw of your gear. Maybe you based your provisioning on vendor specs, not real-world usage.... --- ### NVIDIA Blackwell vs. Blackwell Ultra B300 – Which Should You Buy? Is It Worth Waiting? > Comparing NVIDIA's Blackwell B200 and Blackwell Ultra B300 GPUs for AI and data center workloads. Find out which GPU offers better performance, value, and long-term scalability. - Published: 2025-04-02 - Modified: 2025-04-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-blackwell-vs-blackwell-ultra-b300-comparison/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA NVIDIA’s Blackwell launch was already big news. Then they dropped the Blackwell Ultra B300. Now you're left wondering: Should you buy the original Blackwell, or wait for the Ultra? Is it just hype, or is there a real difference? If you're a company investing in high-performance computing, AI training, or massive inference workloads, these decisions matter. The difference between “good enough” and “game-changing” can cost or save millions over time. Let’s break it down. What Blackwell B200 Brought to the Table The original Blackwell B200 was a follow-up to the Hopper H100. With the B200, NVIDIA doubled down on AI and data center workloads. The chip had 208 billion transistors and used the latest NVLink 5. 0 for faster interconnect speeds. It also improved performance for FP8 and Transformer Engine workloads—critical for AI inference and training. It wasn’t just faster—it was more efficient. Using TSMC’s 4NP process, the B200 gave a significant bump in performance per watt. It handled up to 192GB of HBM3e memory and could deliver up to 8 PetaFLOPS of FP4 compute. For a while, it looked like the obvious choice for any organization scaling up AI. But NVIDIA wasn’t done. Then Came the Blackwell Ultra B300 On March 18, 2025, NVIDIA announced the B300. Branded as the “Ultra” version of Blackwell, it didn’t just raise the bar—it moved it entirely. This chip is fast. Nearly 1. 5x faster than the B200 in many key workloads. That includes dense FP4 compute, where it reaches 15 PetaFLOPS. It... --- ### What is GPU As a Service? > Discover how GPU as a Service empowers faster AI, high-performance computing, and scalable GPU resources with TRG Datacenters. - Published: 2025-04-01 - Modified: 2025-05-21 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-gpu-as-a-service/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The rapid evolution of technology has given rise to new and powerful ways to handle complex data processing, high-performance computing, and machine learning workloads. One of these emerging solutions is GPU as a Service, often shortened to GPUaaS. But what exactly is GPU as a Service, how does it work, and why is it so crucial in today’s rapidly expanding market for compute-intensive applications? What is GPU As a Service? (GPUaaS) GPU as a Service (GPUaaS) refers to the on-demand provisioning of GPU resources via the cloud, enabling users to leverage powerful Nvidia and other proprietary graphics processing units remotely. Instead of buying physical GPUs and installing them on-premises, organizations can tap into virtualized GPU resources hosted by providers. This model is similar to other “as a Service” offerings, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS), except it focuses on high-powered GPU resources specifically engineered for computing tasks. In a GPUaaS model, the GPUs are hosted in a data center (or multiple centers worldwide) owned by third-party providers who offer these resources as a managed service. Users access the resources through the cloud, typically paying only for the GPU resources they consume, including the computational power, memory, or specialized software libraries needed to run their workloads. This model brings tremendous flexibility, especially for organizations with variable or intermittent demand for large-scale GPU computing. Because GPUs excel at parallel computing tasks, they are particularly well-suited for machine learning and deep learning models, data analytics, high-end... --- ### Redundant Links in Networking: Failover & High Availability > Learn how to set up redundant links in data center networking to prevent downtime. Explore failover solutions, blended internet services, and multi-carrier redundancy for high availability - Published: 2025-03-20 - Modified: 2025-03-20 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/redundant-links-networking/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Uptime isn’t optional. If your network goes down, your business goes down with it. Redundant links keep that from happening, but too many businesses either overcomplicate redundancy or underinvest in it. The key is to get the balance right—enough redundancy to prevent failures without wasting budget on overengineering. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you’re running a hyperscale operation or a mid-sized enterprise, your network needs a redundancy strategy tailored to your workload, your risk tolerance, and your uptime requirements. The Problem With Single Points of Failure A single circuit, a single provider, or a single router—any of these can take down your entire network if they fail. Fiber gets cut. ISPs have outages. Hardware dies. If you rely on just one path, it’s only a matter of time before something breaks, and when it does, you’re scrambling. Redundant links give you a backup path, so when one connection drops, traffic instantly reroutes. This happens in the background, without users or applications noticing. The goal is seamless failover, not just a second link that requires manual intervention. How to Build Redundancy That Actually Works There are several ways to implement redundant links, each with different levels of complexity and cost. The right solution depends on how much downtime you’re willing to tolerate and how much you’re willing to invest in reliability. Physically Diverse Circuits: The Foundation of Redundancy A second circuit from the same provider isn’t redundancy if both fibers run through the same conduit. One backhoe and you’re offline. True... --- ### Understanding Wire Gauges: AWG, Amperage, Diameter, and Resistance > Learn how wire gauge affects power distribution. Understand amperage limits, resistance, voltage drop, and best practices for choosing the right wire size for power circuits to maximize efficiency and meet NEC requirements. - Published: 2025-03-19 - Modified: 2025-05-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-wire-gauges/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Wire gauge plays a critical role in data centers, where reliable power distribution is essential for maintaining uptime and efficiency. Selecting the right American Wire Gauge (AWG) ensures that circuits handle the required current without overheating, excessive voltage drop, or energy loss. In this article, we’ll explain how AWG affects current capacity, resistance, voltage drop, and overall performance in data center power distribution. What Is AWG? AWG, or American Wire Gauge, is a numerical system that defines the thickness of electrical wires. The numbers may seem counterintuitive: Smaller AWG numbers represent thicker wires, which carry more current. Larger AWG numbers indicate thinner wires, which have higher resistance and lower current capacity. For example, a 10 AWG wire has a diameter of 2. 588 mm and carries 30A, while a 20 AWG wire is much thinner at 0. 812 mm and only supports 5A. The relationship between AWG and wire size is inverse: as the gauge number increases, the wire diameter decreases. How Wire Gauge Affects Power Distribution Current-Carrying Capacity (Ampacity) Data centers in the United States commonly use circuits with voltages of 120V or 208V, with currents ranging from 15A to 50A. The thicker the wire, the more current it can carry safely. If a wire is too thin for the current load, it will overheat and create a fire hazard. Resistance and Energy Loss Resistance increases as the wire gets thinner. Higher resistance means greater voltage drop, reduced efficiency, and potential power issues for IT equipment. For example: 10... --- ### The Importance of Diverse Fiber Routes in Data Centers > Connectivity is the lifeline of a data center. Without diverse fiber routes, dual entrances and meet me rooms (MMRs), businesses are one cut cable away from disaster. Learn why network resilience matters just as much as power and cooling. - Published: 2025-03-10 - Modified: 2025-03-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/diverse-fiber-routes-data-center/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Data centers are built for resilience—or at least they should be. Most businesses move into a data center for redundant power and cooling infrastructure. They expect these systems to keep their operations running no matter what happens outside the facility. Yet, many of these same businesses ignore a fundamental weakness: network connectivity. They assume that because a data center has UPS, backup generators and redundant cooling, their infrastructure will be reliable. But what good is a powered-on server if it has no network access? This is where businesses expose themselves to hidden fragility. Nassim Taleb, author of The Black Swan, describes fragility as a system that looks stable but collapses under stress. A data center without network diversity is exactly that—a system that works fine under normal conditions but fails catastrophically when hit by an unexpected disruption. The problem isn’t just downtime; it’s the overconfidence that nothing will go wrong. Data Center Redundancy Isn’t Just Power and Cooling—It’s Connectivity Most businesses understand why power redundancy matters. If the grid fails, UPS immediately kicks in. If a generator fails to start or dies, a backup one is ready. The same logic applies to cooling systems. No problem. There’s another. Yet when it comes to connectivity, many businesses rely on a single fiber provider for their network. They assume that because their connection is reliable today, it will be reliable tomorrow. But fiber gets cut. Construction crews dig through lines. Utility poles snap in storms. A backhoe, a fire, or even routine... --- ### Rack and Stack: The Process Explained > Explore the rack and stack process, detailing the physical installation and configuration of IT equipment within data center racks, including assembly, mounting, cabling, and optimal deployment strategies - Published: 2025-03-06 - Modified: 2025-03-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/rack-and-stack/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA If you want to make the most of your technological capabilities, you need to know about racking and stacking. Overlook processes like these and you leave your company vulnerable to limitations that could really hold you back in the long-term. In this article, we’ll explain what we mean by the term “rack and stack” before delving into the detail to give you a brief guide to how the process works and what it can do for businesses looking to explore the incredible potential of technological innovation. What Does Rack and Stack Mean? Rack and stack is a term used to describe the process of physically installing and configuring IT equipment in racks. It’s widely used within data centers, and it’s a key part of what we do for our new customers. When we talk about racking and stacking, we’re talking about everything from the assembly, mounting and cabling of hardware, to the best possible deployment and configuration of that equipment. Servers, storage devices, cable organization, switches and all other hardware come into the equation as we plan and prepare to rack and stack. The term “racking” refers to the part of the process where our team assembles hardware on behalf of clients, setting up cabinets in such a way that they can be connected, transported and maintained with ease. Once they arrive at their destination, “stacking” begins - and that’s the deployment of the racks at the new data center. How to Prepare for a Successful Rack Integration The most... --- ###  Moves, Adds and Changes (MAC) - Everything You Need to Know about Them > Understand the significance of moves, adds, and changes (MAC) in data center operations, including examples and the critical role they play in maintaining system efficiency - Published: 2025-03-06 - Modified: 2025-03-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/moves-adds-and-changes/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA MAC stands for moves, adds and changes. It's a general term that you’ll frequently hear in data centers, and it simply refers to the routine tasks that go into keeping systems up to date and compliant with user requirements. IT teams typically look after all tasks associated with moves, adds and changes. These include everything from new installations and upgrades, to decommissions and relocations where necessary. The tasks in question can vary quite substantially in terms of size and complexity, but every one plays a vital role in keeping systems up to date and ready to go. MAC (Moves, Adds and Changes) Explained MAC processes tend to be combined into one, but there are three key parts that make up these jobs: moving, adding and changing. Moves: This is as simple as it sounds. It refers to the physical movement of equipment within data centers, or from one data center to another. Technicians will manage tasks like uninstalling devices and removing connections, before packing equipment to ensure it can be relocated safely. Adds: When we talk about ‘adds’, we really mean new installations. This can refer to both hardware and software, and is usually undertaken to harness any potential performance improvements that might be required to support a company’s growth. Changes: Changes refers to the practice of altering hardware and software in line with a company’s requirements. Usually it happens when equipment is no longer efficient enough to meet business needs, but it can sometimes be required for data backups... --- ### Data Center Hot Aisle Containment - How Technicians Can Identify and Improve It > Learn about the importance of hot aisle containment in data centers, with practical tips for technicians to enhance cooling efficiency and prevent equipment overheating - Published: 2025-03-06 - Modified: 2025-03-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-hot-aisle-containment/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Hot aisle containment is critical for maintaining cooling efficiency and preventing equipment overheating in a data center. Also known as HAC, hot aisle containment allows data centers to make use of warm air, directing airflow to a return system. This increases the efficiency of cooling systems by at least a third - and sometimes more. Technicians are vital to the management and upkeep of hot aisle containment, responsible for spotting inefficiencies and overlooked issues. Read on for advice from our experts on how to walk the floor and identify opportunities to enhance hot aisle containment in your facility. 10 Ways to Identify and Improve Hot Aisle Containment 1. Inspect Rack Layout and Alignment Begin by checking if racks are properly aligned back-to-back in the hot aisle and front-to-front in the cold aisle. As you do so, look for gaps between racks. These gaps can allow hot air to escape into the cold aisle. Common oversights include inconsistent rack alignment across rows and racks that are out of position due to equipment changes or maintenance. If you see these, you’ll want to reposition misaligned racks and install blanking panels to fill empty rack spaces and prevent air leakage. 2. Check for Gaps and Leaks Gaps around cable openings at the top or bottom of racks can leave room for leaks. Similarly, spaces under raised floors provide points at which air can easily escape or mix. Look out for things like unsealed cable passthroughs or power conduits in the racks, along with... --- ### The Future of Meet-Me Rooms > Explore the evolving role of meet-me rooms in data centers, highlighting their benefits in facilitating secure, efficient interconnections and the impact of free cross-connects on cost and growth - Published: 2025-03-06 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/meet-me-rooms/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Meet-me rooms are hugely beneficial, allowing for the fast and secure exchange of data and other traffic. The rooms enable telecommunications and network service providers to interconnect equipment, and can be great in terms of cost savings and security improvements. But without free cross connects, meet-me rooms can really ramp up costs and put the brakes on growth.   In this article, we’ll explore meet-me rooms in detail, explaining what they are and how they work. Then, we’ll talk through the difference that free cross connects makes in the use of meet-me rooms, and let you in on some of our predictions for the future of meet-me rooms globally. What is a Meet-Me Room? A meet-me room is a space you’ll find in some data centers. It allows for communications companies to exchange data with other carriers and internet service providers in the facility, and enables customers to cross-connect. Meet-me rooms are usually fairly small, secure spaces, with cabinets and racks of hardware ready to facilitate quick data transfers. The rooms allow for physical connections between ISPs and organizations. In doing so, they reduce the distance traffic needs to travel and keep data within a colocation facility.   ISP hardware in meet-me rooms enables more direct routing and networking, with cross connects joining ISP hardware and customer servers. Hardware can be connected to customer servers via cross connects, for enhanced security and efficiency. What to Look for From a Meet-Me Room Meet-me rooms vary in design and layout across data... --- ### Liquid Cooling vs Immersion Cooling: What's the Difference? > Discover the key differences between liquid and immersion cooling and choose the most efficient data center thermal management method. - Published: 2025-03-03 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/liquid-cooling-vs-immersion-cooling/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In a world of high-performance computing, data centers, and electronics, cooling solutions have grown more critical than ever. As the density of processors and the intensity of computing tasks increase, so do the demands on thermal management.   A well-optimized cooling system effectively removes heat from critical components, allowing machines to operate efficiently and at stable temperatures. Alternative methods like liquid and immersion cooling provide robust ways to manage heat in various applications.   But what exactly is the difference between liquid cooling and immersion cooling? Why does it matter if data centers require lower energy consumption and excellent reliability? And how do factors like power usage, direct contact with fluid, or using water versus other cooling mediums impact performance?   Whether you are researching new cooling systems for a modern data center or want to broaden your understanding of cutting-edge cooling methods, this post will clarify the distinctions and help you identify the best fit for your needs. What is Liquid Cooling? Liquid cooling is a system that circulates a cooling fluid often water mixed with additives through a closed loop to absorb heat from high-temperature devices.   The fluid is typically pumped through cooling blocks that directly interact with the hot components, such as the CPU or GPU, transferring heat to the fluid.   This liquid then travels to a radiator or heat exchanger, where the heat is released into the surrounding air (or another medium), and the cooled fluid is recirculated. Many people have experience with liquid... --- ### Data Center Power: Tackling AI Data Centers Demands > Explore how AI drives data center power demands, plus strategies for efficient cooling and infrastructure. - Published: 2025-03-03 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-power/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In today’s world, data is the new lifeblood of innovation. Whether it’s self-driving cars that interpret countless camera feeds or advanced language models providing real-time translations, cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping every corner of the industry.   Yet, behind the scenes, AI’s relentless appetite for data processing has spotlighted one critical but often overlooked aspect of modern technology: the power needs of data centers. If you’re running an AI-centric business or simply curious about where the global tech industry is headed, this is the right place. By the end, you’ll gain a deeper grasp of the issues and a clearer sense of the road to sustainable, high-performance AI.   In short, we’ll outline how to balance fast-paced growth with the practical reality of energy constraints while keeping pace with consumer and corporate expectations. What is Data Center Power? Data center power refers to the total electricity and related energy resources required to keep every aspect of a data center fully operational.   This includes the power drawn by servers, storage devices, networking hardware, cooling systems, and supporting infrastructure like backup generators or Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS).   In other words, when we talk about data center power, we’re talking about the entire ecosystem that delivers reliable, round-the-clock computing capacity. The AI Explosion and Rising Data Center Demands As Artificial Intelligence reshapes industries worldwide, soaring computational workloads are driving unprecedented demand for data center power and capacity Data Volumes and Model Complexity It’s safe to say we’re living in a... --- ### Single Mode vs Multimode: The Right Choice for Your Network > Learn the real differences between single mode and multimode fiber. Understand core size, bandwidth, distance, and cost to choose the right fiber optic cable for your needs. - Published: 2025-02-12 - Modified: 2025-02-12 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/single-mode-vs-multimode-fiber-comparison/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Fiber optic cables keep modern networks running, but choosing between single mode and multimode fiber isn’t as simple as it seems. You’ll find endless comparisons online, but most miss the bigger picture—your specific needs dictate the right choice. Are you building for long-haul speed and reliability or cost-effective, short-range efficiency? Let’s cut through the noise and break it down. What Makes Fiber Optics Superior? Fiber optic cables move data as light pulses through strands of glass or plastic. Unlike copper cables, which rely on electrical signals and suffer from interference, fiber optics offer higher speeds, greater bandwidth, and longer transmission distances. Whether you’re running a data center, enterprise network, or telecom infrastructure, fiber optics are the foundation of high-performance connectivity. Copper, once the backbone of networking, is rapidly being phased out. Most data centers no longer support copper connections, and very few carriers offer it as an option. The ones that do are dwindling. Finding a provider that still supports copper is becoming harder by the day. You can use a converter but if your network still relies on copper, you’re running on borrowed time. The key decision isn’t whether to use fiber—it’s which type. Single mode and multimode fiber each serve distinct purposes, and using the wrong one can cost you time, money, and efficiency. Core Differences: Single Mode vs Multimode Fiber The core—the part of the fiber where light travels—defines the fundamental differences between single mode and multimode fiber. Single mode fiber (SMF) has a tiny core, about... --- ### AI Inferencing vs Training: What's the Difference? > Discover the key differences between AI training and inference, learn use cases, and optimize your AI lifecycle for real-world success. - Published: 2025-02-04 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/ai-inferencing-vs-training-whats-the-difference/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA Artificial Intelligence (AI) has evolved from a futuristic concept to an integral part of our daily lives. From voice-activated digital assistants to self-driving cars, AI technology constantly shapes new industries and enhances existing ones.   However, these systems are very complex, especially regarding the processes that power AI models. Two terms often pop up in discussions about AI development are “inference” and “training. ” While both are essential stages in building and deploying AI applications, they serve different purposes and require different considerations. In this post, we’ll explore AI inference, how it differs from AI training, why both are necessary and how they compare in terms of computing requirements.   We’ll also explore some real-world use cases highlighting the importance of effective AI inferencing. What is AI Inference? AI inference is the stage at which a trained model is put into production to “infer” or predict outcomes based on new, previously unseen data. Think of it as the model’s day job, applying what it learned during training to real-world use. For instance, if you have a model that can detect spam emails, the inference step is when the system receives a new email and decides whether it’s spam or not based on its learned patterns. Here’s what typically happens during inference: Input Data: The system receives new data, such as an image, text, or audio clip. Model Processing: The data passes through the already-trained model, which calculates outputs (predictions or classifications). Outcome: The system provides the result, such as labeling... --- ### Optimize Your IT Budget with Our Data Center Assessment - Published: 2025-02-03 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-assessment/ - Resource Categories: Colo Assessment Ensuring your data center operates efficiently is crucial for optimizing your IT budget, and you may be unknowingly sitting on a significant reduction in your infrastructure costs. Inefficiencies in data centers can arise from multiple sources for example, over-provisioning resources, suboptimal cooling systems, and inadequate power management. Furthermore, operational risks such as human error, can compromise system reliability and lead to very costly downtime. Our expert technicians carrying out our comprehensive data center assessment can identify inefficiencies and reliability issues with your current data center, and then provide recommendations that can lead to both significant cost savings and enhanced operational stability. Benefits of Our Data Center Assessment Conducting our data center assessment offers two core advantages: Identifying Cost-Saving Opportunities: An assessment can pinpoint areas to improve operational efficiency. We've previously helped companies save up to 40% on their ongoing data center costs. Improving System Reliability: Addressing vulnerabilities reduces the risk of unexpected outages, which can be costly both financially and reputationally. What to Expect from Our Free Data Center Assessment Our team of experts will perform a thorough evaluation of your data center, focusing on: Energy Consumption Analysis: Assessing current energy usage (kW) to identify inefficiencies and recommend improvements. Bandwidth Use: Analyzing your current bandwidth utilization to ensure you are not overpaying for unused capacity. Rack Evaluation: Reviewing the number of racks in use and optimizing for space and cost efficiency. Cross Connects: Reviewing your current costs here and looking for reductions, for example cross-connects are free at TRG, offering... --- ### What is Cloud Direct Connect? > Discover how Cloud Direct Connect provides a secure, private link to the cloud for better performance, lower latency, and cost savings. - Published: 2025-02-03 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-cloud-direct-connect/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In an era where businesses depend heavily on reliable, high-speed internet access and uninterrupted availability of cloud services, ensuring consistent network performance is essential.   Cloud Direct Connect is one of the strongest ways to achieve this performance. This dedicated network connection bypasses the public internet and delivers more control, security, and flexibility. While many know about virtual private networks (VPNs) for linking on-premises infrastructure to cloud environments, Cloud Direct Connect takes things further. It’s an offering (made popular by providers like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud) that creates a private link between your data center or on-premises network and the cloud provider’s infrastructure. Below, we’ll explore Cloud Direct Connects, how it works, its benefits, common use cases, and important considerations for businesses looking to adopt it. What is Cloud Direct Connect?   Cloud Direct Connect is a specialized network service at its core (often referred to by specific provider names such as AWS Direct Connect, Azure ExpressRoute, or Google Cloud Interconnect).   Instead of routing traffic through the public internet, this service allows organizations to create a dedicated, private connection directly linking their physical or virtual data centers to a cloud provider’s network. The technical details vary slightly across cloud providers. Still, the underlying premise is the same: a dedicated network link that offers lower latency, better performance consistency, and enhanced security when transferring large volumes of data. How Cloud Direct Connect Works While the intricate workings can vary, a typical scenario follows these general steps: Physical Infrastructure Setup... --- ### How Are AI Data Centers Changing Infrastructure? > Explore how AI data centers transform power, cooling, and design for next-gen computing at TRG Datacenters. - Published: 2025-02-03 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-are-ai-data-centers-changing-infrastructure/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA If you’ve been following tech trends lately, you’ve probably noticed that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. From predictive text on your phone to personalized shopping recommendations, AI-powered solutions are woven into our daily routines.   But behind all these cool applications are powerful data centers working overtime to deliver speedy results. And as AI keeps pushing the limits of what’s possible, these data centers are getting a major makeover. So, how exactly are AI data centers changing infrastructure as we know it? In this post, we’ll explore why AI-centric facilities differ from traditional setups, how they manage massive computing loads, and consider what this all means for the future of data centers. Whether you’re a data center enthusiast, a tech professional, or just curious about the inner workings of AI, you’ll find plenty of insights here. What is An AI Data Centre? An AI data centre is a facility specifically designed to handle the high-intensity computing tasks required by artificial intelligence (AI) workloads.   Traditional data centres usually focus on applications like websites, databases, and email servers and rely heavily on CPU-based architectures.   In contrast, AI data centres incorporate an array of high-performance hardware, especially GPUs and other AI accelerators, to accommodate the immense processing power needed for machine learning (ML) and deep learning tasks. AI data centres also differ in how they manage data. Because AI relies on massive datasets to train, validate, and infer predictions, these facilities are optimized for high-volume data transfer and storage.   Additionally,... --- ### OSI Model Explained: The 7 Layers Every Networking Pro Must Know > What is the OSI model? Learn the 7 layers of the OSI model explained with real-world applications, a TCP/IP comparison, and why it still matters in networking today. - Published: 2025-02-03 - Modified: 2025-02-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/osi-model-explained/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA The OSI Model Isn’t Just Theory—It’s the Key to Understanding Networks If you work in networking, data centers, or IT infrastructure, you’ve heard of the OSI model. Some dismiss it as outdated, claiming real-world networks follow the TCP/IP model instead. While that’s true in practical implementation, the OSI model remains the most effective way to break down network communication into logical layers. It’s the foundation for understanding how data moves, how devices communicate, and where problems occur when things break. Whether you're just getting started in networking or you’re an experienced engineer looking for a solid reference, this is the breakdown you need. By the end of this article, you’ll have a deep understanding of what the OSI model is, how its seven layers function, how it compares to the TCP/IP model, and why it still matters in modern networking. What Is the OSI Model? The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model is a conceptual framework that defines how data travels between devices in a network. Created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the OSI model was designed to ensure different systems could communicate seamlessly, regardless of manufacturer or architecture. While it’s not a perfect reflection of real-world networks, the OSI model provides an essential reference for diagnosing network issues, designing scalable infrastructure, and understanding where different technologies operate. Instead of viewing a network as a black box where data magically moves from point A to point B, the OSI model breaks it down into seven distinct layers, each handling... --- ### Rack-Mounted Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS): Reliable Power for Single-Corded Devices > Discover how a rack-mounted Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) ensures power redundancy for single-corded IT equipment, preventing downtime and protecting critical operations in data centers, network closets, and more - Published: 2025-01-29 - Modified: 2025-01-29 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/rack-mounted-ats-power-redundancy/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA A rack-mounted Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS) is critical or businesses relying on single-corded IT equipment in their server racks. These devices provide redundancy and ensure uninterrupted power by automatically switching between two power sources—typically a primary source and a backup—in case of a failure. Without an ATS, single-corded equipment is vulnerable to power outages, downtime, and data loss. This article explores the importance of a rack-mounted ATS, its benefits, and why it’s an essential addition to server racks in various industries, not just data centers. What Is a Rack-Mounted ATS? A rack-mounted ATS is a compact device designed to fit seamlessly into standard server racks. It monitors the primary power source and automatically transfers the load to a secondary power source when a disruption occurs. For IT equipment with only one power cord, the ATS is vital for providing redundant power without requiring a redesign of existing systems. The device operates in the background, ensuring critical infrastructure continues to function even during maintenance or unexpected power failures. Most modern rack-mounted ATS units also come equipped with monitoring and management features, allowing IT staff to track power status, set preferences, and ensure the seamless operation of sensitive devices. Why Use a Rack-Mounted ATS for Single-Corded Devices? Power Redundancy for Critical IT Equipment Single-corded devices are somewhat common server rooms and data centers, especially older equipment or devices designed for specific tasks. Without a secondary power source, these devices are at risk of shutting down during power interruptions. A rack-mounted ATS provides... --- ### Best VMware Alternatives in 2025: Is It Time for a New Cloud Strategy? > Explore VMware alternatives, including Hyper-V, OpenStack, and Nutanix. Learn how to optimize cloud infrastructure, reduce costs, and secure your cloud strategy after the VMware-Broadcom acquisition. - Published: 2025-01-14 - Modified: 2025-01-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-vmware-alternatives-cloud-strategy/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA VMware became the tech world’s hottest soap opera after its Broadcom acquisition in November 2023, and if your infrastructure relies on it, you’re likely caught in the drama. What’s your plan to tackle these challenges in 2025? Here’s a quick recap of the situation and some recommendations if you’re thinking about making a change. Broadcom and VMware: A Turning Point in Cloud Infrastructure When Broadcom finalized its $61 billion acquisition of VMware, it sent shockwaves through the cloud infrastructure world. VMware, long a trusted leader in virtualization and private cloud solutions, now faces an uncertain future under Broadcom’s cost-cutting, profit-driven management style. This shift has left businesses—both enterprise-level and SMBs—scrambling to evaluate their reliance on VMware’s hypervisors, cloud licensing, and virtualization platforms. Questions like “Which is better than VMware? ” or “What is the best alternative for VMware? ” are now front and center in strategic planning sessions. Concerns include skyrocketing licensing costs, declining support, and a potential slowdown in product innovation. This is particularly troubling for businesses deeply invested in VMware ESXi for hypervisor needs or organizations balancing cloud cost optimization with private cloud investments. Why It Matters to Your Cloud Strategy VMware’s tools, such as vSphere, vSAN, and NSX, have long been central to enterprise cloud infrastructure. They deliver the foundation for virtualization, enabling businesses to scale private cloud environments and optimize workloads. But Broadcom’s track record leaves businesses asking tough questions. Will VMware prioritize its largest customers, leaving others in the dust? Will open-source or enterprise-focused VMware... --- ### Houston’s Energy Revolution: How HPC is Powering Oil and Gas > Explore how Houston’s oil and gas companies use high-performance computing (HPC) and AI to transform seismic imaging, reservoir modeling, and drilling optimization, driving faster, more efficient energy production - Published: 2025-01-09 - Modified: 2025-01-09 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/houston-energy-revolution-hpc-oil-and-gas/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Houston isn’t just the energy capital of the world. It’s the innovation center where high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence (AI) are accelerating the next-generation of oil and gas technologies. From seismic imaging to real-time drilling optimization, HPC is driving faster, smarter, and more efficient operations across the energy industry. Key Industry Insights: Houston’s Energy Hub: 600 exploration and production firms, 1,100 oilfield service companies, and over 180 pipeline transportation establishments are based here. Public Companies: Of the 113 publicly traded energy companies nationwide, 44 are in Houston. Global and regional headquarters include Exxon, BP, Chevron, Shell, Citgo, and ConocoPhillips. Market Growth: The global market for AI applications in oil and gas is projected to grow from $3 billion in 2024 to $5. 2 billion by 2029. AI Adoption: A recent survey found 92% of oil and gas companies worldwide are investing in AI or planning to do so within five years. Productivity Gains: Over the past 15 years, U. S. daily oil output increased by 60%, using 40% fewer workers, driven largely by technology like HPC and AI. AI Usage: Nearly half (47%) of oil and gas professionals expected to integrate AI into operations by 2024. Updates on this adoption are forthcoming. The industry generates massive amounts of data, estimated at 1. 5 to 2. 5 exabytes annually. Managing, analyzing, and extracting value from this data is a critical challenge. HPC and AI play complementary roles in this process. HPC provides the infrastructure to crunch massive datasets, while AI... --- ### What Is kVA? Understanding kVA, kW, and How to Calculate kVA > Discover what kVA is, how it differs from kW, and how to calculate it. Learn its importance in electrical systems, diesel generators, transformers, and more. - Published: 2024-12-31 - Modified: 2024-12-31 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-kva-how-to-calculate/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA What is kVA? kVA, or kilovolt-amperes, is a foundational concept in electrical systems. It’s one of those things every professional in the field—whether you’re an electrical engineer, an electrician, or a data center designer—needs to not just understand but really master. At TRG Datacenters, we see this every day. kVA touches every decision we make when it comes to building resilient, efficient, and scalable infrastructures. Let’s break it down, from the basics to the advanced, and keep it practical for real-world applications. kVA in Simple Terms? Think of kVA as the total power available in an electrical system. It’s a measure of apparent power, which includes two key components: real power (measured in kW) and reactive power. Real power is what actually gets work done—it powers your servers, your cooling systems, and your lights. Reactive power, on the other hand, doesn’t do any direct work, but it’s critical. It maintains the voltage needed for current to flow, especially in systems with inductive loads like motors or transformers. kVA gives you the complete picture of what a system can handle, making it essential for capacity planning. The Difference Between kW and kVA The distinction between kW and kVA boils down to efficiency. kW measures real power, while kVA includes the total power, both real and reactive. The ratio between the two is the power factor, which indicates how efficiently a system converts apparent power into real power. Most systems operate with a power factor between 0. 7 and 0. 95, depending... --- ### Elucidating on AWS GPU Pricing: Learn What Makes a Difference > Learn the fundamentals of AWS GPU pricing and everything you need to know about GPU instances, cost models, influencing factors, and cost optimization. - Published: 2024-12-27 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/aws-gpu-pricing/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The demand for high-performance computing has skyrocketed with the rapid growth of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, and 3D rendering applications. However, the unreal costs of installing GPUs with enough specification to power such applications are keeping businesses away from adapting to the latest market-breaking technologies.   AI colocation has the answer to this burning question. Simply put, using robust GPUs remotely. In even simpler terms, data centers enable businesses to use the most powerful GPUs in the world.   In the world of GPU colocation, there are two big names, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and TRG data centers. These leading cloud providers offer a range of GPU-powered instances that cater to these demanding applications.   GPU colocation services from TRG let you harness the power of the best GPUs without the high upfront costs of owning and maintaining the hardware. However, navigating AWS GPU pricing can be complex. There are various instances, types, models, and countless other things that should be considered only then you can make an informed decision. Whether you’re training machine learning models, running simulations, or rendering high-quality graphics, choosing the right GPU instance at the right price can significantly impact your business operations or performance. This comprehensive guide breaks down AWS GPU pricing, we’ll explore different pricing models and all the factors that could influence costs, and practical strategies to optimize your expenses. Let’s jump right in! AWS Services: What are They? AWS EC2, or Amazon Web Services Elastic Compute Cloud, is a service... --- ### NVIDIA Blackwell GPU: Revolutionizing AI and Deep Learning > Discover the NVIDIA Blackwell GPU's revolutionary architecture. Unmatched performance for AI, deep learning, and accelerated computing. - Published: 2024-12-27 - Modified: 2024-12-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-blackwell/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA One thing we all know about AI is that AI has been making for quite some time now and there’s no chance of it stopping anytime soon. And do you know what this new wave is powered by? The NVIDIA Blackwell GPU. It has 208 billion transistors on TSMC’s 4NP process. It stands as a true game changer. It supports advanced deep learning tasks, real-time data analysis, and next-level accelerated computing. This transformative technology has found a natural ally in GPU colocation services. Its unique hardware design ensures efficiency and energy conservation at scale. GPU colocation makes this technology more accessible. It removes big upfront costs and ensures better scalability for businesses of any size. This approach addresses major concerns around cost, space, and power.   Blackwell outperforms previous generations like NVIDIA H200. It pushes AI-driven applications to new frontiers. This performance sets the standard for modern data pipelines and complex computations. It raises the bar for everything from large-scale neural networks to intricate data analytics. Blackwell stands as the future of AI. Ready to learn more?   The Blackwell Architecture The NVIDIA Blackwell GPU, named after the renowned mathematician David Blackwell, carries forward NVIDIA’s tradition of groundbreaking architectures. It builds on the legacy of the NVIDIA H200, introducing innovations that set a new benchmark for GPU performance and design. With its focus on efficiency, scalability, and versatility, Blackwell is perfectly suited for everything from autonomous systems to natural language processing and generative AI. At the heart of this revolutionary... --- ### NVIDIA DGX Buyers Guide: Everything You Need to Know > Learn about NVIDIA DGX, a cutting- edge AI development platform that includes all necessary hardware and software for AI innovation at scale. Discover where to buy it from and how to store it. - Published: 2024-12-19 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-dgx-buyers-guide-everything-you-need-to-know/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA Are you looking to purchase hardware infrastructure for AI workloads? Various options are available, so consider your organization’s specific needs. If you have the time and resources, you may invest in custom GPU boards and build your server racks. However, for a ready-to-use approach, turn-key solutions offer a combination of hardware and software designed to run any AI workload. One such solution is the NVIDIA DGX, a supercomputer designed to meet enterprise AI demands. This article explores everything you need to know to determine if the DGX is the right fit for your organization’s AI infrastructure. What is NVIDIA DGX? An NVIDIA DGX system is a supercomputing platform that combines cutting-edge NVIDIA hardware and software with state-of-the-art AI GPUs for production-ready development. With AI capabilities accelerating rapidly, teams are expected to deliver smarter chatbots, complex recommendation systems, and generative AI capabilities in every operational aspect. To maintain a competitive edge, organizations need a full-stack technology solution that can meet customer demands and drive innovation. NVIDIA DGX systems integrate into existing infrastructure and help organizations scale AI innovation at a rapid pace. Launched specifically for enterprise AI in 2016, the NVIDIA DGX platform incorporates nearly a decade of NVIDIA’s AI expertise. Every component of the platform has been designed and improved based on the learnings from previous training runs and AI breakthroughs. This institutional knowledge, incorporated into the design, gives you direct access to the same software tools and computing infrastructure that delivers NVIDIA innovation. With a DGX system, your developers... --- ### AMD Instinct MI300X vs. NVIDIA H100 - Published: 2024-12-18 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/mi300x-vs-h100/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) has intensified the demand for high-performance computing solutions. Two prominent contenders in this arena are AMD's Instinct MI300X and NVIDIA's H100 GPUs. Both are engineered to accelerate AI workloads, but they differ in architecture, performance metrics, and efficiency. This article delves into these differences, supported by benchmark tests and graphical analyses. Architectural Overview AMD Instinct MI300X The MI300X is AMD's flagship AI GPU, built on the CDNA 3 architecture. It features a substantial 192 GB of HBM3 memory, delivering up to 5. 3 TB/s of memory bandwidth. The GPU boasts a peak performance of 1. 31 petaflops at FP16 precision, positioning it as a formidable competitor in the AI landscape. NVIDIA H100 NVIDIA's H100 GPU is based on the Hopper architecture and comes with 80 GB of HBM2e memory, offering up to 3. 35 TB/s of memory bandwidth. It achieves a peak performance of 989. 5 teraflops at FP16 precision. NVIDIA has also introduced the H200, which narrows the gap with increased memory capacity and bandwidth. Performance Benchmarks Compute Throughput In low-level benchmarks, the MI300X demonstrates superior instruction throughput compared to the H100. Tests reveal that the MI300X can be up to five times faster in certain operations, with a minimum advantage of approximately 40%. Memory Bandwidth and Latency The MI300X outperforms the H100 in memory bandwidth, offering 60% more bandwidth and more than double the memory capacity. However, the H100 exhibits 57% lower memory latency, which can influence... --- ### What is Hybrid Cloud Management? > Learn what hybrid cloud management is and how to optimize costs, performance, and security across cloud environments. - Published: 2024-12-17 - Modified: 2024-12-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-hybrid-cloud-management/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA As organizations embrace cloud technology to modernize their IT infrastructure, many opt for public and private cloud solutions to meet specific business needs. This combination is referred to as a hybrid cloud. However, managing such an environment can be challenging. Hybrid cloud management solves this problem by providing tools and strategies to monitor, optimize, and secure workloads across multiple cloud platforms. In this blog, we’ll explain hybrid cloud management, why it’s important, its benefits, challenges, and best practices to help you maximize your hybrid cloud infrastructure. What is Hybrid Cloud Management? Hybrid cloud management refers to the processes, tools, and practices for managing workloads, resources, and data in hybrid cloud environments. A hybrid cloud combines: Public Clouds: Third-party services like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud. Private Clouds: On-premises or dedicated hosted environments. Hybrid cloud management aims to unify these environments, ensuring seamless integration, visibility, and control. This approach enables organizations to balance performance, costs, and security without sacrificing flexibility. Key Features of Hybrid Cloud Management Effective hybrid cloud management platforms typically include the following features: 1. Unified Monitoring Centralized dashboards provide complete visibility into resources, applications, and workloads across public and private clouds. 2. Automation and Orchestration Tools automate provisioning, scaling, and workload distribution to streamline operations. 3. Cost Optimization Advanced analytics help track usage patterns, optimize resources, and reduce cloud expenses. 4. Security and Compliance Management Unified security tools ensure consistent encryption, identity management, and access controls across environments. 5. Performance Management Platforms monitor workloads to ensure optimal... --- ### Best Practices for Data Center Automation > Discover strategic, operational, and technical best practices to elevate data center automation at TRG Datacenters. - Published: 2024-12-17 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practices-for-data-center-automation/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the complexity and scale of data centers are pushing organizations to seek more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective ways of managing their IT infrastructure.   Automation has emerged as a cornerstone strategy, enabling data center operators to handle exponential growth and ensure agility, security, and operational excellence. To guide your automation journey, we’ll break down these best practices into strategic, operational, and technical considerations. What is Data Center Automation? Data center automation refers to the use of software and technology-driven solutions to perform routine, repetitive tasks within a data center environment, without continuous human intervention.   Traditional data centers relied heavily on manual processes, system admins or engineers physically provisioning servers, configuring network equipment, or patching software.   As data centers expanded in size and complexity, these manual approaches became slow, costly, and error-prone. Key Characteristics of Data Center Automation Repeatability: Automated processes are executed the same way each time, ensuring consistent outcomes and reducing variability. Scalability: As demand grows, automation platforms can easily scale up, provisioning additional resources or adjusting workflows without overextending the operations team. Efficiency: Tasks that previously took hours or days can often be completed in minutes, lowering operational costs and freeing personnel for value-added projects. Integration: Automated solutions can integrate seamlessly with monitoring, analytics, security, and orchestration tools, providing a holistic approach to managing complex IT ecosystems. Automation extends beyond traditional operational gains for organizations that partner with advanced colocation services. It offers a blueprint for future-proofing data center operations,... --- ### How GPUs Fuel the Growth of AI and Machine Learning > Learn how GPUs drive the efficiency of AI systems, enabling rapid training, large-scale data processing, and faster inference across industries. - Published: 2024-12-11 - Modified: 2024-12-11 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-for-ai/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA In the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the tools and technologies we rely on are advancing at an unprecedented breakneck pace. Among the most critical components in this revolution are Graphics Processing Units, or GPUs. Initially used exclusively for rendering images and graphics, GPUs have become indispensable for powering AI computations and enabling the development of complex models in much broader applications. At TRG, the intersection of GPUs and AI presents an opportunity to provide the necessary infrastructure to support transformation across various industries and applications. What is a GPU, and Why Does it Support AI? A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a specialized processor designed originally to handle the complex calculations required for rendering images and video. GPUs differ from Central Processing Units (CPUs), which handle general-purpose computing tasks in a more sequential manner. GPUs are optimized for parallel processing, meaning they can perform many calculations simultaneously, opening the potential for more efficient work and technology-enabled outcomes. Why GPUs are Key to AI Capabilities This parallelism is key to their role in broader artificial intelligence capabilities. While CPUs process tasks in a step-by-step fashion, often handling only a few threads at a time, GPUs can process thousands of tasks simultaneously. In AI, where computations such as matrix multiplications and neural network training require vast amounts of data to be processed concurrently, GPUs provide a significant performance advantage that occurs at an exponentially faster speed than its technology predecessors. What GPU is Best for AI? At the... --- ### NVIDIA GPUs H200 vs. H100 - A detailed comparison guide - Published: 2024-12-11 - Modified: 2024-12-11 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200-vs-h100/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA As the global leader in AI hardware, NVIDIA is continuously researching and innovating GPU architecture for next-generation AI workloads. NVIDIA Hopper GPUs contain 80 billion transistors that deliver incredible performance for generative AI training and inference. Both H100 and H200 are based on Hopper architecture, but H200 offers nearly double the memory capacity and performance as compared to H100. This article explores technical and performance differences between H100 and H200 so you can choose the best one for your workload. Hopper architecture overview Named after computing pioneer Grace Hopper, NVIDIA Hopper architecture introduced novel innovations for accelerating large-scale computations and complex data operations. Based on the Multi-Instance GPU (MIG) concept, it partitions a single GPU into smaller isolated instances so various workloads can run in parallel without interfering with each other. Each instance has access to more memory and compute resources for improved multi-tenancy. NVIDIA Grace-Hopper architecture overview (Source) While prior architectures took a CPU vs. GPU approach to AI hardware, NVIDIA integrated the two concepts with Hopper architecture. It unified memory to reduce latency between CPU and GPU operations. The Grace CPU and Hopper GPU each have their own physical memory for retaining data between operations. The System Page Table translates memory allocations so the CPU and GPU can access each other’s memory. The NVLink C2C, an ultra-fast interconnect, allows them to exchange data without the bottleneck of a traditional PCIe interface. Efficient memory sharing due to NVLink and Systems Page Table allows Hopper GPU systems to process data... --- ### NVIDIA H200 Price Guide - Published: 2024-12-03 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200-price-guide/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The NVIDIA H200 is the latest NVIDIA GPU made using Hopper architecture. It is a memory-upgraded version of the H100 and offers significant performance optimization with reduced power consumption and running costs.   Despite offering 50% more performance improvement, the NVIDIA H200 is only slightly more expensive than the H100. So how much does it cost, and is it worth the investment? This article explores NVIDIA H200 pricing and scenarios when the H200 purchase is optimal. What makes the NVIDIA H200 stand out? The NVIDIA H200 sets a new benchmark in Hopper architecture-based GPU performance. It can meet both performance and sustainability demands. Key features include: Larger, faster memory The NVIDIA H200 offers nearly double the GPU memory of the H100. (141GB instead of the previous 80-90 GB). GPU memory bandwidth has also been increased 1. 5X times from 3. 35TB/s to 4. 8 TB/s. The significantly upgraded memory enables faster data access and improved bandwidth for data-heavy workloads. You get smoother and quicker processing without bottlenecks. High-performing LLM inference The H200 is designed to meet the demands of modern large language models. It offers up to 1. 5x to 2x faster inference for 13B to 175B+ parameter models. It delivers speed and precision in inference tasks, making it a game-changer for organizations focusing on AI model development. Supercharged high-performance computing The H200’s high memory bandwidth enables faster data transfer and reduces complex processing bottlenecks in HPC applications like scientific research, simulations, and genomics. Efficient data access and manipulation gives... --- ### H100 vs RTX 4090: Which GPU is Right for You? > Explore how NVIDIA H100 and RTX 4090 stack up in AI workloads, deep learning, and gaming. Which GPU meets your needs? Let’s find out. - Published: 2024-12-03 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/h100-vs-4090/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA In this modern age of AI and machine learning, it’s no secret that you need some hardcore, serious horsepower to keep up. That’s exactly where GPUs come into play. Today, we’re pitting two heavyweights against each other: the NVIDIA H100, a beast built for AI and machine learning, and the RTX 4090, a gaming superstar trying to flex in the AI world. The big question is, can the RTX 4090 handle demanding AI tasks, or do you need the H100’s raw power? Whether you’re training massive models, crunching data, or figuring out the best GPU for AI, we’ve got you covered. We’ll explore benchmarks, real-world use cases, and even power configurations to help you decide. And here’s a pro tip. Running these GPUs isn’t as simple as plugging them into your workstation. They thrive in setups like TRG’s data centers, where advanced infrastructure supports their full potential. From GPU colocation to AI-friendly environments, we’ll show you why data centers are key to making the most of these powerful GPUs. Let’s jump in. NVIDIA H100: Built for Serious AI Tasks The NVIDIA H100 is made for heavy-duty AI tasks thanks to its advanced computational power. It’s powered by the Hopper architecture, which brings in features that make it a perfect fit for handling massive workloads like training large AI models or running complex simulations. Here’s what makes the H100 so special: Transformer Engine: This is what gives the H100 its edge in AI. It’s specially designed to handle transformer models (think... --- ### What is Data Center Virtualization? A Complete Guide > Learn what data center virtualization is, its benefits, and how it transforms IT efficiency with TRG Datacenters. - Published: 2024-12-02 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-visualization/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Data centers have undergone a significant transformation in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. One key innovation driving this change is data center virtualization.   But what exactly does it mean, and why is it crucial for businesses aiming to stay competitive? In this article, we’ll explore data center virtualization, how it works, its benefits, and why organizations across industries are embracing it to streamline operations, enhance scalability, and reduce costs. What is Data Center Virtualization? Data center virtualization refers to the process of creating a virtual data center that includes servers, storage, networks, and other infrastructure components.   Instead of relying solely on physical hardware, virtualization allows these resources to be pooled, abstracted, and delivered as services through software. Imagine your traditional physical data center: rows of servers, storage devices, and networking equipment. With virtualization, these physical components are simulated in software, allowing organizations to run multiple virtual data centers on the same hardware.   This abstraction layer creates flexibility, efficiency, and significant cost savings. How Does Data Center Virtualization Work? Data center virtualization relies on virtualization software, commonly referred to as a hypervisor.   The hypervisor acts as a bridge between the physical hardware and the virtualized environment, dividing hardware resources into isolated virtual environments called virtual machines (VMs) or containers.   Each VM can run its own operating system and applications as if it were a standalone physical machine. Here’s a simplified breakdown: Hardware Layer: Physical servers, storage, and networking devices form the foundation. Virtualization Layer: Hypervisors like... --- ### The Best GPUs for Machine Learning in 2025  > Discover the best GPU for machine learning. Compare top GPUs for AI, deep learning, and high-performance computing to make the right choice. - Published: 2024-11-28 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-gpus-for-machine-learning/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA Initially, GPUs were created to process data from a central processor and render images for display. But modern GPUs? They do far more than just image rendering. Today’s GPUs handle complex 2D and 3D graphics in real-time and deliver far smoother frame rates and higher resolution. As technology advanced, GPUs became essential for tasks like 3D modeling, CAD drawings, video editing, and special effects in movies. With the rise of AI, GPUs evolved to power machine learning. Imagine building a model that can diagnose a complex medical condition in minutes. For instance, a data scientist might spend weeks compiling data to create a deep-learning model that identifies cancer signs. While promising, these models can often fail—crashing or lagging—because traditional CPUs can’t handle the enormous data loads and complexity. This is one of the biggest challenges in deep learning: the training phase. A model must learn from millions of images while maintaining performance. This is where GPU colocation becomes invaluable. By using colocation services, businesses, and researchers access powerful GPUs in top-tier data centers without the cost of building their own infrastructure. This setup simplifies handling massive datasets and accelerates breakthroughs in science and technology. As data volumes grow and machine learning becomes more complex, the demand for faster, more powerful GPUs increases daily. This blog will take a deep dive into the world of GPUs being used for deep learning, the factors to consider when buying one, and a detailed analysis of what GPU performs the best under extreme amounts... --- ### NVIDIA H100 Price - Is It Worth the Investment? - Published: 2024-11-26 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h100-price/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The NVIDIA H100 is a cutting-edge GPU chip based on the NVIDIA Grace-Hopper architecture. With 80 billion transistors and a unified memory that integrates CPU-GPU components, the H100 is designed for large-scale, high-performance workloads.   However, with H200 released and Blackwell on the way, is NVIDIA H100 a wise investment choice? Is purchasing worth it, given H100's availability in the cloud? This article explores H100 pricing, buying options, and why you should consider investing in this hardware. Understanding NVIDIA H100 price The NVIDIA H100 is available in two main configurations. H100 SXM5 GPU The H100 SXM5 configuration uses NVIDIA’s custom-built SXM5 board with H100 GPU, fourth-generation NVLink, HBM3 memory stacks, and PCIe Gen 5 connectivity. It is available through HGX H100 server boards with 4-GPU and 8-GPU configurations. Each GPU has 80 GB memory and 3. 35TB/s memory bandwidth. Pricing starts at US$27,000 for a single GPU and can increase to US$108,000 for four and US$216,000 for an eight-GPU board. H100 NVL GPU The H100 NVL GPU includes everything as SXM but better. Each GPU has 96 GB memory and 3. 9TB/s memory bandwidth. The H100 NVL design has two PCIe cards connected through three NVLink Gen4 bridges. You can think of it as double GPU power in a single GPU. This means you get double throughput for half the power consumption (350-400 Watts instead of SXM 700W) The price for a single GPU board starts at US$29000. You can choose from 1-8 GPUs in your custom server board—the price... --- ### Analyzing The 5 Best NVIDIA Data Center GPUs  > Explore the best NVIDIA data center GPUs, their unique architectures, use cases, and how TRG Data Centers offers optimized solutions for your needs. - Published: 2024-11-26 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-data-center-gpus/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA As the leading GPU company, NVIDIA never fails to create amazing GPUs that stun the world. In over a decade of creation, the company’s inventions have no match. With the demand for HPC evolving, NVIDIA keeps coming up with answers. Let’s just take a look at the diverse architectures like Ampere and Lovelace. Everything NVIDIA creates is truly breathtaking. Running these beasts requires dedicated servers and regulated temperatures, fortunately, TRG Datacenters have the solution for that. Using GPU colocation, you can use even the most powerful NVIDIA data center GPUs using our servers. This means if you are a data scientist, researcher, or an individual who wants to train large-language models or a corporation trying to power your workplace with the robust strength of data center GPUs, you can rely on us. This article will explore NVIDIA data center GPUs, their use cases, and everything you need to know about them. Comprehending this complex model might be difficult for now, but after this article deeply explores the dynamics of how data centers work, you will get a crystal clear representation of how you can use the most powerful machines today. Without further ado, let’s take the plunge into the depths of GPUs. NVIDIA Data Center GPU: What Makes Them Different From Regular GPUs You might wonder what sets a data center GPU apart from a regular GPU. Well, there are several differences, and they are pretty prominent. One of the major differences is the power. This section will help explore... --- ### Is the NVIDIA H200 Available?—All Your H200 Questions Answered - Published: 2024-11-18 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The NVIDIA H200 GPUs, released in mid-2024, are widely available in most countries. While some supply constraints remain, you can still get your hands on these GPU servers within a few months. But is it worth investing in the H200? Should you choose between cloud-based or on-prem solutions? How can you best store and manage your NVIDIA H200 GPU servers?   This article explores NVIDIA H200 features, applications, and benefits. We also compare it with similar products and discuss pricing, power consumption, and other practical considerations. What is NVIDIA H200? The NVIDIA H200 is the latest NVIDIA GPU based on cutting-edge Hopper architecture. It offers enhanced memory and performance capabilities compared to the previous H100 GPUs. Improved speed and more energy optimization features mean your AI and HPC workloads cost much less run to run. Depending on your AI usage, switching to the H200 can cut costs by as much as 50%!   The NVIDIA H200 is available as NVL (NVIDIA Virtual Link) and SXM (Secure eXpress Module). NVL is a PCIe-based GPU designed for use in standard data center servers. It is compact and more energy-efficient. The SXM offers increased memory capacity, but its larger size and increased cooling requirements consume more power. You can purchase the NVIDIA H200 GPUs to add to your current data center infrastructure or purchase ready-to-use data center servers and clusters from NVIDIA solution partners. You can also consider investing in the NVIDIA DGX™ platform—it combines H200 GPUs with the best NVIDIA software and... --- ### NVIDIA H200 vs. Blackwell: Which Should You Buy for Your AI and ML Workloads? > Compare NVIDIA H200 vs. Blackwell GPUs: costs, performance, release dates, and lifespan to decide the best choice for your AI and ML workloads. - Published: 2024-11-13 - Modified: 2024-11-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h200-vs-blackwell/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) continue to advance, GPU hardware powering these technologies becomes increasingly crucial. Large language models (LLMs) and complex algorithms demand immense computational power, and NVIDIA remains a leader in providing solutions to meet these needs. With the announcement of NVIDIA Blackwell GPUs at GTC and the release of NVIDIA H200 in Q4 2025, buyers face a pivotal decision: invest in the H200 now or wait for cutting-edge Blackwell GPUs? In this comprehensive analysis, we'll explore the cost, release dates, performance, and lifespan of both the NVIDIA H200 and Blackwell GPUs. We'll also delve into recent insights and benchmark results to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your AI and ML objectives. The Significance of GPU Selection Selecting the right GPU is more than a technical decision; it's a strategic move that can significantly impact your AI and ML projects and budget. GPUs are the engines driving the computational demands of training and deploying LLMs. The appropriate GPU can reduce training times from weeks to days, improve inference speeds, and enable the handling of larger, more complex models. Conversely, an ill-suited GPU can bottleneck your projects, leading to delays and increased costs. Selecting between the NVIDIA H200 and Blackwell GPUs involves aligning your hardware investment with your strategic goals, budget constraints, and project timelines. NVIDIA H200: The Evolution Continues NVIDIA H200 Overview and Release Timing Building upon the success of its predecessor, the H100, the NVIDIA H200 is part of the... --- ### NVIDIA H100 Power Consumption and Its Impact on High-Performance Computing > Planning on buying NVIDIA’s immensely powerful H100? Considering the H100 power consumption, it might or might not be the best choice. Here is why. - Published: 2024-11-13 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/nvidia-h100-power-consumption/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA Imagine powering an entire household—or three—just to run a single GPU. That’s the power draw of NVIDIA’s H100, which demands up to 700 watts per unit. But don’t let the high wattage fool you: this beast of a machine can handle some of the most complex AI and high-performance computing tasks ever imagined, making it worth every watt. However, with its significant power and cooling requirements, the H100 isn’t designed for personal workspaces. Running a GPU with this kind of power demand calls for an advanced infrastructure—one that can handle substantial energy loads, cooling, and resource allocation. Thus, to use such robust machines, organizations turn to GPU colocation—something TRG Data Centers excel at. In this article, we’ll break down the H100’s impressive power demands, why they matter, and how TRG’s data center solutions make it easy for you to tap into its full capabilities without overwhelming your budget. After all, the role and purpose of data center GPUs go far beyond personal computing; these powerful units are designed to accelerate complex workloads, from artificial intelligence to large-scale simulations. So, are you ready to learn about the H100 and its impact on high-performance computing? Let’s get started! Understanding the H100 Architecture: Why is it That Powerful? The NVIDIA H100 falls under the Hopper architecture, and it's supposed to be targeted at the most demanding AI workloads. Its fourth-generation Tensor cores and MIG capabilities allow the H100 to handle workloads like large language models, deep learning, and advanced analytics. This is a... --- ### H200 Power Consumption: Powering the Strongest GPU > Explore the H200 power consumption and discover what makes this powerful GPU ideal for high-performance computing. Learn how to manage its energy demands. - Published: 2024-11-07 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/h200-power-consumption/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA With the advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning, the demand for high-performance computing is escalating. And where there is demand, suppliers don’t take longer before coming up with a solution. NVIDIA offered a solution to such demands with its recent invention, H200. It is atypical to other GPUs. It has a power that we have never seen before. But there is a catch: the raging power that this GPU requires to run is not something individuals or scientists can handle in a non-dedicated or small workspace. Technically, handling such a monster would require compatible servers, robust cooling systems, high-efficient power supply, software and licensing, and much more. Accommodating all that, that’s thousands of dollars. Considering the electricity costs, this doesn’t sound like a very lucrative option. We have a solution for you! Using our affordable GPU colocation—a high-performance service, you can easily leverage the power of the most advanced GPUs (like H200) without having to worry about management costs. More on that later. H200 Power Consumption: Can You Handle It? Handling the power configuration for AI computing requires robust infrastructure to support the intense demands of GPUs like the H200. And this is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea. Widely known as one of the most powerful GPUs, it is optimized for core high performance and AI tasks. This HGX high-performance GPU is equipped with numerous memory tensor cores that allow it to perform super complex and computational-intensive tasks rapidly using parallel qualities. The power-hungry H200 is... --- ### GPU for Inference: How to Choose the Best One? > Discover how the right GPU for inference can transform your business. Explore our guide to choose the best NVIDIA inference solutions for your business - Published: 2024-11-04 - Modified: 2025-04-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-for-inference/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA What a crazy time to live, similar to humans, now machines can infer too. Thanks to the unprecedented growth in the artificial intelligence field that made “inference” possible. Nowadays, it's helping businesses make business decisions and efficiently perform tasks that require real-time responses. Basically, inference means making predictions after analyzing the given information. In machine learning models or deep learning models, it refers to the process of analyzing a dataset and predicting the outcome. Let's come back to this later. Inference can not occur without training the model, and training a model can be super computational and resource-intensive. Leaving businesses in a dilemma, either to choose performance or affordability. We have a solution for that! Leveraging our specialized Houston data center, you can easily utilize heavy machinery to train vast AI models while only paying for what you use. The price of a data center is divided across users, which makes data centers an affordable solution for businesses aiming to enhance their decision-making with the power of inference. This article will walk you through the depths of GPUs to learn their architecture, which will help you choose the best GPU for Inference. Lastly, we will learn how you can leverage TRG Data centers to use robust computers without breaking the bank. What is Inference? Before we begin understanding the Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), let's take a moment to understand “inference. ” Let's understand it with an example. You feed thousands of images of cats to model and provide that it... --- ### What is An Edge Data Center? > Discover what edge data centers are, how they work, and why they’re essential for faster, efficient data processing with TRG Datacenters. - Published: 2024-10-30 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-an-edge-data-center/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA As digital demands continue to evolve, the need for faster data processing and ultra-low latency has led to a significant transformation in network infrastructure.   With applications ranging from real-time gaming and video streaming to smart city technology and autonomous vehicles, modern industries require a more efficient way to handle massive data loads and provide immediate responsiveness.   This is where edge data centers come in; they deliver a powerful solution to these challenges by processing data closer to where it’s created and consumed. What is An Edge Data Center? An edge data center is a small facility located physically closer to the users it serves rather than traditional data centers. Due to space and cost constraints, traditional data centers are often situated far from population centers. Edge data centers reduce the distance data must travel, resulting in lower latency and faster response times for end-users. Think of an edge data center as a miniaturized, regional version of a traditional data center that can handle real-time data processing.   These centers enable computations to happen closer to where the data is generated and used, a process known as edge computing. This is essential for applications that require instantaneous data processing. How Does an Edge Data Center Work? While a traditional data center centralizes its computing power, an edge data center is decentralized and operates closer to the “edge” of the network, the physical location where data is generated.   Here’s a simplified breakdown of how edge data centers function: Data... --- ### What is a Virtual Data Center? > Discover what a virtual data center is and how it enhances scalability, flexibility, and disaster recovery for modern businesses. - Published: 2024-10-29 - Modified: 2024-11-08 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-virtual-data-center/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In the digital transformation era, businesses across industries embrace technology to operate more efficiently, reach broader audiences, and stay competitive. One pivotal technology enabling this shift is the concept of the virtual data center.   The term has grown in popularity alongside the rise of cloud computing, virtualization, and software-defined infrastructure, but what exactly is a virtual data center? How does it work, and why should businesses consider adopting one? In this guide, we will break down what a virtual data center is, how it works, its benefits, challenges, and the future outlook of this technology.   What is a Virtual Data Center? A virtual data center is a pool of digital resources designed to mimic the functionality of a physical data center but without the need for actual hardware in one place.   Using software to emulate physical data center components, such as storage, computing power, networking, and security, the virtual data center operates as an “as-a-service” solution hosted in a cloud environment. How Does a Virtual Data Center Work? A virtual data center is powered by virtualization software, typically provided by platforms like VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, or KVM.   This software allows physical servers to be divided into numerous VMs, which can be individually allocated for computing, storage, or networking purposes. Virtualization Technology Virtualization is the key to a VDC’s functionality. This technology abstracts and partitions the physical resources (such as CPU, memory, and storage) of a server, creating separate instances that can run different operating systems or... --- ### Best CPU for AI: Top Picks for 2025 > Explore the best CPU for AI applications, including deep learning and machine learning. Find the ideal AI CPU that fits your needs and make the best choice. - Published: 2024-10-23 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-cpu-for-ai/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The AI market is set to soar from an estimated $214 billion in 2024 to a massive $1,339 billion by 2030. That’s an incredible leap, and the opportunities are just beginning. With artificial intelligence trends escalating, businesses are working tirelessly to find a way to implement AI in their work processes.   Why? Because of the not-so-secret fact that artificial intelligence has been a significant blessing for businesses across various industries.   However, the type of hardware required to unleash the potential of AI varies significantly depending on the AI model and its complexity. For instance, you need a robust CPU that can efficiently handle high-computational tasks like machine learning and deep learning. Common CPUs that we usually use for our day-to-day use are not very famous for these complex tasks. Therefore, selecting the perfect CPU for AI is imperative.   There are several components that determine the quality of the CPU and, eventually, the work you are going to do with it.   A better CPU can accelerate your tasks with much greater efficiency, saving you tons of valuable resources in the long run. However, it must be noted that running heavy computational machines requires robust servers, and that is not a cost-effective solution for every business.   This is especially true for those who are just starting in AI-powered workplaces or are a little tight on budget. This guide will help you choose the best CPU for AI that your business needs and shed some light on the... --- ### NVIDIA GPUs H100 vs. A100 - Architecture, Performance, and Cost Comparison - Published: 2024-10-23 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/h100-vs-a100/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA NVIDIA GPUs H100 and A100 GPUs represent the cutting edge of AI acceleration. Initially designed for tasks like rendering images and videos, they have become indispensable for AI and ML due to their Tensor Cores that speed up matrix operations fundamental to neural networks. Both the H100 and A100 offer impressive improvements over non-GPU computing methods. However, the H100 is a significant upgrade on the A100, and has several new features. This article compares their performance, cost, and architectures, helping you determine which GPU best meets the needs of your AI workload. NVIDIA GPUs H100 vs. A100: Architectural differences Overview NVIDIA GPU architecture (overview) Any NVIDIA GPU contains several Graphics Processing Clusters (GPCs). Each GPC has a raster engine and several Texture Processing Clusters(TPCs). Each TPC contains multiple Streaming Multiprocessors(SMs) where the actual data computing occurs. The SMs contain CUDA cores, Tensor cores, and other key components. NVIDIA regularly releases new architectures (same basic design but technical specification differences). The A100 with NVIDIA Ampere architecture was launched in 2020, primarily focusing on ML workloads. In comparison, the H100, launched in 2022, was primarily designed for transformer-based neural networks. Its NVIDIA Hopper architecture was planned with large language models (LLMs) in mind. Each Ampere GPU contains 7 GPCs, 28 TPCs, and 108 SMs. Every Hopper GPU contains 8 GPCs, 32 TPCs, and 80 SMs. These numbers reflect the design choices made by NVIDIA to optimize performance and efficiency in each architecture, Next, look at more design differences between Ampere (A100) and... --- ### Choosing the Ideal Deep Learning GPU for AI > Discover the best deep learning GPU for AI projects. Explore key requirements, top picks, performance tips, and affordable solutions in this guide - Published: 2024-10-18 - Modified: 2025-04-20 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/deep-learning-gpu-for-ai/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA Deep learning is a term deeply embedded in the modern, technologically advanced world, thanks to the prowess of AI. With groundbreaking innovations on the daily, companies are using AI to improve efficiency and analysis daily. In fact, a recent research performed by Exploding Topics shows that 83% companies have the use of AI as an utmost priority in their planning and strategic decision-making.   It goes without saying that you don’t want to be a part of the other 17%. As of now, it’s essential to include AI for strategic purposes in your business. And if you are ready to revolutionize your business with artificial intelligence, let’s take a moment to take a look at the prerequisites.   For deep learning, artificial intelligence, or machine learning, the first thing you need is a robust machine—or, more accurately, a powerful GPU. Deep learning requires intense computational requirements, and your choice of GPU is going to impact how your business is going to react to this massive change. With so many choices out there, choosing the best GPU for AI is demanding. There are numerous things that differentiate between a GPU that is good for AI and a one that is not.   For instance, factors like RAM, cores, and tensor cores all play a crucial role. But even if you manage to pick the top-performing GPU, is it really the most cost-effective option for your business? There are countless more questions to consider, and we’re here to help. In this guide,... --- ### A Comprehensive Guide to Colocation Hardware | From AI to Z > Discover the essential guide to colocation hardware selection. Learn how to future-proof your IT infrastructure with insights on servers, storage, AI/GPU integration, and hypervisors from top brands like Dell, HPE, and more. Download the whitepaper now! - Published: 2024-10-08 - Modified: 2024-10-08 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/a-comprehensive-guide-to-colocation-hardware/ As your business prepares to navigate the complexities of colocation, selecting the right hardware is critical. This comprehensive whitepaper, From AI to Z, provides IT decision-makers, CTOs, and infrastructure managers with the roadmap to making informed choices that will future-proof their operations. What You’ll Gain: Expert Framework for Hardware SelectionGet actionable insights on building a resilient, high-performance infrastructure. Learn how to evaluate servers, storage, and networking equipment for optimal durability, performance, and scalability. In-depth Reviews of Leading BrandsDive deep into the pros and cons of servers from Dell, HPE, IBM, Cisco, and Supermicro. Leverage industry expertise to make the right choice for your organization’s needs. Hypervisor Selection Made SimpleUncover expert analysis of VMware, Microsoft Hyper-V, Citrix, and Proxmox. Understand what sets them apart, and how to align your hypervisor strategy with your colocation plans. Tailored Solutions for AI and Machine LearningDiscover how cutting-edge AI/GPU integrations can supercharge your infrastructure and prepare you for the next wave of IT evolution. Why This Whitepaper Matters: Transitioning to colocation is a strategic decision that reshapes how your organization handles IT infrastructure. But with this shift comes critical hardware decisions that can make or break your operational success. Our whitepaper takes the guesswork out of hardware selection, equipping you with the tools and insights to build an infrastructure that's not only fit for today but primed for the future. What’s Inside: Key Considerations for Colocation Hardware: Durability, compatibility, and performance metrics. Scalability & Future-Proofing: How to ensure your hardware can evolve with your business.... --- ### What is Network as a Service (NaaS) and How It’s Changing Networking > Discover what Network as a Service (NaaS) is and how it simplifies networking. Learn about benefits, use cases and related technologies like SASE/SD-WAN - Published: 2024-10-04 - Modified: 2025-05-21 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-network-as-a-service-naas/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In the age of digital acceleration and on-demand applications, organizations are looking for ways to simplify their IT infrastructure, reduce costs and scale globally. Networking, which was once seen as a complex and costly part of the equation, has evolved with the rise of Network as a Service (NaaS). In this article, we’ll define what Network as a Service is and how NaaS differs from other “as a Service” cloud services like SaaS. We’ll look at how it works, and its advantages and disadvantages. We’ll also explore the impact of NaaS in cloud computing and discuss related technologies like SASE, SD-WAN, and NFV. What is Network as a Service? What is NaaS? Network as a Service (NaaS) is a cloud-based model that allows organizations to lease networking services from a provider rather than build and maintain their own. Seems straightforward enough, right? With NaaS, organizations and IT departments can offload time consuming tasks like managing routers, switches, firewalls, and other network infrastructure. How? It’s done through a user-friendly interface or application programming interface (API), giving organizations more flexibility without the hassle of managing the physical hardware. How Does NaaS Work? How does it work exactly? NaaS works by virtualizing network services and delivering them over the internet. Network providers manage the entire network infrastructure, including hardware, software, and security. Organizations can select services such as virtual routers, firewalls, and multi-cloud connectivity based on their needs, and only pay for what they use. This pay-as-you-go model eliminates the need for upfront... --- ### Building a Business Case for Colocation in Your 2025 IT Budget > Learn how colocation services can optimize costs, enhance disaster recovery, support AI/ML workloads, and solve latency challenges in your 2025 IT budget - Published: 2024-10-03 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/business-case-for-colocation-it-budget/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA As we enter 2025, the IT landscape is undergoing transformative shifts that are redefining how organizations run and manage their infrastructure. The acceleration of AI/ML workloads, the imperative for robust disaster recovery and business continuity, addressing skyrocketing cloud costs, and the ongoing trend of cloud repatriation are compelling organizations to rethink their strategies. For CIOs, CTOs, IT Directors, and other technology leaders, integrating colocation services into the upcoming 2025 IT budget isn't just a strategic option—it's becoming a business imperative. In this article, we'll explore the critical business cases for colocation services: Solving Network Latency Challenges Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Cloud Cost Optimization and Hybrid IT Infrastructure Moving from Enterprise Data Centers to Colocation Solving Network Latency Challenges Solving Network Latency Challenges In a hyper-connected world, latency isn’t just a technical metric—it’s a critical factor that impacts user experience and business outcomes. Applications like real-time analytics, high-frequency trading, and interactive streaming services demand minimal latency. Latency, measured in milliseconds (ms) indicates the quality of your network connection and travel distance. An average network will have latency of 200 ms or below, packet loss below 5% within 10-minute timeframe, a jitter percentage below 15%, and mean opinion score of 2. 5 or higher. Again, this is the benchmark for an average network. There’s low latency which can be in the sub 15 ms range and ultra-low latency which is measured in nanoseconds versus milliseconds. Low latency and ultra-low latency networks are hard to come by in office buildings but are... --- ### Software-Defined Data Center Explained > Learn how software-defined data centers (SDDC) transform IT infrastructure for efficiency and scalability at TRG Datacenters. - Published: 2024-10-01 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/software-defined-data-centers-explained/ Today businesses are constantly searching for ways to stay competitive, agile, and scalable. As companies rely more heavily on data, cloud computing, and virtualization, traditional data center infrastructures are struggling to keep up with the demands of the modern enterprise. Enter the software-defined data center (SDDC), an advanced architectural model transforming how businesses manage and optimize their IT infrastructure. We understand the critical role that data centers play in your business's success. Whether you're managing sensitive data or scaling your operations globally, adopting innovative data center solutions can offer significant advantages. One such advancement is the software-defined data center (SDDC), which enables businesses to drive operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve scalability. What is a Software-Defined Data Center? A software-defined data center (SDDC) is an IT architecture in which all elements of a data center’s infrastructure, networking, storage, computing, and security are virtualized and delivered as a service. Software fully automates management and control of the hardware infrastructure, allowing for dynamic and flexible resource provisioning. Unlike traditional data centers that rely heavily on hardware and manual processes, SDDCs offer an unprecedented level of automation, agility, and scalability. By abstracting the physical infrastructure and automating management through software, businesses can streamline their operations, respond faster to demands, and reduce operational expenses. Critical Components of an SDDC An SDDC consists of four main components: software-defined computing, software-defined storage, software-defined networking, and an integrated management layer. Software-Defined Compute Software-defined computing refers to the virtualization of computing resources. In an SDDC, physical servers are... --- ### Choosing the Best GPU for AI: Balancing Performance and Budget > Find out how to select the best GPU for AI, with tips on evaluating performance, energy efficiency, and features for AI image generation and deep learning workloads. - Published: 2024-09-30 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-gpu-for-ai/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA A comprehensive look at performance, energy efficiency, and top GPUs for AI image generation and deep learning. As technology continues to advance, having efficient and powerful hardware is more important than ever, especially for artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning. At the heart of these advancements are GPU data centers, which have become crucial for handling AI workloads.   However, with so many options available—each with different features, specifications, and price points—choosing the right GPU for AI can be challenging.   This article will guide you through everything you need to consider, helping you select the best GPU for AI that aligns with your specific requirements. How to Pick a GPU for AI? The best GPU for AI depends on your specific use case, budget, and scalability needs. Whether you're running intensive deep learning models or simple AI inference tasks, choosing the right GPU can dramatically impact your system's efficiency. 1. Understand the Nature of Your AI Workloads The first step is identifying what kind of AI tasks you'll be running. Whether it's deep learning, neural network training, or AI image generation, different GPUs are optimized for various workloads. Training vs. Inference: If your work involves training large models, you'll want a GPU with high memory capacity and tensor cores for faster computation. For inference, power efficiency and speed will be more critical. 2. Evaluate GPU Performance Performance is key when selecting the best GPU for AI. Consider the following metrics: Cores and Tensor Cores: Look for GPUs with more... --- ### GPU vs CPU for AI: Which Is Best for Your Business? > Discover how GPUs and CPUs for AI can enhance your business. Learn effective strategies to unlock their potential and strengthen your AI infrastructure - Published: 2024-09-30 - Modified: 2025-04-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/gpu-vs-cpu-for-ai/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA What a time to be a business owner, with AI doing wonders for businesses left, right, and center! It’s 2024, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on businesses is no longer a secret. Yet, some organizations are still relying on manual processes to perform daily, repetitive tasks—tasks that could be streamlined and automated through AI. So, why haven’t they made the leap? The primary challenge lies in the infrastructure—implementing AI requires robust servers and high-performance processors, whether it’s CPUs or GPUs.   This article aims to shed light on the GPU vs CPU dilemma for AI and the critical role data centers play in managing resource-intensive AI workloads. Furthermore, you will learn how to implement AI in your business cost-effectively using our GPU colocation services.   What are CPUs and GPUs? Before we take a deep dive into the nitty gritty of GPU vs CPU for AI, we need to properly understand what each of these represents.   CPUs The Central Processing Unit (CPU), one of the essential processing units in modern computing, is often recognized as the brain of computers and is typically a tiny chip integrated into the computer’s motherboard. These chips process the basic instructions of a computer. In other words, it decides to execute the task or not based on the computer’s hardware and software instructions.   CPUs manage multiple useful tasks such as controlling the workload in the system and performing mathematical calculations that help the processor work seamlessly. Nowadays, CPUs are multicore.... --- ### Training GenAI Models from Scratch: Challenges and Best Practices > Explore the critical stages of training a Generative AI model from scratch—from data preparation to alignment—and learn strategies to overcome key challenges. - Published: 2024-09-30 - Modified: 2024-10-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/training-genai-models-from-scratch-challenges-and-best-practices/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA Training a Generative AI (GenAI) model from scratch is a monumental task that requires meticulous planning, extensive resources, and a deep understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of machine learning. In today's evolving AI landscape, research teams and startups embarking on this journey face a significantly more complex process compared to traditional AI development of the past. This comprehensive article covers the critical stages of training a GenAI model from scratch—data preparation, experimentation, pre-training, and alignment—and highlights the challenges and solutions associated with each phase. Data Preparation for GenAI Models: Laying the Foundation The Importance of Data Preparation in GenAI Training The quality of your dataset is the cornerstone of a successful GenAI model. Especially when creating a Large Language Model (LLM), data preparation involves aggregating vast amounts of unstructured data from the internet and converting it into a structured format that the model can understand—tokens. Tokens are essentially the language that LLMs speak, both during training and in production. Challenges in Data Preparation Scale of Data For LLMs, datasets can reach hundreds of terabytes. Multimodal models, which process images and videos, may require petabytes or even tens of petabytes of data. Processing Complexity Filtering, deduplicating, and structuring such massive datasets demand substantial computational resources, including numerous CPU cores and GPUs. Growing Dataset Sizes The size of datasets required is rapidly increasing. For instance, open-source models that once trained on a few billion tokens now require trillions. Strategies to Overcome Data Preparation Challenges Implement Data Lineage Techniques Implementing... --- ### Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning and Foundational Models Explained > Discover key differences between machine learning, deep learning, and foundation models, and see how these essential AI concepts work together to shape modern technology. - Published: 2024-09-30 - Modified: 2024-10-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/machine-learning-vs-deep-learning/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA Trying to keep up with AI buzzwords like machine learning, deep learning, foundation models, generative AI, and large language models (LLMs)? You’re not alone. In the fast-paced world of artificial intelligence, it’s easy to get tangled up in all the jargon. Whether you’re in IT or just passionate about artificial intelligence, understanding how these terms fit together can be incredibly useful—but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s cut through the noise on AI and models. We’ll break down each concept in a clear, conversational way. By the end, you’ll not only understand what these terms mean but also see how they all connect within the broader world of AI and real world applications. What Is Artificial Intelligence? Let's start with the basics. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all about machines thinking and acting like humans—or at least simulating human intelligence. In other words, it means enabling computers to perform tasks that would typically require human brainpower, such as understanding a language, recognizing patterns, making decisions, and solving problems. AI isn't a newcomer to the technology scene; it's been around for decades. ELIZA was a chatbot from the 1960s. It could hold a conversation that mimicked human interaction, albeit in a limited way. That was one of the early steps toward machines that could "think" on their own. Don’t worry, we’ll cover artificial general intelligence (AGI) in a future blog post. Machine Learning: Backbone of Modern AI What is machine learning? Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI and is... --- ### Best Practices for Data Center Storage Management > Discover the best practices for data center storage management to optimize performance, ensure reliability, and control costs effectively. - Published: 2024-09-03 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practices-for-data-center-storage-management/ Today, data centers are the heartbeat of almost every organization. They hold the data that powers everything from basic operations to complex decision-making processes. But, as the volume of data continues to grow exponentially, managing data center storage effectively has become more challenging and more critical than ever. Proper storage management is more than keeping data safe; it’s about ensuring your entire IT infrastructure runs smoothly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. In this post, we’ll explore some of the best practices for data center storage management that can help you optimize your storage systems and keep your organization running at peak performance. What is Data Center Storage? Data center storage refers to the hardware and software technologies used to store, manage, and access digital data within a data center. This storage infrastructure is essential for holding the vast amounts of data that organizations generate and use daily. It includes a variety of storage devices, systems, and management software that work together to ensure that data is securely stored, easily accessible, and efficiently managed. Key Components of Data Center Storage Let’s look at the key components of data center storage. Storage Hardware Storage hardware includes physical devices such as hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), and storage arrays, where data is physically stored. Storage hardware can vary widely in terms of capacity, speed, and cost, and it’s often deployed in configurations that balance these factors based on the specific needs of the organization. Storage Software Storage software encompasses the software solutions that... --- ### Data Center Power Consumption Predicted to Double by 2030 - Published: 2024-08-29 - Modified: 2024-08-29 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-power-consumption-predicted-to-double-by-2030/ Data center power consumption is rising rapidly, and attention is starting to turn to what looks set to become a transformative trend in the near future.   Until relatively recently, the power consumption of data centers had remained relatively stable, despite an ever growing workload. But now, with the advent of AI and an influx of increasingly power hungry applications, consumption has started to skyrocket.   This is a trend that’s still in its infancy, don’t forget. Yet according to Newmark’s 2023 U. S. Data Center Market Overview Report, on a macro scale, data center demand in the US is expected to reach 35GW by 2030. That’s over twice the 15GW of demand in 2022.   Some studies have predicted rises even higher than that. Goldman Sachs Research recently published a new analysis, in which it calculated that the power consumption of data centers will grow 160% by 2030.   Current data center power consumption Data centers already consume a considerable amount of power. In fact, the 7. 4 gigawatts of power consumed by data centers in 2023 was equivalent to between 1-2% of the world’s overall power.   Analysts from Goldman Sachs Research analysts released a series of reports examining how electricity demand has spiked in recent years. The studies showed that between 2015 and 2019, the workload of data centers almost tripled. Despite this, their demand on power did not increase significantly, remaining in the region of 200 terawatt-hours per year.   The previous stability of power consumption... --- ### What is Data Center Networking? - Published: 2024-08-29 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-networking/ Data center networking involves the combination of a number of different resources, such as switching, routing, load balancing and analytics. By combining resources like these, networking enables the processing of data and applications.   In today’s vast, powerful data centers, networking and security virtualization platforms connect a whole host of different applications, as well as containers and VMs. These connections help to support data services, and allow for other processes that help the data center run smoothly, such as management controls and security checks.   Data center networking has changed dramatically in recent years, and new developments in technology are continuing to transform the way that data center networking works - and its capabilities. In just a few years we’ve gone from data centers revolving around physical servers, to integrated models that combine cloud services and really transform what’s possible.   Data center networking explained The key to the success of data center networking lies in the automation of processes that were once done manually.   Data center networking platforms run services through software. As a result, tasks that had been done manually (and had been vulnerable to human error as a result) can be done far more quickly, and far more accurately.   Digital connections are made between different devices in a data center, to provide another layer of protection to the infrastructure, while also improving its efficiency.   We’re increasingly reliant on technology now, and our demands are only expected to grow in the coming months and years.... --- ### What is Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)?  > Learn how data center infrastructure management can help you make your facility more efficient and secure. - Published: 2024-08-28 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-infrastructure-management/ Today, your business ingests more digital information than ever. To keep pace with the increase in both the scope and volume of that data, you must adopt modern facility management strategies.   Enter data center infrastructure management (DCIM), a framework that provides the tools and insights necessary to monitor, optimize, and better control the operations of your data center. What is Data Center Infrastructure Management? Data center infrastructure management refers to a comprehensive suite of tools and practices designed to help you oversee and optimize the physical infrastructure of your data center. They can effectively provide a holistic view of all of your business’s data center operations.   DCIM systems themselves act as centralized platforms that integrate with other IT and facility management systems. They encompass everything from optimizing the design of your data center to monitoring its environmental conditions and helping you better understand the state and efficiency of key cooling and power infrastructure. If you know the condition of your equipment and assets, it will be easier to maintain them and extend their lifecycles. At the same time, you can also reduce the risk of unplanned downtime and keep your facility operational.   Furthermore, while DCIM primarily deals with physical equipment and infrastructure, it indirectly benefits your software and the center’s overall capacity. How Does Data Center Infrastructure Management Work? Data center infrastructure management uses integrated tools and software to collect and visualize data from various physical assets.   The scope and size of your specific DCIM system will vary... --- ### Top Restaurants, Hotels and Business Centers Near our Houston Data Center - Published: 2024-08-12 - Modified: 2025-04-22 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/top-restaurants-hotels-and-business-centers-near-our-houston-data-center/ Our Houston data center is conveniently located near both the I-45 and the I-99. It's been strategically located here to ensure it’s completely disaster-proof, and building it 3ft above ground level means it will remain accessible in case of flooding too. But our location is also great in terms of local amenities, and that makes all the difference when teams come to visit.   We’re just a short drive from the Woodlands, which took the top spot on Niche’s “2022 Best Cities to Live in America. ” There are some fantastic restaurants within minutes of the data center, and several great hotels nearby. Here are a few of our top picks from the local area to give you a taste of what to expect when you come and see us.   Unmissable restaurants near us Our Houston data center is just a five minute drive from the Market at Springwoods Village, where you’ll find restaurants inspired by cuisines from all over the world. We also have some world-class Texas barbecues within easy reach of the data center. Here are a few of our team’s favorites.   Wunsche Bros. Cafe & Saloon This is a Texas classic. The prohibition-inspired saloon bar serves all American fare and always delivers on true southern hospitality. The chicken fried steak is a must try, as is the house-smoked pulled pork.   CorkScrew BBQ No trip to Texas would be complete without a visit to one of the state’s top BBQ spots. CorkScrew BBQ is our... --- ### What is Data Center Architecture? > Data center architecture refers to the physical and logical layout of a data center, encompassing its hardware, software, and network resources. - Published: 2024-08-02 - Modified: 2025-02-26 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-architecture/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Data centers are the backbone of modern digital infrastructure, providing a level of efficiency that was once unthought of. However, the capability these hubs of data storage and processing offer hinges on the quality of their layouts and overall sense of flow. Understanding the intricacies of data center architecture will help you design functional storage systems that support your business needs now and in the future. Below, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the concept. What is Data Center Architecture? Data center architecture refers to the physical layout of a data center. It encompasses the hardware, software, network resources, and services required to support a company’s computing needs. It also ensures that a data center can efficiently and securely manage, store, and disseminate vast amounts of data. The best data center architecture will simplify all aspects of data center management, from ensuring you’ve got a stable backup power source to monitoring the cooling of servers and maintaining adequate network security. Composition of Data Center Architecture Your data center will consist of several layers, including the following: Network Architecture: Networking hardware and software for seamless access Security Architecture: Measures like firewalls, encryption, and physical barriers to protect your data Computing Resources: Servers and virtualization technologies Storage Systems: Direct-attached, network-attached, or storage area networks Facilities and Support Infrastructure: Cooling systems and monitoring equipment Together, these components create a resilient, scalable, and secure environment capable of meeting your organization’s data management needs. But two are arguably the most important: network and... --- ### Unlocking Savings: Why Buying NVIDIA H100 GPUs Beat AWS Rental Costs - Published: 2024-07-29 - Modified: 2024-10-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/unlocking-savings-why-nvidia-h100-gpus-beat-aws-rental-costs/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The speed at which AI, machine learning and high-performance computing are advancing is leading to difficult decisions for businesses in a huge range of different industries. Some of the key things that companies are having to consider in light of these developments, are the benefits of cloud versus on-premises solutions. Those using NVIDIA H100 GPUs often find themselves faced with a dilemma. Because choosing to rent from AWS or investing in colocation can have a significant impact on a company’s bottom line. But how can companies make savings here, without impacting performance? In this article, we’ll discuss the cost implications and breakeven point of decisions like these, and we’ll talk about one solution that’s rapidly growing in popularity: the hybrid IT approach. The Cost of Renting NVIDIA H100 GPUs on AWS First things first, let’s tackle the math. If a company opts to rent NVIDIA H100 GPUs on AWS, we can calculate the cost at approximately $48,741. 60 per year. AWS offers the powerful EC2 p5. 48xlarge instances, equipped with 8 NVIDIA H100 GPUs, at approximately $44. 50 per hour (NVIDIA Blog) (Amazon Web Services, Inc. ) . We can break this cost down to around $5. 56 per hour for a single H100 GPU. So, for continuous, round-the-clock usage, the annual rental cost per H100 GPU would be $5. 56 per hour × 24 hours/day × 365 days/year, which brings us to our figure of $48,741. 60 per year. The Cost of Purchasing NVIDIA H100 GPUs If a company... --- ### What We Owe The Future of Houston - Published: 2024-07-20 - Modified: 2024-08-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-we-owe-the-future-of-houston/ An open letter to the city of Houston from our CEO, Chris Hinkle A Personal Note Hurricane Beryl has tremendously impacted all our lives. I waited a week to write this to allow my baser and reactionary instincts of anger to subside. It is important to allow for the delicate balance of enough time to pass so to approach these things with a clear presence of mind, but also a short enough time such that I retain a strong and visceral memory of the events that transpired. I do not consider my thoughts entirely original; I am an aggregator of many ideas and books, and a survivor of the repeated disasters that have befallen our City so the aggregation is logic originated by many others, and my own small contributions of perspective and experience, towards the applied topic of Houston. I hope to do good here, and if I fail in any of my arguments or do not properly articulate something, my wish is that this will at least be a contribution towards a larger discourse of people that can help enact positive change. Why Now Paraphrasing the following passages, and the structure of much of my argument from William Macaskill’s wonderful book, aptly named “What We Owe The Future”: Periods of plasticity are times where ideas or events or institutions can take one of many forms, followed by a period of rigidity or ossification. The dynamic is like glassblowing: in one period the glass is still molten and malleable;... --- ### Why did the internet and cell phones go out in Houston during Hurricane Beryl? - Published: 2024-07-18 - Modified: 2024-07-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-did-the-internet-and-cell-phones-go-out-in-houston-during-hurricane-beryl/ TLDR: Just about everything that could go wrong, did go wrong Hurricane Beryl Lead Up – Wind Event Conversation It is no secret that Hurricane Beryl caused quite a bit of disruption to the Houston market recently. The power was out in many areas, but an interesting collateral damage: The internet. We received a lot of questions from citizens around Houston: Why did the internet (and cell towers) go out? An important note to the readers: As the hurricane approached the coast, we were lucky that the pervasive dry air delayed intensification. This could have easily turned into a much stronger storm. Initial Damage Hurricane Beryl beared down on Houston, releasing the equivalent amount of heat of a 10 megaton nuclear weapon every 20 minutes, for hours. This caused widespread damage to utility poles, transmission lines, and some sub-stations causing widespread power outages. There was also limited structural building damage to some buildings, however the star of the show here was the power lines. An interesting fact that most don’t realize about Houston – a large amount of fiber internet connections are buried, but an equally large portion are run along the power lines aerially. As these poles were ripped and shredded and damaged due to downed trees, snapped poles, etc. there was pervasive damage to important fiber arteries that transmit data around the city due to these fiber cuts. Facilities Damage and Power Outages Network carriers have distributed networks throughout the city with “nodes” and “gateways”. Some of these... --- ### Google Search Data Reveals USA Most Interested in AI Relationships - Published: 2024-07-15 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/google-search-data-reveals-usa-most-interested-in-ai-relationships/ It’s been described as “Her” in real life. The Spike Jonze-directed science fiction film follows the lead character as he embarks on a relationship with an operating system. Now, 11 years after the film’s release, that very reality is here. AI relationship chatbots have swept into the world’s eye at great speed, offering as little as some off-the-cuff dating advice, all the way up to a full emulation of a relationship with your perfect partner. The introduction of AI relationship chatbots has divided the mediasphere, with some stating it saved them from a dysfunctional relationship, while others have critiqued the services for it’s often inaccurate or non-relevant responses. Like them or not, AI relationship chatbots are here for the long run. So, with that in mind, we decided to investigate which search terms regarding AI relationships people query the most. We also ranked the same data by nation, and below are the results: Top 5 AI Relationship Search Terms Below are the search terms relevant to AI relationship chatbots, ranked by quantity. Search termYearly search results#1AI Girlfriend1,632,000#2AI Boyfriend180,000#3AI Girlfriends31,200#4AI Dating30,000#5Romance AI20,400#6AI Love16,800=#7AI Relationship4,200=#7Flirt with AI4,200#9AI Boyfriends3,600 By far, the leading search phrase is ‘AI Girlfriend’. Per year, there are over 1. 6 million English-language searches seeking AI chatbot girlfriends, a huge quantity. Fascinatingly, Google search results data shows that there were only 100 searches per month for ‘AI girlfriend’ in 2021, highlighting the phrase’s meteoric rise to fame in the zeitgeist. In second place is the search term “AI Boyfriend”.... --- ### Data Center Migration: A Complete Guide > Learn what data center migration is, how to expertly plan, and the best practices to ensure a seamless migration process. - Published: 2024-07-02 - Modified: 2025-02-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-migration/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Today, the performance, reliability, and scalability of IT infrastructure are critical to business success. Migrating to a new data center can be a strategic move for cost savings, increased efficiency, or improved service delivery. However, data center migration is a complex and challenging process that requires careful planning and execution. This guide will provide an in-depth understanding of data center migration, covering everything from initial considerations to post-migration best practices. What is Data Center Migration? Data center migration involves moving IT assets, applications, and operations from one data center environment to another. This process can include physical hardware, virtual environments, network infrastructure, and all associated data. Migrations can take various forms, including: Physical migration entails moving physical hardware from one location to another Virtual migration involves transferring virtual machines and associated data between different environments, such as from an on-premises data center to a cloud service. Hybrid migration combines elements of both physical and virtual migrations, often involving a mix of on-premises and cloud resources. Businesses may undertake data center migration for several reasons. Cost reduction is a primary motivator, as migrating to a more cost-effective environment can significantly reduce operational expenses. Another factor is scalability, with newer data centers or cloud environments often providing better scalability to support business growth. Performance improvement is also crucial, as upgraded infrastructure can enhance performance, reduce latency, and improve overall user experience. Moreover, modern data centers that offer advanced security features and adhere to industry regulations enhance compliance and security. Lastly, a robust... --- ### What is Dark Fiber? - Published: 2024-06-24 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-dark-fiber/ If you’re looking to future-proof your connectivity, dark fiber could be just the thing you need. These fiber optic cables can be used to create networks, providing an unparalleled level of control for businesses as demand grows. Dark fiber cables are unused cables laid underground. Thousands of miles of these unused cables are laid under the ground all over the US. They’re known as dark fiber simply because they don’t currently have any light pulses running through them. As these cables aren’t being used for existing services, and they have no traffic on them, they can be taken advantage of. Dark Fiber Explained Unused fiber optic cables can now be hired out from network or service providers. It is a practice that’s rapidly growing in popularity, as increasing numbers of businesses begin to recognise the potential of using unused cables in this way. There are many miles of cables laying unused underground, simply because companies tend to overestimate the amount of supplies and cables needed to complete initial projects. This overestimation is of course deliberate, as companies are looking to avoid an overgrowth of data in the future. Recent advances in technology have made it possible for dark fiber cables to be put to use, with optical fiber networks making use of this additional cabling. As a result, these cables, which had previously been surplus to requirements, can perform a new and hugely valuable function. The Benefits of Using Dark Fiber Dark fiber gives a great level of control over... --- ### What is a Cross Connect? - Published: 2024-06-24 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-cross-connect/ When it comes to choosing a data center, it’s vital that you opt for one with the best connectivity options for your needs. Connectivity is at the very heart of what a data center does, and the way in which that connectivity is managed has a huge bearing over the capabilities of the data center in question.   One of the most important network connectivity types is of course the cross connect. Essential to the day to day running of data centers all over the world, cross connects can reduce latency and improve reliability. In this article, we’ll give you an overview of cross connects, explaining what they are, how they work and why they’re so important in today’s data centers.   What does a cross connect do? A cross connect is a type of hardware used to connect different units in a data center. The term can refer to cables, cords and jumpers. When we talk about cross connect, what we really mean is the direct link between two hardware assets - a point-to-point connection.   When a cross connect is used, a direct link is created between hardware units. The owners of these units can therefore create private network links, with no internet connection required.   Cross connects can be used in a number of different ways, for a variety of purposes. For example, companies that rely on speed to excel in their business often use hundreds of cross connections between their servers, to ensure that their systems... --- ### The Ultimate Guide to Data Center Certification Standards > Download Now – The Ultimate Guide to Data Center Certification PDF – All major IT compliance and certification standards and definitions for data centers and the cloud - Published: 2024-06-10 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-certification-guide/ Data center certification and compliance standards are defined to reduce customer risk and set a baseline for data center and cloud operations. Standards help ensure that data, intellectual property, and people are protected from varying types of harm and that providers and their customers can be held accountable for non-compliance. While sometimes perceived as a burden, standards help advance operational excellence by requiring data center providers to enhance their capabilities to meet their customers’ needs as relevant industry technologies evolve. We have developed this guide to quickly reference the compliance and certification standards that apply to your industry. We provide links to the source for each compliance summary so you can easily find more information on each standard, better understand how it applies to your enterprise, and determine if your data center provider also needs to be capable of addressing it. Examples of Common Data Center & Cloud Compliance Standards: HIPAA / HITRUST PCI / PCI-DSS FISC ISO 9001: 2015 ISO 27001 SOC 1 Type II SOC 2 Type II SSAE 16 Uptime Institute Tier I, II, III, IV BICSI CSA / CSA STAR DIACAP FedRAMP ENERGY STAR EU-US Privacy Shield ISAE 3402 ITIL LEED Certification NIST 800-53 / FISMA TIA 942 --- ### What Are Data Center Operations? > Data center operations include a wide range of activities and processes involved in managing and maintaining continuity within such facilities. - Published: 2024-05-29 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-are-data-center-operations/ Data centers are the backbone of the digital age, providing critical infrastructure for everything from online shopping and social media to financial transactions and cloud computing.   With that in mind, maintaining a solid understanding of data center operations is crucial for businesses and IT professionals aiming to ensure their services' smooth and efficient delivery to customers.   By familiarizing yourself with the critical aspects of data center operations, you’ll be able to more effectively manage your data center and promote operational continuity. Data Center Operations: What Are They? Data centers are critical to modern society, as they provide platforms for each of the following: Data Storage: Holding data securely in physical or virtual environments Data Processing: Processing information using servers and software applications Networking: Managing traffic between systems within the facility and external sources Cooling and Power: Ensuring adequate energy and cooling functionality to maintain optimal operating conditions for the equipment Data center operations, by extension, encompass the array of critical activities and processes involved in managing and maintaining these establishments. These operations ensure the reliability, efficiency, and security of the infrastructure that hosts and processes vast amounts of data.   From hardware maintenance and network management to data security and disaster recovery, data center operations are essential for the continuous functioning of cloud-based software and systems.   They also include physical tasks, such as ensuring power stability to your facilities, maintaining the infrastructure to prevent unplanned downtime, and investing in support equipment such as cooling systems. How Data... --- ### What is Driving Data Center Sustainability Today? > Familiarizing yourself with the trends that drive data center sustainability will help you create a future-focused facility and preserve continuity. - Published: 2024-04-29 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-driving-data-center-sustainability-today/ Organizations across virtually every industry, from energy to healthcare, are doubling down on their efforts to decrease their environmental impacts and make their daily operations cleaner, greener, and less harmful to the planet. The trend has worked its way to data centers as well, but the question is, how can you achieve data center sustainability improvements? Join us below as we explore the answer. We’ll discuss the key factors to creating a sustainable data center, reducing your environmental footprint, and aligning your management strategies with the demands of the current climate. Best Practices for Sustainability in Data Centers As businesses like yours strive to create more sustainable data centers, it’s important to prioritize these factors: Energy Consumption Naturally, most conversations regarding data center sustainability begin with a focus on power usage effectiveness. After all, the average facility uses a tremendous amount of power to run cooling equipment, water pumps, key systems, and other infrastructure. That means decreasing energy consumption, maximizing cooling efficiency, and proactively eliminating waste will all have a tremendous impact on data center sustainability. As part of the process, you should explore ways to invest in energy-efficient technologies, such as virtualization tools and advanced cooling systems. Wherever possible, integrate renewable energy sources like solar and wind power into your infrastructure, as doing so can reduce your reliance on the primary grid. Emissions The carbon footprint of data centers is another major concern. As these facilitates consume large amounts of energy, they also emit greenhouse gasses, contributing to climate... --- ### What is Data Center Redundancy? > Data center redundancy is achieved by duplicating components and providing backup options in the event of power interruptions, equipment failures, or breakages. - Published: 2024-04-11 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-redundancy-explained/ Data center redundancy looks at two key concepts. The first being capacity components, and the second distribution paths. People commonly make the mistake of thinking about just one of these, but they are far from the same.   A distribution path is a non-active component, rather than a capacity component. It’s distributing a type of load whether it be cooling, whether it be moving fuel from one point to another, or moving power to a server.   Capacity components, on the other hand, are active components that are creating something. The diesel for a generator would be considered a capacity component, for example, because without that you would not be able to create power for the generator. Likewise, the generator is a capacity component. The air conditioning unit too is a capacity component, as it is creating the cooling. Even a UPS system is a capacity component.   The term data center redundancy refers to a system that is designed in such a way that downtime doesn’t necessarily result from unexpected events. These systems are built to withstand problems without interrupting performance, with the aim of eliminating downtime and keeping companies online at all times.   The best redundancy plans do this very effectively, despite circumstances that would prove catastrophic for ill-prepared systems.   Why does data center redundancy matter? Users are increasingly intolerant of downtime. Today’s businesses rely hugely on digital systems, for a wide range of different tasks and processes. So when downtime happens, it can significantly hamper... --- ### Cloud vs Colocation > What's right for you? Find out the differences, advantages & disadvantages between cloud vs colocation and find out here. - Published: 2024-03-21 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cloud-vs-colocation/ Terms like cloud and colocation might sound similar, but their meaning is quite different. Colocation facilities will rent physical space to businesses and organizations to house their own servers. The cloud, on the other hand, provides a 'pay as you use' model to computing requirements and servers. Businesses don't pay for a physical space, but rather a set of services, technologies and tools accessed online. In this article, we’ll explore cloud and colocation in more detail, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each option, so you can make the best decision for your business. What is colocation? Colocation refers to a type of data center in which power, space, and bandwidth are available for customers to rent. Organizations will often choose to place their servers and hardware in such data centers, and there are a number of benefits of doing so. Businesses opting to house their equipment in physical data centers typically gain access to far better connectivit, reliability and security than they might otherwise have been able to provide in-house. Operational costs are shared between companies using the data center, meaning that tenants share the cost of power, cooling, bandwidth and security measures. Colocation also gives companies access to things that could otherwise have been prohibitively costly, such as multiple backup generators, power grids and HVAC units. What is managed colocation? Managed colocation provides all the advantages of colocation, and includes a number of managed services.   Businesses opting for managed colocation not only gain access to a physical... --- ### Network Modernization: Present and Future > Investing in network modernization is the key to future-proofing your businesses. Here’s everything you need to know about network modernization. - Published: 2024-03-18 - Modified: 2024-03-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/network-modernization-present-and-future/ In today’s fast-paced business world, staying ahead of technological advancements can make all the difference in your organization’s growth journey. Through network modernization, you can build the digital infrastructure necessary to adopt emerging cloud technologies and maintain a competitive advantage over entities within your vertical. However, you can’t embark on a network modernization journey half-heartedly. You need a comprehensive network modernization strategy that accounts for the inevitable challenges you’ll encounter along the way. With that in mind, join us as we explore the basics of modernizing your data networks, including benefits, challenges, and strategies to consider. What is Network Modernization? Network modernization refers to the process of upgrading and transforming a company’s networking infrastructure to improve its efficiency, security, scalability, and manageability. This type of transformation often involves moving away from traditional, hardware-centric network setups toward more flexible and secure solutions, such as a cloud-based wide-area network (WAN). The goal of network modernization is to create a network that can better support current and future enterprise needs, adapt to modern technology landscapes, and provide a foundation for digital transformation initiatives. By revamping your network, you can achieve greater agility, facilitating more proactive business management amid shifting market conditions. Components of Network Modernization It’s important to tailor your network modernization strategy to align with the unique needs of your business. That said, most modernization initiatives will feature a few common components, including the following. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Also known as software-defined infrastructure, SDN uses software and automation to manage infrastructure resources.... --- ### What is a Colocation Cabinet? - Published: 2024-03-12 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-colocation-cabinet/ A colocation rack cabinet is a widely-used option that sees a number of different tenants share a cabinet in a data center. Designed to maximize cost-effectiveness and efficiency, a colocation rack cabinet is both safe and secure. Companies that use data center colocation services to host and run their IT equipment will often opt for a colocation rack cabinet. It allows them to share space within a single rack enclosure, in a way that doesn’t compromise on security or reliability. Clarifying Colocation Colocation, also sometimes known as colo, is a term used to refer to data centers where businesses can rent space for their servers and storage devices. All kinds of hardware can be kept safe at colocation data centers, and there are plenty of reasons to use one. With colocation, smaller companies can start to take advantage of the functionality of a much larger IT department than they might otherwise have been able to run. Colocation also provides unparalleled flexibility and scalability, making it an attractive option for larger companies looking to expand in the near future. Here are more resources if you'd like to know more about what is colocation, retail colocation or managed colocation. The Colocation Cabinet Explained Every rack in a colocation data center is designed in a modular way. This means that it can accommodate a number of different server cabinets, without compromising on the security measures that are so important to today’s businesses. The design of data center cabinets allows them to be easily... --- ### Network Speed vs. Bandwidth: What’s the Difference? > Understanding the difference between network speed vs. bandwidth will help you determine your company’s connectivity needs. - Published: 2024-02-28 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/network-speed-vs-bandwidth/ In the world of networking, two terms frequently come up: network speed and bandwidth. While often used interchangeably, they are not one and the same. Each measures different aspects of network performance. When evaluating your organization’s connectivity needs, it’s vital that you know the difference between network speed vs. bandwidth. Below, we’ll explore these essential performance monitoring metrics so that you can better understand how they impact the velocity and efficiency of your data operations. What is Network Speed? Network speed refers to the rate at which data gets transferred from the internet to your device or vice versa. It describes how fast data packets are moving across your digital infrastructure. You measure this performance indicator using megabits per second (Mbps). Many factors can impact your data velocity, including the type of connection you have, the amount of traffic, and the performance of your internet service provider (ISP). Think of this metric as the velocity of a car on a highway. The faster the car, the less time it takes it to reach its destination. That same concept applies to network speed. Much like the car cruising down the highway, data needs to travel at a high velocity to reach its destination efficiently. The faster data moves, the less time it takes to exchange information, such as loading a web page, streaming a video, or downloading a file. However, speed alone does not guarantee efficiency and good performance. For example, a sports car might be capable of traveling well over... --- ### Data Center Colocation RFP Template - Published: 2024-02-01 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-colocation-rfp-template/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Download your free data center colocation RFP template here. Packed with everything you need to know about colocation, the template includes requirements, selection processes, timelines, questions and things to consider throughout the colocation process. A colocation request for proposal (RFP) will help you narrow down what it is you’re looking for from your future IT infrastructure. Download the template and start defining your current and future requirements, so that you can make the best long-term decisions for your business. Our free template will help you choose the right colocation provider and data center to meet the specific needs of your business. Fully editable and easy to use, the template has been designed to help you establish what you’re really looking for. It’ll also help our team to provide everything you need, within your chosen deployment timeline. Using research gathered from years in the business, along with expert opinions from engineers, solution architects and sales teams, we’ve put together a complete data center colocation RFP that’s ready to use straight away. The template includes: Timeline and schedule planning Information on your current IT Infrastructure Business requirements Your colocation vendor profile Customer examples and references Financial statements Compliance and certifications Key questions to ask Created with our customers in mind, our RFP template will take the hassle out of planning your colocation. Download the template for free and start narrowing down your future infrastructure plans. And remember, if you have any questions, our team is here to help. Our range of guides... --- ### Cloud Data Centers Explained > Learn what cloud data centers are, how they work, why they’re important, and why they will be important for businesses in the future. - Published: 2024-02-01 - Modified: 2025-02-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cloud-data-centers-explained/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In today's digital age, where data is the new oil, understanding the backbone of internet infrastructure has become essential. The rapid evolution of technology and the increasing reliance on digital platforms have made data centers an integral part of modern computing. Among these, cloud data centers have emerged as a pivotal element in shaping how businesses and individuals store, manage, and process data. This article delves into the intricacies of cloud data centers, elucidating their workings, advantages, comparison with on-premises data centers, and what the future holds for them. What is a Cloud Data Center? A cloud data center is a collection of networked computer servers that provide remote computing resources and storage to individuals and organizations. Unlike traditional data centers, which are physically located on the organization's premises using them, cloud data centers are typically operated by third-party service providers and are accessible over the Internet. This setup allows users to lease computing power and storage capacity as needed without the capital expenditure and maintenance requirements of owning and operating physical hardware. Cloud data centers are the backbone of cloud computing, a model that enables ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources. These resources can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider interaction, offering high scalability, flexibility, and efficiency. How Do Cloud Data Centers Work? The functionality of cloud data centers hinges on virtualization technology, which allows for the creation of virtual machines (VMs) – simulated computers that... --- ### Understanding Colocation Pricing and How It Works > Understanding colocation pricing will help you make informed data management decisions for your business and keep IT costs manageable. - Published: 2024-01-29 - Modified: 2025-01-09 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-colocation-pricing/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Does your business need space for servers, storage, and networking? If so, renting space at a colocation data center can be a great option.   Before you take that leap, it’s vital that you understand colocation pricing, as well as the services and support that you’ll receive from your provider. With that in mind, let’s dive into data center colocation pricing, how it works, and what factors impact out-of-pocket costs. What is Colocation Pricing? Colocation pricing refers to the cost associated with renting space for data center equipment.   Unlike traditional hosting, colocation providers give businesses the physical space, power, cooling, and security necessary to house their equipment. Colocation centers also offer connectivity to various network service providers.   Traditionally, you would have two options when building out data center infrastructure. The first and most cost-prohibitive approach involves hosting it in your own facility, setting up the data center, and taking on all of the expenses that come along with it.   The other common approach is managed hosting. Many businesses enjoy the convenience of this approach, as the provider oversees everything. You lease the servers and other equipment while they handle the tedious back-end administrative processes. Naturally, pricing for managed hosting is higher than colocation hosting pricing.   A similar approach would be to use cloud providers, but this carries many of the same disadvantages. With a colocation, you own the servers and other core hardware. The provider offers network connectivity, cooling and power systems, and other support infrastructure.... --- ### What Are Modular Data Centers, and Can They Help? > Modular data centers provide flexibility and scalability, enabling your business to adapt to changing IT needs. Find out how they can help today. - Published: 2024-01-29 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-are-modular-data-centers/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA The old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” simply doesn’t apply to data center infrastructure. In the rapidly evolving tech sector, you can’t wait for your operations to hit a snag to explore new ways of doing things. Instead, you must take a proactive approach to change management that maximizes adaptability and nimbleness, which is the premise of modular data centers (MDCs). The modular data center isn’t reinventing the wheel, but it is realigning it. By taking a modular approach to data center design, you can tap into scalable resources and embrace technologies like artificial intelligence. Modular data centers are more than just hype. Here’s why. What Are Modular Data Centers? Modular data centers use a flexible approach to software and hardware implementation. Instead of designing a data center as a complete, inseparable entity, the modular method builds separate pieces of infrastructure and then combines them to create a complete facility. Generally, modular data centers are stored in prefabricated boxes or shipping containers, depending on their size. Thanks to the modular approach, facility managers can make changes or upgrades to the equipment without disrupting the entire infrastructure. Let’s consider a simple analogy. Traditional data centers can be likened to a model house that’s glued together during assembly. Is it possible to make modifications to the house after you finish construction? Sure, but doing so would be impracticably tedious and time-consuming. That’s because the house was built with a fixed capacity. By contrast, modular solutions are more like a... --- ### Data Center Checklist - Published: 2024-01-15 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-checklist/ When it comes to finding a data center there's a lot of criteria to assess. It's easy to forget key criteria, not be aware of some, or be misled by others. That's why we've put together our data center checklist that will help you identify a data center that meets your requirements. Our checklist goes through key criteria such as; the building, generators, cooling, connectivity, security, compliance and amenities. Each section has important questions for you to ask your prospective data centers to ensure they will meet your needs. Download today and start using this as you look for a data center. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions --- ### Power Configuration for AI Computing - Published: 2024-01-12 - Modified: 2024-10-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/power-configuration-for-ai-computing/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA The capabilities of artificial intelligence now, and in the future, really are mind boggling. But with awe-inspiring functionality comes an incredible demand for power - so data centers need to be prepared. Artificial Intelligence isn’t known for its power efficiency. In fact, the processor density that AI requires is so great that it's likely to mean real changes for data centers. And these need to be made with some urgency. The demand for cooling and power requirements will be a particular focus amongst data centers catering to AI.   Companies too need to be on the lookout for data centers that can realistically accommodate their increasing level of demand. In this article, we’ll explore some typical systems to see how they work, and which businesses they might be best for. Then, we’ll give you the lowdown on what you need to be looking for in a data center, to ensure that you choose a data center that’s fully equipped to facilitate growth in AI computing. Typical systems and how they work Let’s begin by looking at the operations of Typical GPU System. Such systems typically have six plugs and power supplies, and operate with four. The systems throttle at three, but this would represent a significant performance reduction. At lower than three, these systems are inoperable.   Option 0 is what’s known as batch based processing. This is used by many seismic/HPC firms. In a planned or unplanned scenario, there might be a few hours of outages. But we need... --- ### Single Phase and Three Phase Power: What’s the Difference? > Learn about single phase and three phase power. What is single phase power? What is 3 phase power? How to calculate single phase and 3 phase power. - Published: 2024-01-09 - Modified: 2025-04-22 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/single-phase-and-three-phase-power/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA If you’ve ever wondered what single phase power is and how it works, we’re here to shine a light on the issue. There are distinct differences between single phase power and three phase power, but few really understand what these are - and why they matter so much.   In this article, we’ll talk you through single phase power, explaining what it means and how it’s used. We’ll also talk through the differences between single phase power and three phase power, to clear up any confusion on the topic. What is single phase power? When we talk about a phase, we mean the distribution of a load. So, when we use the term single phase power we’re referring to a two-wire alternating current power circuit.   Single phase power supplies are typically used with loads such as lighting or heating, while higher loads like electric motors generally necessitate a three-phase power supply. How does single phase power work? Single phase power circuits have a single power wire, which is known as the phase wire, and a neutral wire.   In a two-wire alternating power circuit, the current flows between the power wire and neutral wire. The power current or voltage reverses periodically, flowing one way on the hot wire to deliver power to a load, and the other way on the neutral wire.   The voltage reverses 50 to 60 times every second, with a full power cycle taking place with every 360 degree phase change. What is 3 phase... --- ### What to Look Out For in a Master Services Agreement > Master services agreements are a vital part of the relationship between a data center and its customers. - Published: 2024-01-09 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-to-look-out-for-in-a-master-services-agreement/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Master services agreements are a vital part of the relationship between a data center and its customers. But few people really understand what to look out for when it comes to finalizing their master services agreement.   In this article, we’ll talk you through some of the key things to consider when looking into these agreements, to help you get the best deal from your data center. Does my data center compete with me? Many data centers offer a wide range of services, from managed facilities to services and hosted infrastructure. In some cases, this can represent a conflict of interest as the data center can end up in direct competition with its clients. If your business offers any services that might compete with those offered by your chosen data center, there’s a real risk of issues further down the line. Pay attention to the other services a data center offers to ensure that you’re not competing with the data center you choose to partner with. It’s worth noting that TRG Datacenters exclusively offers Colocation and Colo+. So, there’s no need to worry about your data center competing with you! Term flexibility Some data centers are more flexible than others. When looking at your master services agreement, prioritize flexibility to ensure your agreement will work for your company long term.   No one knows exactly what the future holds, so the more flexible your arrangements are, the better. Look for a data center with a retail focus A data center... --- ### Human Error & Alarm Fatigue - Published: 2024-01-08 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/human-error-alarm-fatigue/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Recent research published by Uptime shows that both the frequency and severity of data center outages is now on the decline. In 2023, just one in 10 outages was categorized as serious or severe, with operators reporting that 41% of outages in the past three years were negligible. This is an improvement of four percentage points from 2022 and 10 percentage points from 2021. Human error remains a real issue in data centers, however, and now comes second only to power as the primary driving force in outages. Over the past 25 years, Uptime estimates that direct or indirect instances of human error account for between two-thirds and four-fifths of all downtime incidents. When we look into these cases in more detail, we can see exactly where the majority of these errors occur. In 48% of cases, errors happen because of data center staff failing to follow procedures or processes. Incorrect staff processes in place caused 45% of outages, while installation issues were at fault in 23% of cases. Reducing Alarm Fatigue & Protecting Our Employees Alarm Fatigue is a significant issue in our industry, and it’s one of the issues that needs to be addressed in order to really tackle the human error problem.   When everything is an emergency, people become numb and calloused to those emergencies. This lack of empathy on one side can cause MAJOR customer service interaction issues, but it can also cause unnecessary stress and turn-over within an organization. Staff turn-over and training is... --- ### How We Can Reduce Your IT Costs - Published: 2023-12-29 - Modified: 2025-03-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-we-can-reduce-your-it-costs/ - Resource Categories: Colo Assessment And improve reliability at the same time Here are five ways colocation with us can reduce your costs, all while joining a facility managed by a team with a 20-year 100% uptime record. Often companies are oversold on space, our consultative approach has reduced costs here by up to 50% before. Companies are often oversold on price too, we can offer a reduced price per rack on top of an incentive to move from another data center, saving up to 30%. Our fully managed options can save you significant time, completely removing any inconvenient trips to the data center. Free cross connects, which are often the primary revenue driver for other data centers. Free remote hands on save both time and money, and increases reliability. Read more here. Use our calculator here to estimate how much you could save. --- ### The Most Deleted Social Media Apps in 2023 > Despite the popularity of social media, the apps can quickly fall in and out of favour with users. Which social media apps did people delete in 2023? - Published: 2023-12-20 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-most-deleted-social-media-apps-in-2023/ There are 4. 8 billion social media users worldwide, which represents 59. 9% of the global population and 92. 7% of all internet users. Those that use social media use an average of 6. 7 different networks each month, spending an average of 2 hours and 24 minutes on them per day. Despite the popularity of social media, the apps can quickly fall in and out of favour with users. For example, in 2018 Kylie Jenner posted on Twitter (now X): ‘sooo does anyone else not open Snapchat anymore? Or is it just me... ugh this is so sad. ’ This one, bored tweet wiped more than $1bn off Snap Inc’s market value in one of the company’s worst trading days. On 5th July 2023, Meta - which owns Instagram and Facebook - announced the launch of ‘Threads’, describing it as ‘a new app... for sharing text updates and joining public conversations’ and was hailed as Mark Zuckerberg's version of X/Twitter. In five days, it gained 100 million users. However, by August it was reported that there had already been an 80% drop in daily active users since launch. Time spent on the app also dropped, in July users were spending an average 21 minutes on it daily, as of November it has dropped to just three minutes. It’s clearly hard for social media apps to remain relevant, so we decided to uncover which of the most popular have fallen out of favour this year. To do this we used... --- ### What Are Data Center Solutions? > Explore what data center solutions are, why they’re so important for businesses, and how to implement them effectively. - Published: 2023-12-19 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-are-data-center-solutions/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA In the digital age, data is the new currency, powering everything from local mom-and-pop shops to international corporations. But where do businesses store all these digital resources that power their applications and guide their decision-making processes? Enter the data center, the powerhouse of the digital-first world. Join us as we explore the question, “What are data center solutions? . ” We’ll move beyond the basic definition of data centers and discuss the cloud solutions and infrastructure you need to drive your business forward. What Are Data Center Solutions? Data center solutions encompass the hardware, software, processes, and services used to create and manage these information storage networks. They are the backbone of cloud computing, streamlining information management and allowing software providers to deliver a range of services to businesses and end-users around the world. Why Are Data Solutions Important for Business? Data center solutions are not just a technical necessity; they also are a strategic asset for businesses across sectors. Here are a few industries that rely on data center systems to power their operations: Energy For energy companies, data centers play a critical role in managing the vast amounts of information from diverse sources, including equipment, grids, and renewable energy sources. Energy providers collect data from each facility and tier of grid infrastructure, resulting in vast amounts of information. Without a modern data center solution, this information would become unmanageable and useless. The reliability and scalability of data center solutions ensure that energy companies can adapt to changing demands... --- ### The Role and Purpose of Data Center GPUs > Explore the crucial role and purpose of GPUs in data centers, how to implement them, and whether AI can play a vital role. - Published: 2023-12-18 - Modified: 2024-10-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-role-and-purpose-of-data-center-gpus/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA In the digital era, where data and its processing are at the heart of technological advancements, data centers have become crucial. Within these data centers, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) have emerged as key components, transforming how complex computations are handled. Let’s dive into GPUs' multifaceted role and purpose in data centers, offering insights into their growing significance. As a data center ourselves we also offer GPU colocation if you're interested. What Are GPUs in Data Centers? GPUs, or Graphics Processing Units, were initially designed for rendering graphics in video games, and other high-end graphics applications have found a new purpose in data centers. In this context, a GPU is a highly specialized electronic circuit designed to rapidly manipulate and alter memory, accelerating the creation and manipulation of images for output. However, the scope of their application has broadened considerably. In data centers, GPUs are employed for their exceptional ability to perform parallel data processing, making them ideal for a range of tasks, including scientific computations, machine learning algorithms, and processing large-scale data. Data Center GPUs Vs CPUs To understand the role of GPUs in data centers, it's essential to compare them with Central Processing Units (CPUs). CPUs are the traditional heart of a computer, designed to handle a wide range of tasks. They excel in sequential processing and can efficiently execute a series of complex instructions. GPUs, on the other hand, are designed to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Their architecture allows them to perform thousands of smaller, independent tasks concurrently,... --- ### Disaster Recovery Plan > We’ll take you through the strategies and tools you need to build a disaster recovery plan that works for your business. - Published: 2023-12-14 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-plan/ A disaster recovery plan will protect your business should the worst happen. Essential for companies of all sizes, a comprehensive disaster plan could mean the difference between a small hiccough that users barely notice, and a frustrating, lengthy period of downtime that has customers heading to your competitors.   In this article, we’ll take you through the strategies and tools you need to build a disaster recovery plan that works for your business. What is a disaster recovery plan? A disaster recovery plan is a detailed set of guidelines that outlines how a company might respond to a potential incident. These guidelines typically cover the critical assets of a business, before going into detail on how the company should react to any unexpected disasters.   A huge range of different incidents can affect a company’s ability to serve its customers, and disaster recovery plans should include planned responses for all of these. Plans consider the effects of both man-made disasters and accidental events, setting out a company’s immediate response to all kinds of situations.   Disaster recovery plans cover everything from cyber attacks and system failures, to power outages, equipment failures and natural disasters that are completely outside of the company’s control.   A good disaster plan is designed to center around a company’s capabilities in the face of serious incidents, measuring how quickly and efficiently it would be able to restore its infrastructure should the worst happen.   Often, disasters will mean that companies lose access to essential data,... --- ### What is Retail Colocation? > Explore valuable insights into the world of retail colocation and its role in powering the modern business environment. - Published: 2023-12-04 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-retail-colocation/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In an age where data is the lifeblood of businesses and technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, the need for robust and reliable data infrastructure has never been greater.   This is where retail colocation comes into play. But what exactly is retail colocation, and why is it a crucial consideration for businesses of all sizes?   Whether you're a seasoned IT professional or just starting to explore data management solutions, this blog will provide valuable insights into the world of retail colocation and its role in powering the modern business environment. What is Retail Colocation? Retail colocation is a data center facility service that allows businesses to rent space, power, cooling, and network connectivity for their own servers, storage, and IT equipment.   In a colocation facility, multiple organizations share the same physical infrastructure while maintaining control over their hardware and software. Retail vs Wholesale You can probably guess the basic distinction between retail colocation and wholesale colocation—it all boils down to scale. With wholesale colocation, the customer rents a large space within a data center, typically measured in floor space or rooms.   On the other hand, retail colocation involves renting much smaller spaces for the servers and computing hardware, usually measured in racks or cabinets. Let’s examine the key differences between retail and wholesale colocation in more detail. Space Retail colocation: Offers space in smaller increments, like individual racks or cages. This makes it ideal for businesses that only require limited physical space for their IT... --- ### How Are AI Demands Affecting Data Center's Growth? > Learn about the relationship between AI and data centers, exploring how AI capabilities are driving the evolution, expansion, and transformation of these hubs. - Published: 2023-12-01 - Modified: 2025-04-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-are-ai-demands-affecting-data-centers-growth/ - Resource Categories: GPU Colo CTA In the digital age, the exponential growth of data and the relentless demand for artificial intelligence (AI) applications have converged to reshape the landscape of data centers. These facilities, once relegated to housing and managing servers and storage, have now become the beating heart of AI-driven innovation. As organizations across various industries increasingly rely on AI to gain insights, automate processes, and enhance customer experiences, the demands placed on data centers have surged to unprecedented levels. In this guide, we delve into the intricate relationship between AI and data centers, exploring how the insatiable appetite for AI capabilities is driving the evolution, expansion, and transformation of these critical infrastructure hubs. How Are AI Demands Affecting Data Centers Growth? AI in data centers is a double-edged sword. On one hand, as organizations embrace A, their storage and computing requirements grow exponentially, putting ever-greater demands on the data centers that serve them. On the other hand, as AI technologies are employed within data centers themselves, their capabilities and efficiency grow to meet and exceed these new challenges. The growth of businesses and organizations leveraging AI has led to a surge in demand for high-performance computing and storage solutions. Increasingly, customers need the use of advanced hardware capable of handling intensive processing tasks. Meanwhile, AI is revolutionizing data center operations. By integrating AI technologies, data centers are optimizing their resource allocation, predictive maintenance, and security measures. AI algorithms can efficiently manage data center workloads, optimize energy usage, and predict potential system failures, improving... --- ### App permissions: Which iOS and Google Play Store app is the most invasive? - Published: 2023-11-03 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/app-permissions-which-ios-and-google-play-store-app-is-the-most-invasive-2/ In the last two decades, the leap in personal technology ownership has been extreme. The advent of smartphones, and the subsequent rapid developments made to keep devices thin, reliable and cheap, has meant that 6. 6 billion people around the world own and use a smartphone (according to Statista). Smartphone users want to increase the functionality of their devices by downloading apps from stores such as iOS and the Google Play Store. With these apps, users can make accounts on social media, monitor their online banking, connect with others through games, and so much more. Your smartphone can help you access the world, but at a price: Each app will have its own specific permissions needs. Social media sites like Facebook and Instagram let you upload pictures and videos, watch content and communicate with others all around the world for free. Their price is access: they use your data to curate a customer profile of you, analysing your likes and dislikes, which then feeds into targeted digital advertising for products or services it believes you’ll be interested in. With 85% of the world’s current population owning and using smartphones, the business of digital advertising has exploded in the past ten years, with the market now worth an estimated $0. 7 trillion. When purchasing an app in Google Play or iOS, it specifies exactly what downloading the app gives access to. The 'data linked to you' consists of 14 different permissions, which include a vast amount of personal information, including location,... --- ### Understanding Data Center Security > Delve into data center security with TRG Datacenters. Uncover the blend of physical and digital measures ensuring robust protection for your crucial data. - Published: 2023-11-01 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-data-center-security/ When you think of data center security, do you picture walls topped with barbed wire, access-controlled security doors and armed guards stopping attacks? Well a determined threat only needs to rent space in the data center to bypass this. Data center security is much more nuanced, and requires a collaborative approach to counter digital threats. We are at the forefront of data center security, so whether you’re a standard colocation customer or you’re looking for a fully managed service with Colo+, your data is in safe hands. However, with all data centers, security is also a shared responsibility between the data center and its customers. This article will give a comprehensive rundown of data center security—what it is, what the threats are, who is responsible, and best practices to ensure your data is secure. What is Data Center Security? Data centers store critical and often sensitive information for businesses and other organizations, so the consequences of data loss can be severe, including massive financial costs and reputational damage. Having top-tier data security is crucial in these environments. Data center security refers to a comprehensive set of strategies, protocols, and measures designed to protect a data center's infrastructure and the valuable data stored within it. It encompasses both physical and digital defenses against various types of threat. Physical security involves controlling access to the data center facility, employing surveillance cameras, 24/7 personnel, and ensuring the facility is safeguarded against natural disasters, power outages, and other external threats. Regular audits, vulnerability assessments,... --- ### What is Data Center Management? > Learn about data center management – what it consists of, the challenges, and what makes it so important to modern enterprises today. - Published: 2023-10-19 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-management/ At our Houston data center, our colocation customers get the assurance of a physically secure, state-of-the-art building. However, we also maintain and manage the physical hardware, networking infrastructure, power, cooling, security, and the software that runs on the data center's servers. We also take control of numerous processes, tasks, practices, and tools to oversee and ensure the proper handling of our customers’ data. All these tasks are part and parcel of data center management. In this blog post, we’ll take a detailed look at data center management – what it consists of, the challenges, and what makes it so important to modern enterprises today. Why is Data Center Management So Important? Storing vast amounts of data and facilitating critical operations at every moment of every day, data centers are at the heart of modern enterprises. Data center management is about much more than just keeping these systems running – it’s also about ensuring they run optimally with minimal downtime. A well-managed data center also optimizes resources, ensuring energy efficiency and reducing operational costs. Furthermore, with cyber-attacks on the rise and threats becoming increasingly sophisticated, robust security measures are crucial to protect sensitive data and safeguard business operations. As businesses evolve and technology landscapes shift, data center management plays a pivotal role in ensuring agility and scalability. Any business that depends on its data must have strong data management in place to achieve continuity, resilience, and growth. Data Center Management Challenges The ongoing and ever-increasing demand for digital services presents unique... --- ### 37signals is Expected to Make $7 Million By Leaving The Cloud > Understand why 37signals' founder, David Heinemeier Hansson, recently announced that the company was leaving cloud services behind. - Published: 2023-10-18 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/37signals-expected-to-make-seven-million-leaving-cloud/ Understand why 37signals' founder, David Heinemeier Hansson, recently announced that the company was leaving cloud services behind. So, we're back with the third blog post of our eye-opening series about companies saying goodbye to the cloud and seeing big savings. Today, we spotlight 37signals, who's on track to pocket a cool $7 million by waving the cloud goodbye! If you haven't read our previous case studies yet, discover how Ahrefs saved an incredible $400 million in the first post of our series, and learn about Dropbox's strategic shift that significantly reduced their cloud dependence in the second one. 37signals' founder, David Heinemeier Hansson (aka DHH), recently announced that the company was leaving cloud services behind. This unexpected move has caused quite a stir, prompting many to question why 37signals is making this change and what financial benefits they anticipate. Let’s now explore the motivations driving their decision and shed light on how they implemented it – resulting in financial gains and operational efficiencies. The Background of The Move 37signals, known for Basecamp and HEY, has long experimented with cloud solutions, utilizing Amazon's and Google's platforms for various applications. However, the complexity and costs associated with significant cloud-based operations led them to reassess their strategy. Evaluating Costs: The Renting vs. Owning Dilemma Drawing a parallel to construction companies renting versus owning excavators, 37signals recognized the financial inefficiency of long-term renting – public cloud usage – in their case. Realizing that owning infrastructure could be more cost-effective was a game-changer in their cloud strategy. Custom Infrastructure: The Shift to Private Cloud Basecamp was already on bare metal servers, balancing... --- ### What Is Colocation? (And What Is a Colocation Data Center?) - Published: 2023-10-13 - Modified: 2025-04-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-colocation/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Colocation is the practice of renting space for servers and other computing hardware in a third-party facility. Instead of building, maintaining, and managing an in-house data center, companies looking for a colocation services can lease space in a colocation data center, like our Houston data center. A colocation data center provides a secure physical space for networking hardware, along with essential infrastructure support, such as power, cooling, and network connectivity. The impetus behind colocation comes down to the fact that building, maintaining, and managing a data center is simply not worth the investment for many organizations. Even those that do have the technical know-how and resources to manage a data center may not consider it worth the effort, given that there are now other, highly effective solutions available. And for many organizations looking for data storage today, the right solution is colocation. What Does a Colocation Service Include? These are the core features of colocation services. Facilities: This refers to the physical data centers where clients rent space to house their servers. These facilities have all the infrastructure to ensure that the client's hardware operates efficiently and securely: power supplies, cooling systems, and networking equipment. They are equipped with climate control, state-of-the-art fire suppression systems, and advanced security measures. Power: A constant and stable power supply is essential to ensure that servers and other hardware continue to operate without interruptions. Without backup systems, even brief power outages can lead to significant data loss or hardware damage. Colocation centers have redundant... --- ### What is Managed Colocation? - Published: 2023-10-04 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-managed-colocation/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Managed colocation is a service that enables organizations to lease out space in a colocation center to house their hardware - and essentially leave the rest to the colocation provider. With managed colocation, the provider will take care of the set-up as well as day-to-day management and maintenance of critical infrastructure. This includes rack and cable management, monitoring, power and cooling expertise and taking care of any additions or migrations when necessary.   TRG Datacenters are managed colocation experts. As a baseline, our Houston Data Center facility provides a fault tolerant environment for your colocation needs along with free remote hands 24/7, and free cross connects. But we also offer much more than that. For customers who want a fully managed colocation service we have Colo+. With our managed colocation services, we can manage the migration overnight within 12 hours (even on a Friday night), we have a unique rack and cabling system designed to eliminate operational risk from day 1, and all adds, moves and changes are included, so you can focus on innovating and driving core operations in your business. One of the key benefits of managed Colo is the fact that businesses can make use of established and mature processes to protect valuable assets. From the point at which gear is moved, everything is fully taken care of.   Insurance is provided for the journey, which is vitally important because umbrella policies will not cover employees moving equipment - even if they’re using company vehicles. And that’s... --- ### Dropbox Left the Cloud in 2015 and Never Went Back - Published: 2023-09-06 - Modified: 2025-05-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/dropbox-left-the-cloud-in-2015-and-never-went-back/ Dropbox made a significant decision in 2015, opting to reduce its dependence on cloud services, notably during a period of growing cloud adoption. This is the second article in our analytical series on cloud repatriation. Our first examined Ahrefs' 2020 choice to host their own colocation data center, which yielded substantial savings. Established in 2007, Dropbox's initial framework utilized Amazon's Simple Storage Service (S3) for file content storage, with metadata hosted in private data centers. By 2018, with an investment surpassing $53 million, Dropbox transitioned much of its infrastructure to three dedicated colocation facilities, bringing its AWS usage down to just 10%. For context, as of Q2 2023, Statista reports that AWS holds a 32% share in the $65 billion cloud infrastructure market. Many businesses have shifted from public cloud to managed colocation services or hybrid solutions in recent years. This article will explore Dropbox's rationale for such a move, its adopted strategy, and its broader industry implications. The Impetus Behind Dropbox’s Reverse Migration As Dropbox expanded, its distinct storage needs and growing user base nudged it towards reconsidering traditional cloud options. An established data center presence: Dropbox was familiar with data center infrastructure even in its nascent stages. Their alliance with Amazon S3 intensified post-2013 to cater to burgeoning storage needs. Economies of scale and profit margins: A pivotal rationale for their shift was the prospect of amplified cost savings and profit margins. In-house large-scale storage promised superior economies of scale. The inception of Magic Pocket: This was Dropbox's... --- ### What is Software Defined Infrastructure? - Published: 2023-07-31 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-software-defined-infrastructure/ The rapid growth of cloud and virtualization technologies over the past several decades has seen the emergence of news ways to innovate and optimize infrastructure management. Software-defined infrastructure (SDI) turns the traditional hardware-centric approach to infrastructure management on its head.   Traditionally, servers, storage, and networking are managed and provisioned through manual and hardware-oriented processes. With SDI, these infrastructure resources are managed through software control and automation. At our Houston data center, for example, we support SDI through virtualized storage resources. In this article, we’ll look at how SDI works, explore the key ingredients in its success, highlight the benefits, and examine its role in modern data centers. How does Software-Defined Infrastructure work? The foundation of SDI is virtualization – the abstraction of hardware resources as software. Instead of interacting directly with the hardware, we interact with virtual instances of servers, storage, and networking components in a hyperconverged infrastructure. With the ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, and high throughput of modern networks, this arrangement enables a far more flexible and scalable infrastructure. SDI is an umbrella term that includes software control of key areas of infrastructure, which have their own related methodologies: Software-defined networking (SDN): SDN separates the control plane from the underlying network hardware. Network resources are controlled and managed centrally, giving administrators greater agility and efficiency when configuring and provisioning large networks. Software-defined storage (SDS): Similarly, SDS abstracts storage resources and gives us a unified view of storage infrastructure. SDS enables administrators to pool storage capacity, so they can... --- ### Cloud Repatriation: What Lies Beyond the Hype > Optimize cost, performance & secure application deployment by strategically placing workloads. Read TRG’s ungated paper Cloud Repatriation: What Lies Beyond the Hype - Published: 2023-07-27 - Modified: 2023-07-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cloud-repatriation-what-lies-beyond-the-hype/ A Business Guide to Rethinking Cloud Strategies This white paper, "Cloud Repatriation: What Lies Beyond the Hype," is your gateway to uncovering the hidden potential beyond cloud buzzwords. Gain valuable insights and strategic guidance to rethink your cloud strategies. Discover how application repatriation can optimize costs, maximize application performance, and lead to greater fiscal responsibility. By downloading this paper, you'll learn: A comprehensive decision framework to assess if cloud repatriation is the right fit for your organization. Strategies to optimize costs, maximize application performance, and minimize wasteful cloud expenditure. Insightful analysis on security considerations and how to maintain control over sensitive data and critical applications. An understanding of how colocation facilities can offer the flexibility and support you need for successful application repatriation. --- ### AI Chatbots: Energy usage of 2023’s most popular chatbots (so far) - Published: 2023-07-26 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/ai-chatbots-energy-usage-of-2023s-most-popular-chatbots-so-far/ Advancements in artificial intelligence have continued to accelerate over the course of this year, bringing with them innovation on a scale that has never been seen before.   Now firmly in the mainstream, AI tools are expected to revolutionise all kinds of industries, from transforming retail experiences to changing the way we access medicine.   Businesses are already having to compete with some of the biggest names in the industry, including the likes of Chat GPT, and many are hard at work on their own versions of popular chatbots with similar capabilities.   But like most technological advances, the introduction of every new AI chatbot comes with a downside. In this case, it’s a considerable amount of energy consumption.   Some of the biggest players in this market, such as Microsoft Corp. , Alphabet Inc. ’s Google and ChatGPT maker OpenAI, use cloud computing to power their tools. The technology provided by these companies relies on thousands of chips, housed within servers in gargantuan data centres across the globe.   The power of AI chatbots lies in their ability to train algorithms, known as models, analysing data in order to learn from it and better perform tasks.  But what does this mean in terms of energy usage? Is the price being paid for AI tools like these higher than we might have first realised?   Here we will explore the issue of AI energy consumption, to reveal which chatbots have the highest energy requirements, and which have a far lower... --- ### Ahrefs Rejected the Cloud and Saved $400 Million > This is the first in a new series of blogs unpacking the reasons behind a growth in apprehension towards cloud-based services - Published: 2023-07-10 - Modified: 2024-02-05 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-ahrefs-rejected-the-cloud/ According to Gartner, worldwide end-user spending on public cloud services projects to reach $591. 8 billion in 2023 – an increase of 20. 7% from 2022's $490. 3 billion figure. However, beneath the appealing facade of immediate infrastructure and scale, companies are grappling with a stark reality – as they scale, the cost of cloud can eclipse its benefits. In fact, this is just one reason that is feeding into a growing a pattern of Cloud repatriation.   Recent years have seen more high-profile examples of businesses either choosing to relocate from the public cloud to a colocation data center or even their own private solution. Other examples see companies choosing a much more hybrid approach. In some instances, companies have come out with their own stories on why they never moved on to the cloud in the fist place. Ahrefs, a leading SEO toolset provider, is a sterling testament to the latter of these trends. In 2020, they dared to reject the cloud, instead opting for a colocation data center strategy. This strategic move saved them an incredible $400 million, which they shared on their Medium blog.   For us here at TRG Datacenters, understanding these shifts not only illuminates the evolving dynamics of the market but also uncovers potential opportunities and future trajectories within our industry.   This is the first in a new series of blogs unpacking the reasons behind a seeming increase in apprehension towards cloud-based services. Join us here as we explore Ahrefs' journey. What... --- ### What Is Containerization? - Published: 2023-06-21 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-containerization/ In computing, the term containerization refers to a common deployment process whereby an application’s code is combined with the required files and libraries and packaged in a single bundle. This bundle contains everything needed to allow the code to run on any infrastructure.   Containerization enables applications to run on computers with different operating systems, eliminating the hassle and saving time.   In this article, we’ll explore the idea of containerization in more detail. Read on for a full explanation of containerization and how it works.   What does containerization mean in computing?   When we talk about containerization in this context, we’re talking about a type of virtualization. It’s where applications can run in isolated spaces, which we typically call containers.   Applications run in isolated containers using a shared operating system. By doing things this way, teams can create fully portable computing environments. Containers combine everything an application requires to work as it should. Which means you’ll find binaries, libraries, configuration files, and dependencies within one container.   The container works independently of its host operating system, like a lightweight virtual machine. This means that applications that have been containerized will run on almost any infrastructure, including the cloud.   A similar concept can, and is, being applied to data physical IT infrastructure too. Companies are creating containerized data centers by using physical shipping containers housing servers, storage and networking equipment together. These containers are portable and can be moved to suit business requirements.   How does containerization... --- ### Top Benefits of Edge Computing - Published: 2023-04-29 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/top-benefits-of-edge-computing/ When it comes to edge computing, there are several key benefits and drawbacks to consider. Edge computing can help organizations reduce latency, improve scalability, and enable real-time analytics. However, it can also be costly to implement and maintain and requires significant investment in both hardware and software infrastructure. Some edge computing examples include edge-based applications such as video streaming and AR/VR, edge devices such as IoT sensors, and edge gateways that provide edge computing services. In this article, we’ll compare edge computing with having a data center and discuss the top benefits and disadvantages of edge computing. What is Edge Computing? Edge computing is a form of decentralized computing that enables data processing to take place at edge locations, such as the edge of a network or end-user devices. Edge computing offers numerous benefits when compared to traditional methods of cloud computing. How Does it Work? Computing edge reduces latency and increases system performance by bringing edge computing services closer to the user. This means that edge computing can help reduce network traffic and make processes faster, resulting in improved response times for users. One common edge computing example is the use of edge gateways. Edge gateways are devices that are placed at the edge of a network and provide access to cloud services, such as security or storage services, without data having to travel through the entire network. Another is the deployment of edge devices, such as IoT sensors that can be used to monitor and control a variety... --- ### What is Data Center Design? > In this article, we will explore what makes up effective data center designs to help you understand why certain decisions are made when it comes to setting up your environment. - Published: 2023-04-19 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-center-design/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA In today's digital world, data centers are crucial for the smooth and efficient functioning of operations. So how do you design a first-class data center? A design data center is more than just arranged cables and servers—it's an intricate process involving many variables such as network architecture, resilience engineering, power availability, equipment selection, and, most importantly, for the health of the business – finding cost-effective solutions. In this article, we will explore what makes up effective data center designs to help you understand why certain decisions are made when it comes to setting up your environment. What Does Data Center Design Mean? Data center design is the process of planning and constructing a data center's physical infrastructure to meet organization-specific requirements. It entails planning data layout, optimization of system architecture, and validation of data centers according to effective standards. Components in data center design include data layout, security, power and cooling methods, monitoring systems, and redundancy strategies. The choice of components not only affects the ability to scale operations but also contributes significantly to data security. With robust data center design solutions that provide flexibility and scalability for future growth potential, organizations can ensure their data is secure yet accessible with the right data solutions for their needs. Does Data Center Design Have Standards and Guidelines? The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has released its ANSI/TIA-942 Telecommunications Infrastructure Standard for Data Centers, which serves as a guide in designing, building, and managing data centers. This standard outlines the requirements for... --- ### Managed IT Services > From managing your network administration to cybersecurity, managed IT services can help you achieve improved IT efficiency and overall business productivity. - Published: 2023-04-18 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/managed-it-services/ Today, managed IT services are a critical part of the business landscape. From handling your network administration to your organization’s cybersecurity, managed IT services can be the game changer you need to achieve improved IT efficiency and overall business productivity. After all, by letting IT experts do their thing, you can focus on the core of your business without worrying about the little details. Managed IT Services: What It Is and Why You Need It The first thing you should know is that managed IT services are not just for big businesses or large corporations. Even small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have a lot to gain from engaging in managed IT services. A managed IT services company is a third-party service provider committed to providing businesses with technology infrastructure, support, and security to help these businesses grow, operate efficiently, and gain a competitive advantage in their industries. Therefore, by partnering with a managed IT service, you don’t have to invest in an expensive in-house IT team or worry about the technical details of your IT infrastructure. In today’s digital age, when IT influences every aspect of business, having a reliable managed IT service provider is not optional. Who Are NETdepot? NETdepot is a leading managed infrastructure and cloud services provider with a track record of providing customers with top-notch managed IT services for almost three decades. From designing to building, maintaining, and upgrading IT infrastructure, they have become a go-to for businesses looking to up their IT game. Generally, NETdepot... --- ### Understanding Data Center Interconnection - Published: 2023-03-27 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-data-center-interconnection/ There are many factors that businesses must consider when choosing a data center. And of course some should be given a greater priority than others. While the specific needs of different businesses vary quite significantly, there’s one thing that all companies are looking for: reliability. If you’re looking to maximize the potential of your company by reducing the risk of downtime and prioritizing stability and reliability, we’d recommend focusing on interconnection as one of the key requirements in your search for a data center. In this article, we’ll explain more about data center interconnection and what it means, so you’ll be fully equipped with the knowledge you need to find the best data center for your company. The Benefits of Data Center Interconnection Data center interconnection provides a wealth of benefits to businesses. The amount of data companies require to fulfill processes and impress their customers continues to rise, and businesses are having to think ahead to ensure they can continue to provide the great service their customers expect. As such, IT infrastructure has never been more important. Interconnection dramatically improves the potential of a data center, enhancing its stability and reliability while simultaneously allowing the data center to tailor its approach to suit the various requirements of different companies. Here are just a few key benefits of data center interconnection to consider. Better Access to Global Markets Data center interconnection enables companies to access a number of different service providers. Access to numerous ISPs gives companies a number of... --- ### Is the US workforce ready for a virtual reality workplace? - Published: 2023-03-16 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/is-the-us-workforce-ready-for-a-virtual-reality-workplace/ The way in which we work has changed dramatically in recent years. A growing trend towards remote working was accelerated quite significantly by the advent of Covid-19 and the social distancing policies brought about to curb its spread, with many businesses choosing not to go back to traditional arrangements even as the world began to reopen its doors.   The U. S. Census Bureau revealed that between 2019 and 2021, the number of people primarily working from home tripled from 5. 7% (roughly 9 million people) to 17. 9%.   There’s now no denying the fact that remote working is here to stay. In fact, many companies that had never considered the concept before are bringing in new arrangements designed to better facilitate teamwork and collaboration from any location.   The takeup of technology designed to boost the capabilities of remote workers has skyrocketed as a result, with vast numbers of forward-thinking organizations now on the lookout for the next big thing in collaborative software. And it looks as though virtual reality has the answer. Enter virtual reality workplaces. Virtual reality workplaces have the potential to transform the possibilities of remote work. But along with some incredible benefits, they do present a fair few challenges. One of the key concerns in the delivery of virtual reality workplaces is the sheer volume of data that will be required to run them. Such technology will necessitate enormous data centers, with mind boggling capabilities - the likes of which we’ve never seen before.... --- ### Data Center Relocation: How to Plan Successfully - Published: 2023-02-20 - Modified: 2025-04-22 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-relocation-how-to-plan-successfully/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Successful data center relocations are the result of huge amounts of careful project planning, which starts long in advance of the big day. Whether you already have a data center relocation on the horizon, or you’re considering making the move in the future, it pays to be prepared. In this article, we’ll talk you through some of the most important steps in the planning of a successful data center relocation. Once you have the relocation planned out, be sure to also read our essential Data Center Relocation Checklist for a breakdown of the key steps to remember for the move. Project planning The amount of planning that goes into your data center relocation really can make or break it. Don’t be afraid of spending significant amounts of time (and utilising a fair amount of manpower) in this planning stage. A well planned move really will pay off in the end. The early stages of your project planning should see you establish which member of the team will take responsibility for project management. Assigning responsibility in this way will ensure accountability, smoothing the process along as one person takes the lead in delegating the tasks that need to be done. Once your project manager has been assigned to the job and everyone knows what their roles are, you can start to think about prerequisites for your move. By this, we mean things that might throw a spanner in the works if they aren’t carried out in a timely fashion. Check for... --- ### What is a Hyperscale Data Center? > Discover what hyperscale data centers are, how they work, their benefits, and the future trends shaping modern IT infrastructure. - Published: 2023-01-12 - Modified: 2024-10-01 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-hyperscale-data-center/ A hyperscale data center is like a traditional data center, except everything is done on an enormous scale - they have thus been built to meet the specific needs of large scale organizations. As the name suggests, hyperscale data centers are vast facilities, which are capable of fulfilling storage needs that are far higher than an SME. To understand how these facilities scale to meet the demands of their users, it's essential to consider two primary dimensions: horizontally and vertically. How Does a Hyperscale Data Center Work? The core functionality of a hyperscale data center revolves around its ability to scale both horizontally and vertically. This means that additional computing power and storage can be added seamlessly without disrupting the operations or services being delivered. Horizontally Scaling horizontally, also known as scale-out, involves adding more machines or nodes to a pool to increase capacity or throughput. With hyperscale data centers, this means expanding the facility's resources by adding more servers, storage units, or networking gear to handle additional load. This approach is particularly well-suited to cloud computing environments, where the demand for resources can fluctuate dramatically and rapidly. Horizontal scaling allows hyperscale data centers to be incredibly flexible and responsive to changing demands. When more processing power, storage space, or networking capacity is needed, additional units can be seamlessly integrated into the existing infrastructure without disrupting service. Vertically Vertical scaling, or scale-up, involves increasing the capacity of existing machines or systems by adding more powerful components, such as faster CPUs,... --- ### Colocation Relocation: Seven Common Mistakes to Avoid - Published: 2022-11-18 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/colocation-relocation-seven-common-mistakes-to-avoid/ To make sure your relocation runs smoothly, we’ve put together a list of some of the relocation mistakes we see time and time again, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for when it’s your turn to start planning the process. Planning a relocation is no mean feat. With so much to organize, and so much to think about, it’s no wonder that many teams overlook a few of the finer details here and there. There are a number of common mistakes that tend to crop up during the process of colocation relocation, and all of these have one thing in common: they tend to result from a lack of planning. To make sure your relocation runs smoothly, we’ve put together a list of some of the relocation mistakes we see time and time again, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for when it’s your turn to start planning the process. Here are seven of the most common pitfalls of colocation relocation, along with our best advice on how to avoid them. Not leaving enough time to complete the process Few think colocation relocation is a simple task, but all too often we come across teams who don’t leave themselves enough time to complete it. This inevitably leads to rushing towards the end, and a real increase in the likelihood of mistakes being made. We recommend leaving a time frame of between 21-30 days to complete your relocation fully. It is possible to relocate in a shorter period of time, but it’s a good idea to give your team plenty of wriggle room, just in case they do come up against any unforeseen circumstances during the process. A lack of clarity on individual responsibility Colocation relocation is rarely the... --- ### The Hidden Cost Considerations of Data Center Ownership - Published: 2022-10-13 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-hidden-cost-considerations-of-data-center-ownership/ Not only is data center ownership an expensive endeavor, but it can also come with a fair few hidden costs that you might not have factored into your calculations. If you’re weighing up whether or not to invest in your own data center, there are several different factors to consider. Not only is data center ownership an expensive endeavor, but it can also come with a fair few hidden costs that you might not have factored into your calculations.   One of the most important things to think about when deciding whether to dive into building a data center is of course the expense. Building a data center does come with a hefty price tag, and there are some hidden costs that may well spring up along the way, even if you’ve planned the process meticulously.   In this article, we’ll take you through some of the unavoidable costs of building and maintaining your own data center, to give you the complete picture of what’s really involved.   The cost of energy  Energy is a significant cost when building and maintaining a data center, so this should be a key focus in your decision-making process. Energy costs are at an all-time high at the moment, and no one quite knows what the future might hold in terms of energy bills.   It’s not just the energy itself that you’ll need to think about, either. If you’re building your own data center, you should also be thinking carefully about how to ensure maximum energy efficiency.   In order to make sure it’s as energy efficient as possible, you would, theoretically, need your data center to be full. And unfortunately, that... --- ### What is Data Archiving? - Published: 2022-09-16 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-data-archiving/ Data archiving avoids creating a muddle of information, seeking instead to bring data together and expand the opportunities that it can provide. In today’s world, the power of data is immeasurable. Companies are now beginning to take note of the incredibly accurate insights that data can provide, and they’re doing all they can to put their data to good use. However, there’s one side to the recognition of data that remains somewhat overlooked. And that’s the importance of data archiving. Data archiving should now be a priority. It’s vital for companies to approach their data management in an organised way, but too few organizations are using data archiving to their full advantage. Instead, many are struggling with scattered data lying everywhere, from their devices and networks to a whole host of different files and systems. Data archiving avoids creating a muddle of information, seeking instead to bring data together and expand the opportunities that it can provide. Read on, and we’ll explain more about how data archiving works and why you need to know about it. What is data archiving? Data archiving is sometimes referred to as Enterprise Information Archiving (EIA). Both talk about the processes by which companies seek to archive the information they’ve collected over the years, bringing it together for a number of different reasons. Once data has been archived, it’s far easier to use that information for strategic planning and compliance requirements. Data archiving can also be beneficial in terms of cost reduction, as storage requirements are often reduced once data has been archived. Data archiving is increasingly important in the management of company records. A well managed... --- ### What Is Network Redundancy? > Explore what network redundancy is, the main types and whether there are any downsides to network redundancy. - Published: 2022-08-05 - Modified: 2025-01-09 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-network-redundancy/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Network redundancy is a high priority for any business because it aims to eliminate the risk of downtime – no matter what.   Reducing downtime is, of course, enormously beneficial for any company that relies on online systems to run the processes its work depends on. And in today’s increasingly digital world, that’s almost every company. If a small amount of downtime would have a significant impact on a company’s profitability or seriously damage the customer experience it aims to offer, then network redundancy is well worth investing in.   In this article, we’ll explain what network redundancy is and why it matters. Read on for all the information you need on network redundancy, along with instructions on how to reduce the risk of downtime for your own business. How Do We Define Network Redundancy? Network redundancy is defined as the process of ensuring availability in a network. This is usually managed through the addition of numerous new network devices, along with extra equipment and mediums designed to improve communication.   If a system encounters a failure at any point, whether it be down to a device in the network or a failure of a specific path, network redundancy can be used to avoid the issues that any resultant unavailability would ordinarily produce. Additional equipment can be used to keep systems available, therefore reducing the risk of any noticeable downtime. The Two Main Types of Network Redundancy There are two commonly used forms of network redundancy, both of which are... --- ### Fashion & NFTs: Which brands are the least environmentally aware? - Published: 2022-07-25 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/fashion-nfts-which-brands-are-the-least-environmentally-aware/ A scientific report estimates that on a global level 35% of the microplastics found in oceans can be traced back to textiles. This makes the fashion industry the largest source of microplastic pollution for our oceans. Not only this, but the production methods, water usage, and supply chains involved in clothing manufacturing leave a significant environmental impact. However, one thing that isn’t taken into account when it comes to fashion’s environmental impact is NFTs. In the past 18 months the majority of big fashion houses and brands including Gucci, Balmain, Burberry and even GAP - have jumped on the NFT bandwagon. Last year we found that the most popular blockchain, Ethereum - which is what is used to produce most NFTs - uses approximately 31 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity per year which is equivalent to the whole of Nigeria. A single Ethereum transaction has a carbon footprint equivalent to 140,893 Visa credit card transactions. What do we know about NFTs? An NFT is a digital asset that represents real-world objects like art, music, in- game items and videos. NFTs are part of the Ethereum blockchain so they are individual tokens with extra information stored in them. NFTs were first introduced in early May 2014 when digital artist Kevin McCoy pioneered the first NFT, ‘Quantum’ on Namecoin. 2021 is when NFTs really hotted up with celebrities and artists investing heavily in the one of a kind artworks. The environmental impact is a hefty fee to pay. We have done our own... --- ### High Availability vs Fault Tolerance > Learn about high availability vs fault tolerance as we look at the key differences between them, such as cost, complexity, and the nature of the services it provides. - Published: 2022-05-03 - Modified: 2024-03-20 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/high-availability-vs-fault-tolerance/ Whether you’re thinking about moving to a new data center, or you’re questioning whether or not to move away from your current in-house setup, you’ll likely already have a good idea of what you’re looking for.   One of the key requirements that we often hear companies asking for is of course fault tolerance. If downtime is a concern for you, then this should certainly feature highly on your list of priorities. But did you know that high availability can provide a similar level of service?   Why not take a moment to learn more about what terms like high availability and fault tolerance mean and how these options might affect the service you’re able to provide to your own customers?   In this article, we’ll divulge all you need to know about fault tolerance and high availability, so you can make the best decision for your business.   What is fault tolerance? Fault tolerance is a hugely attractive offer in any data center. In short, it means that a data center will never come up against issues that would result in service interruption, and therefore, businesses will never be held back by problems relating to their chosen data center.   For companies that rely on their online services to connect with customers and fulfill their obligations, fault tolerance is enormously important. But, of course, like all good things, it comes at a price.   We have more information on what makes a data center fault tolerant, but to summarise,... --- ### Cryptocurrency and the Impact of Twitter - Published: 2022-04-28 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cryptocurrency-and-the-impact-of-twitter/ --- ### Understanding Datacenter Cooling Tech > Explore the intricacies of data center cooling technology and dive into the latest methods and innovations used to maintain optimal temperatures in data centers. - Published: 2022-03-25 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-datacenter-cooling-tech/ Data center cooling is a hugely important issue, which is why it’s so commonly talked about amongst industry professionals. It’s no secret that datacenters use a vast amount of electricity. Therefore, they often generate incredible levels of heat. This heat must be carefully controlled, as it poses serious levels of risk to the servers, storage devices and hardware housed within the datacenter. Unfortunately, controlling the temperature of a datacenter isn’t as easy as it sounds. It can be tricky, expensive and it’ll often involve the consumption of huge amounts of energy to keep equipment housed in perfect conditions. In fact, cooling requirements are one of the key reasons why businesses tend to move to colocation datacenters, as in-house cooling can become inefficient in terms of both time and money. Modern datacenters rely on a range of different cooling technologies to maintain optimal temperatures, reducing the risk of damage, data loss and downtime that can be caused by excessive heat. Read on and we’ll explain more about what datacenter cooling tech does, and why it’s so vital for growing businesses today. What is Data Center Cooling? Data center cooling refers to the various methods and technologies used to control the temperature in data centers, which are facilities that house computer systems and associated components such as telecommunications and storage systems. These cooling systems are essential for maintaining the optimal performance and longevity of the equipment, as electronic devices generate a significant amount of heat during operation. Why Does Datacenter Cooling Matter?... --- ### Bandwidth vs Latency: What's the Difference? > Discover the difference between bandwidth and latency and learn practical solutions to optimize your network for improved speed and reliability. - Published: 2022-02-21 - Modified: 2024-06-03 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/bandwidth-vs-latency-whats-the-difference/ Terms like bandwidth and latency are often thrown around in discussions about website speeds, yet relatively few of us understand what these words really mean - and why they matter so much to businesses. If you’re looking to reduce the speed of your site and improve the user experience you’re able to offer (and let’s face it - who isn’t! ), you’ll need to know about bandwidth and latency. Both bandwidth and latency have a huge bearing on your network's capabilities. Once you know what they are, how they work and why they differ, you’ll soon see why. Read on and we’ll explain more about what we mean when we talk about bandwidth and latency and why they’re so important to your website. We’re here to help explain the jargon and equip you with all the tools you need to provide an unforgettable customer experience. What Does Bandwidth Mean? Simply put, bandwidth is a term used to describe the transfer speed of data. Measured in Mbps (megabits per second) or Gbps (gigabits per second), it’s a particular rate indicating how much data can be transferred over a set period. We usually see the rate measured over a period of one second, and the result will be a certain number of megabits or gigabits, depending on how fast the data transfer is. The history of the term bandwidth is interesting. The word derives from something that was used to dictate how fast data could travel - the width of a communication... --- ### Data Center Monitoring > What is data center monitoring and what is its importance for remote workers - Published: 2022-01-18 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-monitoring/ Good data center monitoring is crucial in the efficient running of any business. When data centers are monitored effectively, companies stand to benefit in a number of different ways. However, far too many organizations remain unaware of the importance of data center monitoring, particularly when it comes to managing their remote workers. Companies that are in the dark about their IT run the risk of all kinds of problems. Remote workers are highly reliant on IT to stay connected and fulfill their responsibilities. So when IT issues crop up, these workers can quickly be left unable to complete the tasks they’re paid to do. This is just one reason why data center monitoring is imperative in today’s world, where the vast majority of companies rely on IT to complete any number of different processes. Data center monitoring helps companies steer clear of catastrophic network problems, by ensuring that team members are always in the know about their key performance metrics. Read on and we’ll reveal more about how data center monitoring can be used to empower your remote workforce. In this article, we’ll explore data center monitoring and find out why it’s so important for remote workers. We’ll discuss what it is and how it works, before moving on to the key goals of data center monitoring for those working remotely. We’ll talk through best practices for data center monitoring and introduce you to some of the tools you’ll need to make the most from your monitoring. Then, we’ll consider... --- ### Why Scalability is Essential for Enterprise Success > Network scalability is essential for enterprise success, because it allows a company to upscale, or downsize, as and when it needs to. - Published: 2021-12-22 - Modified: 2025-04-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-scalability-is-essential-for-enterprise-success/ One of the primary goals of any ambitious business owner is growth. So many of our strategies and targets revolve around achieving this dream, whether it be through increased sales, better customer retention rates or the penetration of new markets. But if a business is to truly succeed, it goes without saying that it needs to be able to facilitate growth. If the expansion of a company outstrips the infrastructure behind it, serious issues can arise. So, to avoid any problems that might hold back a potential success story, it’s vital that all companies fully consider the implications of their growth strategies, particularly where network capabilities are concerned. Network scalability is essential for enterprise success, because it allows a company to upscale, or downsize, as and when it needs to. What Does Network Scalability Mean? Network scalability is a term used to describe how adaptable a network is, and how well it might be able to respond to unexpected changes. If, for example, a business experienced a sudden boost in traffic and orders, a network would need to be able to facilitate that in order for the company to benefit from it. It’s also important that the network is fully capable of managing surges in traffic like this, as any hiccups could quickly result in disrupted service for customers, leaving them feeling frustrated and more likely to abandon their orders.   Most businesses will experience dramatic changes in traffic from time to time, and there are quite a few factors... --- ### The Importance of Power Usage Effectiveness in a Datacenter > When choosing a datacenter, you might look at its guaranteed uptime, its security, or even its customer reviews. But there’s another metric you should also consider: Power usage effectiveness (PUE). - Published: 2021-11-19 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-importance-of-power-usage-effectiveness-in-a-datacenter/ When choosing a datacenter, you might look at its guaranteed uptime, its security, or even its customer reviews. But there’s another metric you should also consider: Power usage effectiveness, or PUE. In this article, we’ll explain what PUE is, why datacenter customers should care, and what datacenter operators can do to promote better PUE. What is Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) in a Datacenter? Power usage effectiveness measures how efficiently a data center operates. Specifically, PUE measures how much of the facility’s total power usage goes to the IT equipment. We’ll call this the IT Power Needs; it comprises the energy used in: Storing, processing, routing, and managing data. Running servers, networks, and other computing peripherals/equipment. Onsite equipment (e. g. monitoring and administrative workstations, etc. ) Heating, cooling, and environmental control systems. Why does this metric matter? Because datacenters consume a lot of energy. Not only do the servers, devices, and peripherals require power, they also require specific temperature and humidity conditions – and cooling systems. It all adds up into one very resource-intensive system with a hefty electricity bill. By maintaining a good PUE rating, datacenter operators show how efficiently they’re managing their building and equipment. How is PUE Calculated? Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) is a widely used metric to measure the energy efficiency of a data center. It is calculated by dividing the total amount of power entering a data center by the power used by the computing equipment within it. The formula for PUE is given as: PUE=Total... --- ### What Is Hyperconvergence? > Hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) is a software-defined IT infrastructure that virtualizes all of the elements of conventional ‘hardware-defined’ systems. - Published: 2021-10-20 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-hyperconvergence/ Businesses today are constantly looking for ways to improve efficiency while saving money – which, if you think about it, is quite an ask. Usually, it takes money to improve efficiency. In IT, this “spend money now to save money later” approach often means looking at new ways of accomplishing existing processes. One of these is hyperconvergence. What is hyperconvergence? We’ll define it in detail in a moment, but for now we’ll describe it simply as a way of combining and managing the different facets of an IT infrastructure. The goal of hyperconvergence (or hyperconverged infrastructure) is to simplify data center complexity. In turn, this simplifies management and, in theory, saves money. In this article, we’ll look at the full definition of hyperconvergence and compare it to converged and traditional IT infrastructures. Then we’ll look at the benefits and drawbacks of using a hyperconverged infrastructure. Finally, we’ll consider the use cases for hyperconvergence.   Defining Hyperconvergence (and Other Terms) In the introduction, we used a very high-level, simplified explanation of hyperconvergence. Let’s look at a more technical definition, courtesy of Wikipedia: “Hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) is a software-defined IT infrastructure that virtualizes all of the elements of conventional ‘hardware-defined’ systems. HCI includes, at a minimum, virtualized computing, software-defined storage, and virtualized networking. HCI typically runs on commercial off-the-shelf servers. In HCI both the storage area network and the underlying storage abstractions are implemented virtually in software rather than physically in hardware. Management of all resources can be shared across all instances... --- ### The most popular NFT’s of 2021 > TRG Datacenters has analysed Google Trends data to see which NFT’s - of the ones that have sold for the most this year - have been searched for the most online worldwide. - Published: 2021-09-28 - Modified: 2025-04-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-most-popular-nfts-of-2021/ What is an NFT? A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unit of data kept within a digital ledger or blockchain (mostly held on Ethereum blockchain) that identifies a digital asset as unique and not interchangeable. This digital asset can be a painting, a video, an audio snippet, a video game collectible item, a GIF, and so on. Whilst NFTs function like cryptographic tokens, they are not mutually interchangeable like cryptocurrencies are. This means that each NFT can represent a completely different asset and have starkly alternate values. NFTs are technologically advanced and the opportunity to integrate them across use cases such as real estate, collectibles, music revolutions and gaming is being discussed regularly. However when producing a single NFT within the Ethereum platform uses 48. 14 kilowatt-hours - is it worth it? Why are NFTs so expensive? In 2021, interest in NFT’s has increased, with celebrities and artists getting on the bandwagon causing the cost of them to skyrocket. This year the most expensive NFTs of all time were sold, demonstrating serious investor appetite. Some of the famous memes that sold this year include ‘Disaster Girl’ meme sold for $473,000 and ‘Nyan Cat’ sold for $590,000. NFTs are expensive because they are one of a kind. Traditionally artwork is valuable because they were the only version available whereas digital art can be copied and reproduced with much more ease. NFTs tokenize the art so that the owner has a certificate of ownership that can be sold which confirms the asset... --- ### Will Datacenters Ever Run Out of Data Storage Space? > It’s unlikely that we’ll have to worry about a shortage of data storage anytime soon. While physical space is a constraint, the world has not maxed out its current data storage. - Published: 2021-09-21 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/will-datacenters-ever-run-out-of-data-storage-space/ “Move your files to the Cloud, where you’ll never run out of storage. ” “Sign up with Data Provider Z and we’ll give you unlimited data storage. ” Are these claims of never-ending storage realistic? We’re constantly hearing about the amount of data humans are creating. Where does it all go? Should we be worrying about datacenters running out of storage space? For humans, the concept of unlimited storage is still hard to grasp. After all, physical space is finite; even the largest library can only fit so many books. It wasn't all that long ago that storage space on our computers was a real issue. For most of us, running out of room on our smartphones and tablets is still a problem. So how can Cloud providers offer unlimited storage? What happens when the storage runs out? A Peek Inside a Cloud Datacenter In very basic terms, a datacenter it's just a collection of servers. Servers are nothing more than computers whose sole job is to store data. Very large datacenters can be the size of warehouses and contain hundreds, thousands, or even millions of servers. However, not all of the servers in a datacenter store unique data. To ensure that information is secure and available 99. 99% of the time, datacenters rely on the principle of redundancy. This means they keep multiple copies of the same information on different servers. Some of the largest Cloud service providers, such as Amazon, may maintain the same data in two different... --- ### Managed Hosting Vs Colocation: The Key Differences > If you’re wondering if managed hosting vs colocation is best for you, it helps to understand the differences, and similarities, between the two. - Published: 2021-08-27 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/managed-hosting-vs-colocation/ If you’re wondering which option between managed hosting vs colocation is best for you, it helps to understand the differences, and the similarities, between the two. The key difference is that with managed hosting, you don’t actually own the server. With colocation, however, you do own your server and you have full control over it, but it will simply be stored at a host’s data center. The different solutions are ultimately suited to the different needs and growth stages of your business. What is Managed Hosting? Managed hosting is an IT service for customers to lease dedicated hardware from providers such as Oplink or NETdepot. This a solution that includes servers, storage space and network hardware. Once managed hosting has been chosen, an operating system is provided while the service provider manages the admin, and support of the solution. Managed Hosting Features As the name may suggest, managed hosting means you are leasing your server from another company. For many businesses, managed hosting wins the debate over managed hosting vs colocation because there’s no need to manage the server yourself. Everything is managed for you - for a fee, of course. Some of the key features of managed hosting include: Server Management Managed hosting companies will manage everything for you, making it an ideal choice for companies that have limited technical ability and don’t want to have to have to manage it themselves. Affordable Start-Up Price With managed hosting, there is no need to invest in your own servers and... --- ### Considerations for Choosing a Server Cabinet > To help you choose the right server cabinet, we help you understand the different types and the pros and cons each one offers. - Published: 2021-08-20 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/considerations-for-choosing-a-server-cabinet/ Knowing how to choose a server cabinet might not be as easy as you would probably first imagine it to be. There are numerous options to choose from with variations that make it difficult to know which you should choose. To help you choose the right design for you, it helps to understand the different types and the pros and cons each one offers. We’ve created this brief guide that gives you the information you need so you know how to choose a server cabinet yourself. Or we as data center professionals would love to help you pick out your data center server cabinets, don’t hesitate to call us at 832-663-6028. We have over 20 years of experience in the data center business and we offer fully managed Houston colocation with our Colo+ product, which includes migration, rack and stack, and free remote hands on, so you never have to touch your gear again. Open Frame vs. Closed Frame Server cabinets come in two main categories: Open frame and closed frame. Each type has its pros and cons. Open Frame Rack Pros: Cost Open frame racks typically cost less than closed frame racks do, making them a more appealing option to companies working with a restricted budget. Accessibility As the name suggests, open frame racks are open. This makes it easier to access the components inside, which is more convenient for maintenance, repairs, and upgrades, etc. Air-Flow When you’re wondering how to choose a server cabinet, airflow should be one... --- ### What is a Data Center Rack? > A data center rack is a type of framework that is usually made from steel and houses your servers, cables, and other equipment. - Published: 2021-08-20 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-data-center-rack/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA "How much do server racks cost? " is a common question for many companies that would rather try and keep their costs down. When considering making such investments, it pays to consider their benefits and what might happen if you didn’t get them installed. The answer to this question is that without server racks, your equipment is more likely to become damaged, is more prone to theft, and maintenance can be more difficult than it needs to be. This might make you wonder how racks work in a data center, and this article takes a look at the answer. How Racks Work In Data Center A data center rack is a type of framework that is usually made from steel and houses your servers, cables, and other equipment. Your servers can fit neatly into the framework, helping to keep them organized and safely off the floor. A data center rack can also benefit you in other ways, including: Airflow Airflow is perhaps one of the most important aspects of how racks work in a data center. A data center rack will provide sufficient air to flow between servers and other equipment. This helps to keep the servers cool, preventing damage that might otherwise be caused by extreme temperatures, and also helps to keep the servers running at optimal speeds. Wire Organization Keeping your hardware organized neatly in a data rack will make it easier to keep wiring organized. Wires can be tidied neatly and uniformly, helping technicians to find the... --- ### 4 Characteristics of a Top Tier Data Center > Which of the data center services works best for you will depend on factors such as your budget, your needs, and the expertise available to you. - Published: 2021-08-13 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/4-characteristics-of-a-top-tier-data-center/ Which of the data center services works best for you will depend on factors such as your budget, your needs, and the expertise available to you. If you’re not familiar with data centers then you might be left wondering what to look for, and what sort of infrastructure and services you should expect from a top tier facility. Here we’ve highlighted 4 characteristics that any top tier data center should have. 1. Optimal Security One of the key considerations for any business considering using a data center is security – it’s essential that your data is safe from theft and loss. Because sensitive data can be very valuable to the wrong people, nefarious characters will gain unauthorized access to the data if they find an opportunity to do so. There’s also the possibility of data being lost accidentally through hardware damage or power outages. With these factors in mind, any top tier data center should ensure that its security systems provide as much protection as possible. For starters, it’s a good idea to check the data center’s certification for a good idea of how secure your data is, including HIPAA, ISO, and SSAE certifications. A secure data center will not only provide the latest in internet protection to keep data safe from online threats, but also physical security at the site itself. This includes using the latest security technology like biometric scanners, sophisticated surveillance systems, and motion detection systems, to name a few. Security doors and gates should also be... --- ### Rack Power Distribution & PDU Success Cookbook - Published: 2021-07-30 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/rack-power-distribution-pdu-success-cookbook/ This guide is meant to provide some simple recommendations to quickly solve at least 95% of your problems with physical infrastructure. Here is the cookbook in case you don’t want to read all the details: For Hooking Your Laptop Up In Your Cabinet: (Power Adaptor): https://www. amazon. com/gp/product/B073JZ94QD? pf_rd_r=VEHAYA2GW2NK350MFP7A&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee (Your Best Friend In A Cabinet Setup): https://patchbox. com/setup-exe The Best PDU’s and Accessories: (The Best PDU On The Market): https://www. geistglobal. com/power-distribution-unit/NS30025L (original link now not working, try this instead) (My Favorite PDU Accessory): https://www. stayonline. com/category/i-securesleeves. asp (Every type of power cable): https://www. stayonline. com/category/c-c14-c18-data-center-cords. asp (This cage installation tool changed my life) https://www. stayonline. com/data-cable-rack/installation-tools-2725. asp If you have any single corded load: (208V): https://www. tripplite. com/3. 2-3. 8kw-single-phase-ats-metered-pdu-200-240v-8-c13-2-c19-2-c20-12ft-cord-1u-rack-mount-taa~PDUMH20HVAT (120V): https://www. tripplite. com/1. 9kw-single-phase-ats-metered-pdu-120v-16-5-15-20r-2-l5-20p-5-20p-adapters-2-12ft-cords-1u-rack-mount-taa~PDUMH20AT Accessories (208V): https://www. stayonline. com/category/c-nema-twist-locking-cords. asp Accessories (120V): https://www. stayonline. com/category/c-straight-blade-locking-cords. asp If You Have to Have 120V: https://www. geistglobal. com/power-distribution-unit/27959 https://www. stayonline. com/power-cords/iec-320-female-over-mold-inserts-8436. asp https://www. stayonline. com/power-cords/iec-320-female-over-mold-inserts-8436. asp Lets get granular. This stuff isn’t rocket science, if you spent as much time as I have exposed to the nuts and bolts of data centers, you could learn it too. The reality is most IT staff are focused on and exposed to higher value and higher level activities such as network engineering and application management, but they still are the ones that end up having to touch this stuff every now and then. Unfortunately, power systems and cabling are distinctly different disciplines than the daily focus of IT professionals. Just like anything in life,... --- ### Why We Do Colo+ - Published: 2021-07-30 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-we-do-colo/ An Introspective By Chris Hinkle, CEO Flash back to 2019. We had just signed another deal, a hard fought victory of 12-13 different data center options in town. We had, during the sales process, rolled out the red carpet for these clients and they saw the value of the “TRG Difference” in our infrastructure and operational mindset. At this point, I did not always get to meet every client before their move in, so I would always try to drop by at some point and introduce myself and make sure everything is going smoothly. What I saw both amazed and terrified me. The CIO was there with a team of 6 people, leading the charge. The move went off over-all as smoothly as you can ask, with plenty of sweat and a hard fought weekend. There were definitely some things left on the table in terms of how the setup was done that accomplished day 1 requirements, but would pester them for years to come. Now this was one of the better situations. I have also seen plenty of complete failures. In my typical manner, coming by on the weekend, I have seen the empty looks on peoples faces, 36 hours in, running into unanticipated challenges with cabinets opened wide and cables spewing forth like something straight out of a horror movie. Setting Up Infrastructure Is Harder Than It Looks. Now, I never fail to appreciate the gusto and hard work ethic of IT professionals. Every time I see these... --- ### Disaster Decoded - Houston - Published: 2021-07-28 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-decoded-houston/ Hurricane Force Winds According to the NOAA Inland Wind Model, in the worst-case scenario category 5 hurricane our datacenter would receive wind speeds of 110-127mph. TRG is built to withstand a wind load ratio of 185mph, far meeting and exceeding our theoretical maximum.   70% of roof damage following a hurricane is due to loose HVAC equipment rolling across the membrane that can cause many small holes. TRG has zero rooftop equipment, meaning no possibility of rooftop damage. This is completed by our state-of-the-art 4-inch thick sloping roof with fully redundant leak protection.   – TRG has our Infinifuel program to continue the supply of our generators for an unlimited number of hours for the duration of any outage. Download our Texas Weather Evaluation This is the wind speed model for the worst case scenario; a category 5 hurricane at a forward motion of 24 knots otherwise known as "The Big One", which has yet to happen. Other Disasters Quantified & Conclusively Mitigated Torrential Rain / Flooding TRG is 65 miles inland from the coast, lies outside of the 500 year floodplain and is 4ft above grade. We also pride ourselves on our state-of0the-art 4-inch thick sloping roof with fully redundant leak protection. Construction (Cable Cuts) Multiple isolated entries for fiber and power. Extreme Wet bulb/Dry bulb We design to run for an unlimited number of hours for the duration of any outage on the hottest and coldest day of the year even under a fault condition while fully loaded.... --- ### Should a Server be Relocated? > If you’ve got a big office move planned, you’ll likely need to relocate your server. This might sound like a relatively simple task, but in reality, it can be far more difficult than most people imagine - Published: 2021-07-20 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/should-a-server-be-relocated/ If you’ve got a big office move planned, you’ll likely need to relocate your server. This might sound like a relatively simple task, but in reality, it can be far more difficult than most people imagine. There’s a lot to consider when it comes to moving a server, and there’s a lot that can go wrong too. Whether your server is simply moving to another room in the same building, or it’s traveling much further to a brand new HQ or a data center, you’ll need to take care over the move and plan accordingly. IT professionals usually have the required expertise to move a server without any issues, but if the task is more complex it’s sometimes worth hiring specialists to manage the entire process for you. Here are just a few things you’ll need to consider before you decide how to move your server. Planning your server relocation Like any complex IT task, the job of moving a server should be planned in as much detail as possible. There are many factors that you’ll need to take into account before you begin the process, so take a step back and formulate a bulletproof plan with the help of your team. The first step of the planning process will be deciding how long you think the move might take, and how you’ll support your teams while the move is underway. If you’re using a moving company, ask their advice and find out what their expectations are for the move... --- ### What Does a Data Center Technician Do? > Learn what a datacenter technician does, what skills are required to be one and unknown facts about technicians you may not know. - Published: 2021-07-20 - Modified: 2025-04-27 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-does-a-data-center-technician-do/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Data centers like ours rely on the skill and expertise of a team of professionals, all of whom have dedicated their careers to perfecting their craft. Amongst our team, we have several Data Center Technicians, who are responsible for keeping services running smoothly for all of our customers.   Many of our customers rely on the quick response times and helpful advice of our Data Center Technicians, but we bet only a handful really understand what it is that a Data Center Technician does! So, we’ve asked a member of our technician team to reveal more about what goes on behind the scenes. If you’re interested in learning more about the role of a Data Center installer, read on.   What is a data center technician?   A Data Center Technician has one primary responsibility: to support the data center.   How does this happen? Data center roles and responsibilities are customer-based, which means solving customer issues as effectively as possible. As TRG Data Center Technician Anthony explains; “when a customer sends us a ticket, we’ll make sure we see it all the way through and that the customer is satisfied”.   As a by-product of this, a technician’s work covers a lot of areas but often includes; working with individual servers and hardware equipment, maintaining infrastructure, and managing backups as and when required. Alongside these common responsibilities are other jobs that must be completed by Data Center Technicians, such as upgrading security features and ensuring all maintenance tasks have... --- ### Data Center Relocation or Migration: Your Checklist > Take a look at our data center relocation checklist to get started, and you’ll soon have all the information you need to start exploring the options of relocation or migration. - Published: 2021-07-19 - Modified: 2025-04-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-relocation-or-migration-your-checklist/ The huge rise in the amount of data that companies are now having to store has led to an upsurge in the number of businesses needing to relocate or migrate data centers. Often, by migrating or relocating, a business can access a future-proof solution for its data storage needs, while also benefiting from enhanced security and even potential cost savings. However, there can be a significant amount of work involved in relocating a data center - and it doesn’t come without an element of risk. One quick way to by-pass some of the headaches of relocation is to use a third party. TRG offers managed migration services through Colo+, allowing you to dropship all of your gear (or have us collect) and then rest easy while the team takes care of migrating it to the new location. If you choose to take on the move yourself, below is a comprehensive guide on what you need to think about. Review your insurance and warranties Before you embark on the big move, it’s always a good idea to review your current equipment manufacturer warranties and make sure that the coverage you have will be sufficient. Commercial liability insurance is a must-have here. Most policies won’t cover injury or damage caused during transit, particularly if you are driving or transporting equipment yourself, so make sure you have the right coverage for when you actually move the gear. If there are any limitations on the coverage, you’ll need to know about these now. Then,... --- ### How Secure is Your Data Center? > Find out more about the factors to ensure your datacenter is secure. - Published: 2021-07-16 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-secure-is-your-data-center/ Businesses tend to have a lot of data on their customers, as well as other details they would rather not let other people have access to. Such information can be very valuable to other people and there’s a lot of nefarious characters out there that will try and gain access to this data for their own benefit. Cost of Data Exposure If data is lost then it can very costly to a business in numerous ways, including: Reputational Losing customers’ personal details can be devastating for a company’s reputation. People will be less willing to do business with the company in the future, especially if it means giving them personal details. Financial Data breaches can cause a lot of down time and significant losses in revenue. A loss of trust will mean a lot of the company’s customers will take their business to a competitor. Legal Companies are legally obliged to keep data stored in a safe place, including ISO 27001: 2013, GDPR, SAE 18, HIPAA, and PCI DSS. Failure to comply with regulations can result in severe legal repercussions for a company. Video Monitoring Your data center should have advanced Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems that provide full visibility of the premises inside and out. All video should be recorded so it can be played back at a later date if a security breach is suspected. Modern CCTV systems can make sure nothing is missed if doors are opened on the premises by automatically ensuring the cameras are focused on... --- ### Best Practices for Data Center Cabling > Great data center cable management can make a huge difference to the overall performance of a business. With the complexity of systems increasing, and the demands on IT facilities growing, it’s time for companies to prioritize their data center cable management. - Published: 2021-07-13 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practices-for-data-center-cabling/ Great data center cabling can make a huge difference to the overall performance of a business. But all too often this complicated task is overlooked, with IT professionals instead turning their attention to other responsibilities. With the complexity of systems increasing, and the demands on IT facilities growing, it’s time for companies to prioritize their data center cable management. If you’d prefer to let the professionals handle it, here at TRG Datacenters we offer fully managed colocation options which include rack and stack and best-in-class cable management with our Colo+ service. Rid your systems of spaghetti cabinets and convoluted excel spreadsheets by practicing better cable management, and you might be surprised by the benefits. What Is Data Center Cabling? Before we dive into our best practices for data center management, let’s take things back to basics as we look at what data center cabling is - and what goes into doing it well. When we talk about data center cabling, we’re really talking about the physical aspect of connecting the components that go into a data center. Organization is absolutely essential here, because the structure of the cabling has a huge bearing over how well it performs when it's put to the test. Types of data center cabling A good cabling system will minimize latency and maximize performance. It’s all about ensuring that data can move seamlessly between devices, in the fastest and most efficient way possible. There are many ways to achieve this, however, and many different cables to... --- ### A Guide to Data Center Power Design and Infrastructure > Few things are as important to the running of data centers as power. Without power, no data center could support its customers’ systems, and businesses would quickly grind to a halt. Here’s everything you need to know about data center power design, in a nutshell! - Published: 2021-07-13 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/a-guide-to-data-center-power-design-and-infrastructure/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Few things are as important to the running of data centers as power. Without power, no data center could support its customers’ systems, and businesses would quickly grind to a halt. So power should of course be a key consideration when planning and organizing your systems. Of course, getting to grips with what you need to know about power design and infrastructure is no mean feat, particularly if you’re looking at more complex setups. But we’re here to help you through the process, and our experts are always on hand to answer any questions you might have. Whether you’re thinking about moving data centers, or you’d simply like to learn more about how data center power design and infrastructure works, take a look at our brief guide to the subject. Here’s everything you need to know, in a nutshell! Data center power: What is the typical infrastructure set-up? In the vast majority of cases, data centers will use the municipal electric grid as the main source of their power. The electric grid will be responsible for supplying energy, which can then be transformed on-site to ensure that it is of the optimal voltage and current for the data center’s requirements. Some data centers look to other energy sources in addition to, or instead of, the electric grid. Data centers typically have their own generators, which can be used in case of an emergency. Sometimes these generators will also supplement the power supply in the data center. Power is not delivered... --- ### Best Practice for Building and Installing Server Cabinets > Take a look at our best practice guide and you’ll soon know all there is to know about how to build and install server cabinets. - Published: 2021-05-24 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/best-practice-for-building-and-installing-server-cabinets/ The process of building a server rack can be more complicated than you might expect. So before you get started, make sure you’ve taken advice from the experts to ensure that your server rack functions as well as it possibly can. Take a look at our best practice guide and you’ll soon know all there is to know about how to build and install server cabinets. We’ll also let you in on a few common pitfalls, so you know what to avoid. Here’s everything you need to know. Think about the weight of your cabinets The weight of your server cabinets is something you’ll want to think about before you start. If a rack becomes too top heavy, you run the risk of the entire thing toppling over or collapsing. Position your heaviest equipment at the bottom to avoid problems in the future. Consider your server rack holes You’ll likely be using racks with square holes, which require cage nuts. These are really useful because they offer great flexibility, so you can take them out and replace them as and when required. However, some racks come with threaded holes. If your rack has these, you may need to think about how to strip the threads of the server rack holes before you start. Know your dimensions Server racks and rails come in a range of standard dimensions, so you’ll need to know what these are going to be before you begin your build. Make sure you’ve got a rack that’s... --- ### How to Calculate Disaster Recovery Cost > If you’re considering whether or not your business needs a disaster recovery plan, the chances are it does. Learn more about how to calculate disaster recovery pricing and who needs one. - Published: 2021-05-24 - Modified: 2025-02-18 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-cost-breakdown/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Disaster recovery should be an essential part of any good IT strategy, but all too often businesses overlook this important issue. While it’s easy to see why some companies are reluctant to invest in disaster recovery, the truth is that a great recovery plan could mean the difference between a minor IT hiccup and a complete system outage that takes weeks to recover from.   If you’re considering whether or not your business needs a disaster recovery plan, the chances are it does.  Read on to learn more about how to calculate disaster recovery pricing and who needs it.   Who needs a disaster recovery plan?   Disaster recovery was once only considered by large-scale businesses handling huge amounts of customer data. But in today’s interconnected, digital world, almost all businesses rely heavily on digital systems for everything from interacting with customers to processing orders and managing logistics.   When every aspect of a company’s IT system is running smoothly, this digitalization offers great advantages. But it also means that sometimes all it takes is a problem in one part of the system to bring the whole team to a standstill.   If your business relies on its IT systems for almost anything, you’ll need a robust disaster recovery plan. No matter how large or small your company is, a real disaster could result in huge costs for your business, and it could have a damaging effect on your reputation too.     How much do disaster recovery plans cost?... --- ### What Makes a Data Center Fault Tolerant? > A high level of fault tolerance can make a real impact in terms of the reliability of a data center, but it’s not the only thing that companies need to consider. Datacenter downtime can also be avoided by practicing fault avoidance. - Published: 2021-05-24 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-makes-a-data-center-fault-tolerant/ Data availability and uptime are now primary concerns for businesses in all industries. With increasing numbers of companies now relying on digital systems for the vast majority of their processes, the focus on data availability is becoming ever more important. As a result, we’re seeing far more conversations about how to achieve the very best levels of SLA uptime, and which processes companies should be putting in place to protect themselves from the damage that unexpected downtime could potentially cause.   Fault tolerance is one of the key talking points amongst IT professionals today, but relatively few outside of the IT sector have a good understanding of what this term really means, particularly in the context of data centers. With fault tolerance becoming increasingly important as time goes on, it’s worth taking the time to understand what is meant by the term, and how a good level of knowledge around fault tolerance could result in more reliable systems for your entire business.   What is a fault tolerant data center?   The phrase fault tolerant is often used to describe data centers. Seen as a standard of quality and a sure sign of reliability, a fault tolerant data center is one that has no single point of failure. Facilities are purpose-built to avoid such a point of failure and fully equipped with a range of technology that significantly improves the fault tolerance of the center as a whole.   A high level of fault tolerance can make a real impact... --- ### Which Cryptocurrency is the Most Environmentally Friendly? > With concern over the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies growing, increasing numbers of investors are looking for new ways to enjoy the benefits of digital currencies. - Published: 2021-05-17 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/most-environment-friendly-cryptocurrencies/ The past decade has seen cryptocurrencies rise from relatively unknown fringe currencies to headline-hitting digital assets capable of shaking up the financial industry. These currencies have recently become one of the most valuable assets on the planet, and experts predict that coming years could continue to see their usage surge. But while this is great news for investors, the rise of cryptocurrency isn’t completely without its downsides. One of the key problems of cryptocurrencies lies in the environmental impact that digital transactions have. The process of mining for bitcoin is particularly energy-intensive, due to the complex mathematical calculations that must be completed to create each and every new bitcoin. Consider this on a global scale, and you might be surprised to hear that the amount of power needed to deal in cryptocurrencies is similar to that of a small country. With concern over the environmental impact of cryptocurrencies growing, increasing numbers of investors are looking for new ways to enjoy the benefits of digital currencies in more eco-friendly ways. Of course, no two cryptocurrencies are the same - and this extends to the environmental impact of the currencies too. Here we have looked at the most environmentally-friendly cryptocurrencies available today, focusing on what experts are doing to limit the ecological damage that they might cause. What is a cryptocurrency? The term cryptocurrency was relatively unheard of 10 years ago, but it’s since become widely recognised. It refers to forms of digital or virtual currencies which are based in the art... --- ### How Can Remote Hands Increase Efficiency? > With remote hands, teams can hand over all kinds of tasks to their data center, freeing up much-needed time and ensuring reliability for all manner of complex processes. - Published: 2021-05-14 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-can-remote-hands-increase-efficiency/ Remote hands might sound like some sort of sci-fi wizardry, but cutting edge data centers are now bringing the magic of this entirely remote service to their customers. The service enables teams to manage all kinds of tasks remotely, making life easier for the businesses that use them. With remote hands, teams can hand over all kinds of tasks to their data center, freeing up much-needed time and ensuring reliability for all manner of complex processes. Read on to find out more about what remote hands is, and learn how it could increase efficiency for your business. What does remote hands mean? If you’ve ever used a data center, you may well have heard terms like remote hands, in relation to the services being offered. And while these services are widely talked about amongst data center teams and IT professionals, outside of these circles understanding of what remote hands is, and what it really means, remains relatively low. So, don’t be alarmed if you’re not well versed in the terminology, because we’re here to reveal all! Remote hands refers to a type of service that data centers provide. It’s a service which is designed to make life easier for customers, by facilitating delegation and making it easier for teams to delegate tasks as and when required. Using remote hands, in-house teams can hand over control of a range of technical tasks to their data center partners, thus quickly freeing up time that they need to focus on other, more business-critical... --- ### Explaining Server Rack Dimensions > Learn more about the dimensions of server racks, how wide they are and what you need to know about the various height recommendations. - Published: 2021-04-30 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/explaining-server-rack-dimensions/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Server racks come in a huge range of sizes, so it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the options when you first start thinking about how to build a server. However, there are a few general rules that you can use to decide on the best server rack sizes for your requirements. Start by thinking about how you plan to use your servers. Then move on to looking into the different options that are currently available. Once you know how wide, high and deep your servers and related accessories will be, you’ll be able to choose a suitable server rack that does everything you need it to do. Whether you’re thinking about ways to build the server your business needs for its grand expansion plans, or you’re looking for a more understated option to suit your home or small business needs, there are plenty of great options for you to choose from. When we think about server rack dimensions, we are focusing on three elements - width, height and depth. The following guide details out the most important considerations for each of these dimensions, providing you with the understanding you need to make the best decision for your specific rack requirements. What is a server rack? A server rack is a structure designed to hold technical equipment. This equipment can include the following: Routers Switches Hubs Servers. Server racks are used by businesses or data centers to hold multiple pieces of equipment in one area. How wide are server racks? It’s... --- ### VPLS vs MPLS: What's the Difference? > While VPLS and MPLS are similar in what they do, the ways in which they work are remarkably different. - Published: 2021-04-12 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/vpls-and-mpls-whats-the-difference/ All businesses need to send data from one place to another within their network, but few give real consideration to how this data is actually moved. In fact, for the vast majority of companies, the processes involved are never given a second thought. And this can be a costly mistake. The optimization of a company’s network is hugely important because it can have a dramatic impact on how well a company is able to serve its customers. Options such as VPLS and MPLS are integral to great optimization strategies, so if a company is to stand a chance of offering the best service it possibly can, then they really matter. If a network isn’t properly optimized, it can lead to a wide range of knock-on effects that will soon be visible to consumers and team members alike. These include congestion in traffic due to limits on bandwidth, and frustratingly slow loading speeds resulting from latency in the system. That’s why the processes being used by data centers are so important, and why the differences between VPLS and MPLS should really matter to growing businesses. IT professionals will tend to opt for either MPLS, VPLS or a combination of the two when designing a network. While these acronyms might sound remarkably similar, they’re actually quite different. Find out more about what MPLS and VPLS mean to make sure you’re using the best possible options for your company. What is MPLS? MPLS refers to multiprotocol label switching. This term describes how data... --- ### Understanding Different Types of DDoS Attacks and How To Protect Against Them > A DDoS attack is a type of cyber crime which aims to take down a server, service or network by overwhelming it with huge amounts of traffic. - Published: 2021-03-12 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/understanding-different-types-of-ddos-attacks/ Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks have plagued businesses for decades. Unfortunately, while companies strive to strengthen their security and protect their systems from the threats that these attacks pose, the criminals behind DDoS attacks are also putting their all into creating increasingly complex cyber threats that take companies unawares. The rise of DDoS attacks is a problem that all organizations need to take incredibly seriously. While the attacks that hit the headlines tend only to concern large, multinational companies, the reality is that these attacks can cause damaging and expensive periods of interruption for far smaller businesses at any time. What is a DDoS attack? A DDoS attack is a type of cyber crime which aims to take down a server, service or network by overwhelming it with huge amounts of traffic. The attack begins by flooding the target with traffic, and continues to the point that the server or network can no longer function for its users. It’s made possible with the use of a considerable number of compromised computer systems. Those orchestrating the attack will use these systems to send traffic to the target, and quickly bring down the service or network under threat. Five common DDoS attacks to be aware of DDoS attacks have evolved over the years, and there are now several different types of attack that IT professionals and business owners should be aware of. The following DDoS attacks are amongst the most common risks companies currently face. Take a look at these different styles of... --- ### What Is Data Center as a Service (DCaaS)? > Known as Data Center as a Service, or DCaaS, this hosting service enables companies of all sizes to take full advantage of the highest quality IT infrastructure, complete with all the security and support teams need. - Published: 2021-03-01 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-as-a-service-dcaas/ It’s no secret that maintaining your own private IT infrastructure can be a costly and time-consuming task. And with the latest digital innovations dramatically changing the way that many companies operate, demands on IT infrastructure are increasing by the day. Growing companies with ambitious plans for the future are now beginning to make the switch to a different way of meeting these demands, turning to specialist providers to facilitate a new way of working. Known as Data Center as a Service, or DCaaS, this hosting service enables companies of all sizes to take full advantage of the highest quality IT infrastructure, complete with all the security and support teams need. Read on to learn more about what Data Center as a Service is and you’ll soon see why so many companies are making the switch to DCaaS. What’s the difference between DCaaS and other services? Data Center as a Service works differently to other popular data center services. This option enables companies to access the full capabilities of their chosen data center, without having to physically visit the center. Choosing DCaaS is a great way of future proofing, as the services that the chosen data center provides can expand in line with a company’s growth. DCaaS enables companies to avoid both the physical and budgetary limitations of expanding private infrastructure, meaning they can grow quickly as and when they need to. For companies looking to outsource their IT requirements, DCaaS is a great option. Packages include everything that a company... --- ### Disaster Recovery Colocation: Improve Your IT System Safety > A great disaster recovery plan is vital for any business, but even more so if a company would be left unable to operate should its systems go down unexpectedly. - Published: 2021-02-12 - Modified: 2024-09-06 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/disaster-recovery-colocation/ Today’s businesses are increasingly reliant on technology. With a whole range of interconnected software, apps and communication platforms now controlling automated business processes for businesses of all sizes, technology is at the very heart of what we do. While everything is running smoothly this provides incredible opportunities for businesses looking to expand beyond what would have been possible without technical innovation. But there is, of course, a downside to our reliance on tech. When a real disaster strikes, IT teams can be left powerless – and work may quickly grind to a halt. Any interruption to service now comes at a significant cost to businesses. A survey published by Information Technology Intelligence Consulting (ITIC) estimated the cost of IT downtime at a minimum of $5,000 a minute. And many estimated the cost far higher. Of those surveyed, 44% put costs at $16,700 per server/per minute, or $1 million an hour. Thankfully there are steps that companies can take to protect themselves from the dangers posed by disasters, and their cost implications, whether they’re affected by natural events like fires and floods, or cyber attacks designed to target a company’s IT systems. A great disaster recovery plan is of course vital for any business, but even more so if a company would be left unable to operate should its systems go down unexpectedly. For many companies, colocation at a disaster recovery data center is a big part of that disaster recovery plan. Colocation’s role in disaster recovery Disaster recovery colocation is... --- ### Data Center Strategy & Its Effect on Customer Experience - Published: 2021-02-10 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-strategy/ When determining the impact of data center strategy and its effect on customer experience, it is important to consider the context. This comes down to fully understanding the expectations and resources of the business concerned. It is also absolutely vital for an organizational identity to be created and used to deliver a corporate strategy. It is equally necessary to have clear communication between the vision and strategy, data center operations and your customers because of the inevitable interdependencies created. How does a data center tie into your business strategy? It’s a place where technology gathers. Businesses are relying on technology for everyday operations - with a data center being a vital component that is rarely thought of first. This shouldn’t be the case, however. After all, a data center is really the foundation upon which your technology strategy grows. If we look at the breakdown of a typical IT organization, we see a skills gap and potential variations of workflow at the physical layer of the stack - this gap is an area that data centers mostly cover. There is a huge amount of technical work that goes into the data center and server functioning, most companies don’t have the expertise within their IT department to do this work in house. That being said, some companies do choose to take on this work in house, and when doing so, have to be aware that any time variations in workflow are created or inefficiencies introduced it prevents employees from focusing on... --- ### How Scalable is On-Prem? - Published: 2021-01-20 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-scalable-is-on-prem/ For most businesses, the advantages of housing data in a specialist data center rather than within a company’s own headquarters far outweigh the cons. While there are some disadvantages to moving data into an external data center, there are also enormous benefits to making the switch. And scalability is key to this. To succeed in business, a company needs to grow. This growth can easily be hampered, though, if an organisation’s IT systems aren’t up to the task. Whether a brand is focussing on selling fashion through ecommerce channels, planning on venturing into new food and beverage markets or aiming to branch out into completely new product lines, it needs to be sure it has a data center that’s capable of supporting its changing needs. When data is housed on-prem, this can be difficult to achieve. If you’re considering whether or not to house your data on-prem or at a specialist data center, take a look at some of the points below and start thinking about the data storage options that your business really needs. Because when it comes to scalability, the capabilities of your chosen data center are absolutely vital. On-prem data storage often lacks flexibility When businesses store data in-house, they’re limited by the amount of physical space available. What might seem like a huge amount of space for an emerging startup could soon turn into an inadequate amount of room as the company grows. The space required to house data should never be underestimated, because if an... --- ### The US’ Favorite Streaming Services - Published: 2020-12-10 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/us-favorite-streaming-services/ For consumers, the appeal of watching almost anything, anywhere, at any time and with zero interruptions, has grown to outweigh the need to pay for regular television. With the advent of streaming services, owning a TV and paying for a cable subscription is no longer the only way to watch your favorite movies and catch up on your favorite shows. Instead, it’s becoming more and more likely for a person to be subscribed to, or use someone else’s subscription to, at least one streaming platform as an alternative to TV. In other words, streaming services are taking over - and there’s certainly no shortage of choice when it comes to deciding which one to use. New streaming services are constantly being introduced to cater for every available demographic. But, with all of this choice, which platforms are proving to be the most popular across the country? The popularity of streaming services The last decade has seen a significant change in the way people consume information. Since the mid-00s, where platforms like YouTube were just starting out, there has been a gradual change in the ways people choose to watch TV. Ultimately, the streaming boom over the last 10 years has led to an increase in so-called ‘cord cutters’ - ie, people choosing to permanently move away from more traditional methods of viewing (e. g. cable or satellite TV), and onto online streaming platforms. According to a 2020 survey, 62% of respondents said either they or someone in their household was... --- ### Cost Reduction Strategies For Disaster Recovery > If you’re thinking about ways in which your company could improve its disaster recovery plans, take a look at some of our top cost reduction strategies. - Published: 2020-11-18 - Modified: 2025-02-19 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/cost-reduction-strategies-for-disaster-recovery/ A fully thought-out and well rehearsed disaster recovery plan is a vital part of any company’s insurance policy. Just like a policy that provides financial protection in the event of a break-in, flood or fire, a disaster recovery plan ensures that the business won’t suffer financially should a catastrophic event hit its IT systems. Disaster Recovery Pricing Considerations There’s so much to consider when starting to think about disaster recovery pricing. While the prices of top disaster recovery options can vary significantly, we always recommend that companies take the time to look into the different options available and assess what their organization really needs. Of course, the best disaster recovery services do come at a cost. But it’s worth thinking about what the cost of a real disaster could be should it strike without warning. For many companies, unexpected downtime can quickly cause serious business interruption. The cost of this, in terms of lost revenue, can spiral out of control in a relatively short space of time. And that’s before we even start to think about the reputational damage that a disaster can cause, and the knock on effect that this can have on a company’s potential for months and years to come. Affecting companies of all sizes, in almost any industry, IT disasters have the potential to destroy reputations, wasting many years of hard work in the blink of an eye. And that’s why disaster recovery should be seen as a priority. The best disaster recovery services are a... --- ### How to Adapt your Enterprise IT to the Remote Working Landscape > Take a look at the following ideas to make sure your colleagues are getting the most out of their home working experience. - Published: 2020-10-20 - Modified: 2025-04-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-adapt-your-enterprise-it-to-the-remote-working-landscape/ Remote working has been on the rise for several years now, thanks to the introduction of some brilliant cloud-based services and communication-focused technology. But the Spring of 2020 saw a sizeable shift towards remote working, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent social distancing measures that were introduced all over the world. In April 2020, figures released by the UK's Office for National Statistics revealed that almost half of the UK’s entire workforce was working from home. And with new restrictions being introduced frequently as we head into winter there is little doubt that this trend will continue for some time. Businesses are now having to coordinate their remote workers to ensure safe and secure ways of working from home, which offer the same levels of efficiency and cooperation that workers would normally experience in an office environment. One of the key areas that must be adapted in order to facilitate productive remote working is of course enterprise IT, and this is something IT professionals have been dedicated to since the very start of the shift towards remote working. If your teams are now working off-site and no longer relying on in-house computers for their day to day tasks, there are several ways in which you can adapt your software and systems for the new remote working landscape. Take a look at the following ideas to make sure your colleagues are getting the most out of their home working experience. Use cloud-based services to scale up quickly Cloud-based... --- ### How and Why Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Works > Software-defined networking takes network services and network hardware, and separates them. In doing so, it allows IT professionals to start designing and building their own networks. - Published: 2020-09-25 - Modified: 2025-04-13 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-and-why-software-defined-networking-sdn-works/ - Resource Categories: Colo+ CTA Software-defined networking is big news at the moment, and its prevalence is growing rapidly. Recent reports suggest that the market for software-defined networking will reach USD 32. 7 billion by 2025, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19. 0%. The soaring demand for this relatively new type of networking is being led by a surge in the data requirements of all kinds of different businesses, along with a need for increased speed at more affordable prices. And these are two factors on which software-defined networking really delivers. So what is software-defined networking, and how does it work in practice? We asked our experts for the inside scoop on how SDN works, and why it’s proving so successful for expanding businesses. What is Software-Defined Networking? Software-defined networking takes network services and network hardware, and separates them. In doing so, it allows IT professionals to start designing and building their own networks, which can be programmed according to their specific requirements and aren’t limited by the equipment they already have. The practise is an answer to several problems that businesses traditionally faced when the time came to increase their capabilities. To keep services running quickly and smoothly for users, organizations historically had to increase bandwidth. And this wasn’t always a simple step. It would usually come at a cost, and it tended to be fairly rigid. Software-defined networking has turned this process into something altogether more flexible. With software-defined networking, bandwidth can be added as required, and users never experience... --- ### Why We Do Free Remote Hands On - Published: 2020-09-06 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-free-remote-hands-on/ In late 2018 when we opened TRG, we decided to make remote hands-on and cross-connects free (see this article on why we do cross-connect connects free). Free remote hands-on was met with bewilderment, and at times skepticism. Admittedly, this thought initially emerged simply as a concession in our goal to eliminate nickel and diming our customers. Still, it has evolved into a much nobler purpose with far-reaching consequences, which we explore in-depth. What is Remote Hands? The term remote hands is one you’ll see used quite often by data center professionals. It refers to a particular service that’s offered by many good quality data centers and colocation providers. It’s worth knowing about, because it can make life a lot easier for all kinds of different businesses. Here’s how it works. Remote hands facilitates easy delegation. It does so by making it possible for data center customers to hand over technical tasks concerning their IT management and maintenance to trained professionals employed by the data center. When remote hands is in use, data center professionals are able to carry out a whole range of different tasks on behalf of customers, freeing up time for the company’s IT professionals. There’s usually a wide range of different services on offer, from the installation of equipment to checking the status of different equipment and replacing drives. Our Free Remote Hands Service We offer a non-emergency, non-SLA'd remote hands-on tier that is entirely free. This covers irregular tasks such as; routine maintenance, swapping components (power... --- ### Why We Do Free Cross Connects - Published: 2020-09-06 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/free-cross-connects/ Cross connects, which are one of the primary revenue centers for many traditional data center companies, are entirely free when you come online as a customer with us. Many wonder why we do things like this, and while this may look like a simple concession, the real reasons as to why we do this and many others don’t are much deeper. It's no secret that the growth of hyperscale and AI has flipped negotiating leverage back to data center operators for the first time in nearly 15 years. That’s not all bad, as the investment pouring into the space will create valuable infrastructure to support these applications, as well as fiber and network going to areas it did not exist before. The challenge however, is that hosting providers, network, and everyone else is getting pinched with regards to access to space, power and pricing. Growing scarcity is then allowing for holders of existing network fiber to middle without any recourse, and we see them testing the market in real time. Why We Do Free Cross Connects There are many benefits to free cross connects. The truth is, everyone benefits. More interconnectivity means better reliability. And that means that more interconnectivity and free cross connects in Dallas equals enhanced access to networks in tertiary markets. Why are we doing it? We think it’s the right thing to do, and as the great Horst Schulze said, profit is the applause you receive for providing really good service. Take a look at some... --- ### Circuit Breaker Coordination Considerations - Published: 2020-09-06 - Modified: 2021-02-26 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/breaker-coordination-considerations/ Breaker Coordination Considerations For Switching Mechanical Load In Data Centers Breaker coordination is a fundamental consideration in any electrical design. You hear stories, in poorly coordinated facilities, of a light going out in a parking lot and taking out the entire building. These types of failure mystify many, but the reality is there is usually a good explanation. DX Cooling In The Data Center Distributed redundancy in data centers offers many opportunities to reduce equipment overhead. Take, for example, a 4N/3 infrastructure. This type of design would dictate that with 15 HVAC units, you would require 20 distributed equally across the four feeds to account for a worst-case failure on the single feed. The design mentioned above also does not consider simple operational considerations such as "down for maintenance" scenarios that are persistent in a large population of CRAC units. Add an extra 1 to each of the feeds, and you quickly arrive at 24 HVAC units needed to satisfy the requirement and concept of operations for the design of your facility. The proper design represents a 60% equipment overhead – far greater than the 1. 33x overhead that a distributed redundancy architecture yields.   Each additional unit adds an extra unit, as well as the associated installation. It's no wonder that chillers represent the predominant design methodology for many data centers, large and small. The common piping allows you not to suffer from the challenge of modularity, thereby reducing the design cost. The CRAH floor units, which would carry... --- ### How Much Does a Data Center Cost - Published: 2020-09-06 - Modified: 2024-12-16 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-much-does-a-data-center-cost/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Data Center Cost: Key Considerations You can get fully equipped for as little as about $600 dollars per month to get started in a colocation. The price goes up from there, so it is important to follow these steps to make sure that you understand what you are purchasing and how much you need to purchase. Not all organizations are helpful with this process but we're here to help with a free audit! Contact us for more about this! Calibration pricing for your IT project is a crucial step. One important aspect of this is seeking a secure data center location to store your gear. For many, this may be your first time leaving your corporate office location and striking into the colocation world. To the un-initiated, it can get overwhelming quickly. Salespeople calling your cell phone, asking for you to take tours and decide between different cross connect, setup fees and network options. There’s a lot to think about, and the work can pile up quickly. Common Mistakes Over-provisioning is the fastest way to blow up your IT budget. In the data center world we speak square feet (cabinets) and kilowatts (amps). Many customers make the mistake of confusing how this business is transacted, specifically in the amps area and end up significantly overpurchasing by anywhere from 200-300%. A project that costs 400-500 may seem viable to many, while an extra home mortgage like $1,400 per month can be the make or break difference on killing a project. In... --- ### How to Build Your Own Data Center - Published: 2020-08-24 - Modified: 2024-10-14 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-build-your-own-data-center/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Perhaps you are moving to a new office, or like many others, realize that the cloud does not provide the cost, flexibility, and security that you need. Your CIO has tasked you with the directive to "On-Prem" your gear. With offerings such as Azure and AWS offering "on-prem" hybrid cloud solutions like Outpost, it is essential to be ready to deploy a small data center at the edge. A local colocation is another excellent option if you are looking for distributed connectivity. I (Chris Hinkle, CEO) have seen enough disasters, and decided once and for all to put a reference architecture out there that will empower companies to choose and understand what they need so that they can make an accurate decision. Insights on Building a Data Center The four most important insights that I have gotten from my time in building and operating data centers are listed below. The design choices I have made for this reference architecture reflect a commitment to them. The scope of this design covers all accompanying infrastructure TO the rack, which is generally MEP and ancillary systems. The design must allow for people to be successful within the environment. You cannot create an unreliable infrastructure and place the burden of expectations of reliability on your IT staff to manage it. The design should be as safe and straightforward as possible. The design should be generally fault-tolerant The design should be able to scale reasonably This guide will provide you with a singular reference architecture... --- ### 5 Easy Steps for Assessing Data Center Reliability - Published: 2020-08-19 - Modified: 2025-05-15 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/assessing-data-center-reliability/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA I know data centers. As an Accredited Tier Designer from the Uptime Institute, I have operated multiple data centers, personally designed more than 1,000,000 square feet of them, and have also sold data center colocation space to everything from SMB's to Fortune 10 organizations. After auditing more than 300 data centers and doing thousands of tours, I have found that each facility has its own unique story and circumstance. Disturbingly, most customers have no idea what they have on their hands and what their risks are. Understanding How to Assess Data Center Reliability RFPs vs Tours It is incredible to me just how many decisions get made through strenuous processes that add little insight. My favorite story of a customer was a thirty-page RFP that they submitted to me before coming on the tour. This RFP was downloaded from some data center website and had very particular, useless set of questions that gave no insight. I also had another customer describe traditional RFP processes as a pointless CYA (Cover Your Ass). If you hear a bunch of N plus this and N plus that, I want to warn you now that has little to no bearing on the overall reliability of the facility. Don't buy the obfuscation; those are terrible ways to describe reliability. It’s worth noting that the customer in question later disclosed that he had no idea what most of the RFP was talking about, and he had to google it himself. I am not saying RFP's are... --- ### How to Buy Colocation in 3 Easy Steps > With this simple step by step guide, we will show you how to find the right data center and get a good deal. - Published: 2020-08-19 - Modified: 2025-05-20 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-buy-colocation-in-3-easy-steps/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Lessons from our Houston Data Center So, it is time to get out of your IT Closet. Or perhaps you woke up from the dream that AWS sold you and realized its time to build a reliable IT infrastructure that makes both your CIO and CFO happy. By the way, before you head too far off the races buying hardware feel free to check out our favorite data center hardware and software vendors of 2020 (Coming Soon). With this simple step by step guide, we will show you how to find the right data center and get a good deal. Buying data center colocation can be daunting, but you can quickly get to a decision by following this guide. This purchasing process could probably apply to any B2B transaction, but we will look at it through the lens of buying data center colocation: A Clear Introduction (THE EMAIL) Progression With Key Milestones (THE TOUR) A Fond Farewell (THE FINAL CHANCE) We are not saying RFP's are dead, we have seen some great ones, but you need to understand what purpose they serve. Ultimately a good RFP should capture specific needs, availability of space, and commercial terms. Consulting engineers do a design review of one line documents. One good example in an RFP is clearances of doors because the customer uses over-sized cabinets. Door clearance is an essential consideration for that customer, so it is an excellent question for an RFP. A Clear Introduction When first reaching out, be clear about... --- ### Why Digital Transformation Fails > It's no secret that "Digital Transformation," the latest zeitgeist of cloud initiatives and source of new Titles at large companies has, the majority of the time, failed to achieve its objectives. - Published: 2020-08-19 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/why-digital-transformation-fails/ It's no secret that "Digital Transformation," the latest zeitgeist of cloud initiatives and source of new Titles at large companies has, the majority of the time, failed to achieve its objectives. Unfortunately, "Digital transformation" has turned into a widget instead of a leadership tool and a real opportunity, often times turning into a thinly veiled "throw everything on the cloud" initiative. IT is suffering from an identity crisis, facing a duality of roles as both janitor and business leader, with each company having its own unique culture and opinion on how IT should look. I want to share three insights that will help us understand that this "new problem" isn't so new. After all, take the word digital away, and we are back to "transformation". Common Mistakes That Lead To Digital Transformation Failure "A fast car doesn't make a good driver". Often, "digital transformation initiatives" are met with large budgets and spending activities in various forms of infrastructure, applications, and a whirlwind of activity. AWS has built its entire sales engine on this model of selling innovation. "Use AWS for the latest in machine learning," "Don't get left behind. " These tools often get applied spuriously or not used at all after considerable time and effort, and you land exactly where they want you – in their infrastructure. The central insight here is that throwing money at the problem will not solve it – Yes, there will likely be some spending involved, but we will talk about that in a... --- ### Are Mobile Devices a Threat to Your Network Security? > Mobile devices do come with an element of risk, and can leave businesses exposed to dangerous security threats if the right defences aren’t put in place. - Published: 2020-08-17 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/are-mobile-devices-a-threat-to-your-network-security/ For many of us, a mobile device is always close at hand. Having gone from a clunky, heavy piece of technology that was only just about capable of making a phone call, to a must-have gadget capable of assisting with an incredible array of daily tasks, mobile devices are everywhere. Currently there are 3. 5 billion smartphone users in the world, with the average US adult spending almost three hours per day using their smartphone. The impressive capabilities of mobile devices has made them a vital piece of equipment for a wide array of business tasks, with vast numbers of companies now making them a key part of their day to day processes. But are there risks involved in our reliance on these clever little contraptions? Well, the short answer to that is, unfortunately, yes. Mobile devices do come with an element of risk, and can leave businesses exposed to dangerous security threats if the right defences aren’t put in place. Mobile devices are more intelligent than ever before The capabilities of mobile devices are nothing short of astonishing, particularly when you pair the latest handsets with cutting edge apps and intuitive business-ready software. Today’s mobile devices can significantly enhance efficiency, freeing up time for employees and cutting costs for the entire organisation. Forward-thinking businesses are now using mobile devices to fulfil a whole host of different tasks and processes, from checking stock and placing orders to scheduling appointments and updating social media. A quarter of businesses use mobile devices... --- ### Network-Enabled Colocation and Why it Matters > In the world of constant uptime and an ever-growing IoT, it’s never been more important to think about how and where you access your data. - Published: 2020-06-18 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/network-enabled-colocation-and-why-it-matters/ In the world of constant uptime and an ever-growing IoT, it’s never been more important to think about how and where you access your data. Onsite servers and private cloud hosting have been the way businesses have been doing things for many years, but colocation is becoming the way forward. In this article, we’re going to take a look at what it is, why it matters, and the benefits it offers your business. What is colocation? Simply put, colocation is where you rent space in the data center of an external provider. They provide the infrastructure, you pass your data to it, and you have the peace of mind that everything is taken care of. So, why is it making such an impact, and why is it so important? To answer these questions, we have to take a look at each of the benefits in turn. Reducing cost Cost is one of the major factors that’s driving the shift to colocation data centers. Because you can make use of economies of scale without having to have the same level of scale within your organization, you can reduce costs immediately. That has the benefit of opening up the latest data storage infrastructure to small and medium-sized businesses who would struggle to access it before. Just what you want to see when it’s time to democratize the access to information storage. Tackling latency Latency is a key issue many businesses, solutions providers, and online services face. Even a small increase in latency... --- ### What to Consider Before Creating an Edge Strategy > In the simplest terms, edge strategy refers to an organization re-optimizing existing products or services to generate more revenue. - Published: 2020-03-23 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-to-consider-before-creating-an-edge-strategy/ In the simplest terms, edge strategy refers to an organization re-optimizing existing products or services to generate more revenue. Businesses will often look for new revenue streams in the form of new products. But in the process, they can discover that their existing products have untapped potential which can provide additional revenue – or improve their customer experience. Organizations must utilize edge computing to access this potential. The word edge refers to literal geographic distribution – computing that is performed near the source of data. Edge computing allows for more efficient data processing, which reduces bandwidth usage, minimizes latency and lowers overall costs. Edge strategy is not exclusive to physical products either. An organization may look to attain extra value through altering their role in supporting a customer’s journey to and through their core services – often referred to as ‘journey edge’. There is also ‘enterprise edge’, which refers to an assessment of innovation opportunities that are at the forefront of your core market. Question who else, besides your direct competitors, would pay your organization for what you do well. This may allow you to rent out your services to other businesses and increase your revenue. An edge strategy benefits compliance and security as well. For example, facial recognition and fingerprint data on your iPhone is stored locally on the device as opposed to the cloud. Apple has, therefore, decreased its security risks by handing the data over to its users’ devices. Implement your own edge strategy Your organization must... --- ### The True Cost of Downtime in The Event of Disaster > IT downtime can impact an organization in numerous ways, including losses in sales and damaged brand reputations. As such, it’s often difficult to calculate the actual costs incurred. - Published: 2020-03-09 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-true-cost-of-downtime-in-the-event-of-disaster/ IT is a vital component of any business. It helps streamline general practices, deliver online services and improve overall productivity. But since so many businesses rely on IT in their day-to-day operations, any prolonged period of downtime is a huge issue. IT can impact an organization in numerous ways, including losses in sales and damaged brand reputations. As such, it’s often difficult to calculate the actual costs incurred. The following article breaks down the true cost of downtime in the event of a disaster. Financial Implications One of the primary concerns for any business is related to the financial losses caused by IT downtime. It typically arises due to an immediate loss in sales, for example, an online retailer that is unable to take card payments. In other cases, a loss of revenue may be felt later down the line. According to 2019 statistics from a Statista survey, 25% of businesses reported an hourly cost of between $301,000 and $400,000. This is firstly dependent on the size of the organization. Fortune 500 companies will understandably suffer significantly more losses to revenue compared to smaller companies. Business models are also a key factor. The more your organization relies on uptime, the more you have to lose during downtime. A quick way of calculating downtime costs is to simply multiply total minutes of downtime by cost-per-minute. However, this often produces inaccurate estimates given some organizations are unsure of their exact costs-per-minute. There are also other factors to consider, such as staff costs... --- ### Should You Implement Software Defined Networking? > Software Defined Networking (SDN) has grown from strength to strength in recent times. With such advancement, it’s no wonder why SDN has become a trusted solution that is offered by many prominent vendors. - Published: 2020-02-24 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/implementing-software-defined-networking/ Software Defined Networking (SDN) has grown from strength to strength in recent times. According to research, the market is expected to grow from US$8. 8 billion in 2018 to US$28. 9 billion by 2023. With such advancement, it’s no wonder why SDN has become a trusted solution that is offered by many prominent vendors. But even with such a high rate of growth, numerous IT leaders, particularly administrators and network engineers, have to date been reluctant to implement SDN. When it comes to SMBs, the cost is one of the biggest factors. Management must balance the advantages of SDN against the time and cost of implementation. If you’re in the process of weighing up whether SDN would be ideal for your company, consider the following benefits and guidance for seamless implementation before making a final decision. Advantages Of SDN Adjusts to the peaks and valleys of network loads As the world becomes more and more reliant on the Internet, devices will increasingly take up more bandwidth, which results in network performance issues. With SDN, your business can overcome this bottleneck through a more balanced load distribution. It will mean that there is less pressure on your network during periods of high demand. Centralizes operation control SDN provides a much more efficient way of controlling network traffic and the allocation of tasks. It gives you the ability to direct your end-to-end operation from one centralized location, thus improving the overall productivity of your systems and network. Improves security When it comes... --- ### How to Prevent Zero Day Attacks > Once cybercriminals gain access to your systems via zero-day attacks, they will likely begin infecting your network. How to prevent zero day attacks? - Published: 2020-01-21 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-prevent-zero-day-attacks/ Technology is critical for success in the modern business landscape. While it delivers many significant benefits it can also pose a level of risk to business security. With every software and hardware update that organizations implement in an attempt to improve functionality, performance, and security, they unknowingly leave themselves open to a new type of attack – the zero-day attack. The following article details what a zero-day attack is and how your business can minimize the risk of falling victim to one. What is a Zero-Day Attack? A zero-day attack refers to a vulnerability within a computer’s software or hardware that is exploited by cybercriminals between the short space of time it is discovered and developers release a patch to fix the weakness. The attacks occur for two main reasons. The first is for financial gain, which is achieved by illegally accessing and selling sensitive data. The second is for notoriety, which is revered in the hacking community. Zero-day attacks can materialize on a variety of systems. This includes web browsers, operating systems, office applications and anything connected to the Internet of Things (IoT). In addition to this, they can also compromise physical devices by targeting hardware such as wireless routers. What Risks Do Zero-Day Attacks Pose? Once cybercriminals gain access to your systems via zero-day attacks, they will likely begin infecting your network. They can install malware on your company’s hardware and spread it across several devices. This leaves even more of your data open to attack and has... --- ### What is DRaaS and What are DRaaS Providers? > Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is an outsourcing model that allows an organization’s servers to be backed up by a third-party using cloud-based infrastructure. - Published: 2020-01-15 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/draas-and-draas-providers/ Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) is an outsourcing model that allows an organization’s servers to be backed up by a third-party using cloud-based infrastructure. This means that if disaster strikes, whether it’s natural or man-made, the company can instantly switch to this backup as soon as their main IT systems go offline. What is a DRaaS Provider? When disaster strikes, businesses can quickly grind to a halt. DRaaS providers aim to limit the impact of IT disasters, by getting companies back to work as quickly as possible. Third-party DRaaS providers are cloud-based, and completely separate from a company’s main IT systems. This means that they can offer a wide range of protection to dampen the impact of major IT disasters. The providers offer a selection of services, which aim to prevent data loss, protect customers’ data and limit any downtime required. Choosing a DRaaS Provider Choosing a DRaaS provider is a key part of many disaster recovery plans. It’s a big decision, which should be based on a number of different factors. Top DRaaS providers offer a good range of different disaster recovery services, with plenty of options for companies to choose from. Whether you’re running a small company and your main worry is unexpected downtime, or you’re heading up a much larger business where data protection is of paramount importance, you’ll be able to find a DRaaS provider to suit your needs. When searching for a provider, consider the following: A tailored service for your needs Great DRaaS... --- ### 5 IT Infrastructure Monitoring Tools That Make Your Job Easier - Published: 2019-12-12 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/5-it-infrastructure-monitoring-tools-that-make-your-job-easier/ IT infrastructure is not just important but crucial for many organizations, in various industries. As the role networks play in so many fields grows, so does the importance of making sure that they operate seamlessly. Having effective tools in place to monitor your network helps to not only ensure that it is running efficiently but to also flag up any issues as early as possible. Some of the main features you’ll want in an IT infrastructure monitoring tool are as follows. To monitor the availability and performance of your network. A health status feature so that you can spot any issues as early as possible. A reporting function so that you have an overview of the system and any incidents. The ability to add services and devices that you want to be monitored. An alert feature to send you notifications when a problem arises or is about to occur. With this in mind, 5 IT infrastructure monitoring tools that can make your job easier are provided below – in no particular order. 1) PRTG Network Monitor Paessler’s PRTG Network Monitor is an all-in-one tool that allows you to monitor everything in your IT infrastructure without the need for plugins or additional downloads. This is a user-friendly option and is also easy to set up. Some of the features provided by PRTG include: Comprehensive monitoring of your network Monitoring the availability, accessibility, and capacity of different servers Monitoring of all your applications Monitoring bandwidth and identifying the cause of bottlenecks Monitoring... --- ### The Cybersecurity Talent Shortage & What CEO’s Can Do - Published: 2019-11-21 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-cybersecurity-talent-shortage-what-ceos-can-do/ Cybersecurity talent is in high demand during the tech sector boom. It’s not easy to attract and retain the best brains in an era where cybercrime is escalating. This is straining confidence in business resilience. We examine this worrying trend. How great is the risk? What can a CEO do to mitigate it? CSIS Report on Cybersecurity Workforce Gap The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) researches trends in international relations, trade, technology, finance, energy and geo-strategy. It analyzed the cybersecurity workforce gap and came to these conclusions: Organizations are experiencing difficulty recruiting cybersecurity professionals to protect them against malicious forces As a consequence, they are losing $ billions annually to state-sponsored hacking groups Education has not kept up with this trend. There are therefore gaps in the U. S. cybersecurity landscape The CSIS published a paper highlighting what a CEO can do to address this shortfall. We draw on their proposals in this high-level report. The Gap is Alarming When Reduced to Numbers 82% of IT leaders in 8 countries are short on cybersecurity skills 71% believe this causes “direct ... damage to their organizations” The CyberSeek initiative reports “The U. S. faced a shortfall of almost 314,000 cybersecurity professionals as of January 2019”. The gap has thus widened by over 50% since 2015. By 2022 there may be as many as 1. 8 million cybersecurity vacancies worldwide. CSIS casts the gravity of this situation in sharp light when it reveals the U. S. has approximately 1,000 experts... --- ### Optimizing Digital Power From the Fourth Industrial Revolution - Published: 2019-11-07 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/optimizing-digital-power-from-the-fourth-industrial-revolution/ The first industrial revolution released humankind from relying on animal power to plant crops, and travel. Those mighty steam engines were a wonderful sight as they sped up production in ways our ancestors never imagined before. The fourth industrial revolution introduced technology, enabling us to blend digital, biological and physical innovation, and calculations at speeds we never achieved before. However we need to make fundamental changes to the way we handle data to benefit fully from this progress. The Shorter Steps of the Second and Third Revolutions The second and third industrial revolutions were precursors to this massive opportunity. The second brought mass production, and the third high-speed electronics. However both were linear processes in that we had to dismantle operations into individual stages before we could program them. Although these sped the processes up, the individual steps were task-specific and we could not generalize them to other operations. Therefore each activity needed its own physical or virtual production line so to speak. However, the third revolution was nonetheless a distinct step forward because we had simple robots to complete repetitive tasks. By the time the fourth arrived we were realizing that mass production was limiting our ability to be nimble and innovative on the fly. How the Fourth Industrial Revolution Shifted Up The fourth industrial revolution enabled a further change in our thinking. That’s because it provided the computing power we needed to analyze data accumulated over decades. However, we needed to make a mind shift from thinking in... --- ### How to Rate the PUE and DCIE of your Datacenter > Power usage efficiency (PUE) is the total power your data center consumes over the energy your computer equipment uses. Data center infrastructure efficiency (DCiE) is the reciprocal value expressed as a percentage. - Published: 2019-10-07 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/using-pue-and-dcie-benchmarks-to-rate-your-power-efficiency/ Power usage efficiency (PUE) is the total power your data center consumes over the energy your computer equipment uses. Data center infrastructure efficiency (DCiE) is the reciprocal value expressed as a percentage. The Uptime Institute has said the average data center has a PUE of 2. 5. The DCiE of that would be 40% which amounts to overhead power consumption. These two indicators are therefore valuable benchmarks for determining the energy efficiency of an equipment room. Let’s Take a Step Back and Put Power Usage Effectiveness and DCiE in Context We can’t do without our IT equipment and still be able to deliver our services. We also need a secure environment to protect our data, while we complete business transactions, do our R&D and keep our company growing. However, data is a growing cost factor we have to manage. Moreover, the bigger we get the more important it becomes to protect our business information. So we end up with an impressive collection of computer servers, hubs, routers, wiring patch panels, and other network equipment consuming electricity at a cost. Our data center may have started out in life as little more than a server rack in a closet using minimal power. However, since then it may have grown to become a computer room, a server room, or even a PUE data center. Our closet in the corner now has lights, climate control to regulate temperature and humidity, security, backup power, and access control. Therefore, the infrastructure may be consuming more... --- ### How to Obtain the Four Benefits of Virtualization > One of the main benefits of virtualization is the reduction of costs while maintaining their high service levels. Data virtualization is a great way to get more out of the same, or fewer resources. - Published: 2019-09-25 - Modified: 2024-09-09 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-obtain-the-four-benefits-of-virtualization/ During busy times it becomes even more important for IT managers to reduce costs while maintaining their high service levels. The benefits of virtualization include getting more out of the same of fewer resources. We apply ourselves first to unpicking the theory in the first half of this article. Then we discuss the tangible benefits of virtualization that you, as IT manager, may obtain. To help you through the heavy lifting the possibilities include: Saving money and improving user access Freeing up assets and space in the computer room Simplifying disaster recovery and lowering costs Greener info tech through less carbon A High Level Definition of Virtualization Virtualization, in computing, refers to a virtual (rather than an actual) version of something. For example, if we upload an image to Facebook from our computer we can open it from that site without knowing the new file path. Facebook uses an abstraction layer of data virtualization that secures technical information. This layer is what data scientists refer to when they speak of data virtualization. This process may occur on a computer hardware platform, a storage device, and a computer network resource. Drilling Deeper Into Virtualization Technology Data virtualization involves running a computer-generated instance of a computer system in a layer abstracted from the actual hardware. In our Facebook example we could download our image to another machine anywhere in the world. Hence we are using the social medium as ‘our cloud’ although we may not see it that way. However, a business... --- ### Six Healthcare Technology Trends and Their Impact on IT Infrastructure > Queues at medical providers will grow shorter thanks to patients using mobile and electronic technology to assess their health and self-diagnose problems. - Published: 2019-09-11 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/healthcare-technology-trends-and-it-infrastructure/ Queues at medical providers will grow shorter thanks to patients using mobile and electronic technology to assess their health and self-diagnose problems. They can then make a phone call appointment with their doctor, and discuss any treatments they require. Two tablets – one at either end – will guide their discussion as they review information from the patient’s self-diagnosis app. The medical provider’s assistant can then authorize medication for delivery by drone to the patient’s home. The Importance of Healthcare Technology Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the healthcare sector. As ideas develop and the capabilities of different wearable tech, apps and software evolves, we’re starting to see a huge upsurge in the number of healthcare businesses offering technology-enabled care. The rise of healthcare technology is beneficial for patients and healthcare companies alike. Not only does this highly specialised technology facilitate easier, faster decisions in care, it can significantly reduce the length of time taken to reach a diagnosis and make it easier for patients to access the treatments they need. There are considerable cost savings to be made, too, as healthcare businesses begin to offer patients cutting edge tech designed to reduce the time needed to provide treatments and manage conditions. As the capabilities of leading healthcare technology develop, we can expect to see technology being used more and more within the healthcare industry, to diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of different conditions. The Role of IT Infrastructure in Healthcare Technology is now becoming intertwined... --- ### Data Security, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation - Published: 2019-08-21 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-security-artificial-intelligence-and-digital-transformation/ Artificial intelligence and the fifth industrial revolution are all the rage in the media. Social sites are leading us into thinking how AI will affect us personally. However, the real future shock awaits us in business. This article touches on major strategies to consider for sliding into these changes as machine intelligence increasingly thinks faster than us. AI Is the Power to Seize Opportunity Before It Knocks Multinational professional services company Accenture published a thought piece on remaining at the leading edge of the AI wave. They approach artificial intelligence as an opportunity to do current processes differently as well as bring in completely new processes too. They praise the new movement for helping “break down silos and creating more agile and adaptive processes. AI also enables better decision making, and empowers businesses to identify and capture completely new opportunities”. Accenture suggests five avenues of thought to go down when exploring what AI could do for your business. These are intelligent customer engagement, revenue growth, healthcare, supply chain, and financial crime detection. Intelligent Customer Engagement to Personalize the Experience Modern consumers are a lot more discerning of the marketing messages they receive, especially if they suspect business is only after their money. While this may be partly true, we can soften the impact by speaking to modern consumers personally in ways that echo their interests as well-trained tuning forks do. Artificial intelligence is already streets ahead of humans in terms of drawing the essence of customer intent from big data.... --- ### The Three Foundations of Data Center Operations - Published: 2019-08-07 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/the-three-foundations-of-data-center-operations/ Data center technology is evolving rapidly to keep track of changes in its operating environment. Despite the complexity of the systems installed – or perhaps because of it – many data processing centers use less than 20% of their processing capacity with many servers ticking over unproductively. These semi-redundant devices still generate heat. This heat then unnecessarily increases cooling load. This short paper discusses three very important things to know in order to manage these energy costs. Tracking humidity, temperature and airflow Managing physical equipment change Enabling reliable delivery of energy and cooling Tracking Humidity, Temperature and Airflow Using Online Measurement Having accurate humidity, temperature and airflow data in real time is the first of three very important factors you need to know about data center operations. However, this information only becomes meaningful when we view in terms of the associated computing equipment. That’s because individual pieces have varying impacts on these dynamicsdepending on their ageing, performance characteristics, and actual loading. Hence we need a detailed inventory of what we have by location. A variety of data center management tools can provide this information. However, those programs using RFID (radio frequency identification tagging) stand out as among the most effective of these. A Short Overview of RFID Technology RFID technology uses programmable digital tags to identify individual pieces of equipment, and locate them on a virtual map using radio waves. RFID is therefore similar to barcoding in the sense it stores the parameters on a database. However, whereas barcoding uses... --- ### Improving Data Center Efficiency 3 Ways of Continuous Improvement > Improving data center efficiency is coming under increasing pressure to keep moving forward in the right direction. - Published: 2019-06-21 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/improving-data-center-efficiency-3-ways-of-continuous-improvement/ There’s increasing pressure to manage data center efficiency from an energy perspective. Using electrical equipment generates heat requiring more cooling and so the cycle flows. Moreover, the threat of global warming requires us to act responsibly. We share three practical steps for improving data center efficiency to keep moving in the right direction. The accountant will certainly be pleased if we do so. Maggie Shillington, senior research analyst at IHS Markit believes average data center power usage could reach 3,670 kilowatts by end 2019. The average cost of electricity fluctuates widely. However, no matter where you are there’s money to be saved by using it wisely. First Principles for Improving Data Center Efficiency You don’t always need to keep growing. It may be a false economy to keep adding racks and cooling to accommodate new systems. Intelligent data center management suggests three things we can do within existing infrastructure. Briefly, these things are: Monitor power usage in the system Identify and eliminate hot spots Consolidate stranded power capacity Step One: Monitoring Equipment at Device Level The quest for improving data center efficiency begins with collecting data concerning power usage at device, rack, and cabinet level. This information will enable us to improve energy efficiency by refining capacity and supply. We can take this a stage further by introducing power distribution strips (PDU’s) enabling us to do power metering in critical racks. These also help improve power quality and execute intelligent load balancing. These and other data infrastructure tools provide support... --- ### Data Center Availability: Moving from Fault Tolerance to Fault Avoidance - Published: 2019-05-21 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-availability-moving-from-fault-tolerance-to-fault-avoidance/ Tier 4 data centers host mission-critical computers and servers with backup facilities intended to keep them running independently regardless of what happens. The Uptime Institute defines the standards they must meet to achieve this. These include fully redundant cooling, power, network links, and storage. They should also have compartmentalized security zones controlled by biometric access. However, collocating in a Tier 4 data center is out of reach for most companies in terms of cost. Moreover a Tier 3 is likely to have only marginally less availability. Besides, physical infrastructure is not the only factor affecting uptime. Why the Need to Detect Equipment Failure Before It Happens The Uptime Institute’s 2017 Executive Symposium at Las Vegas featured a webinar titled ‘Beyond Fault Tolerance: Data Center Active Fault Avoidance Strategies’. This focused on how even the best data centers “can become vulnerable during highly stressful incidents”. Its CTO shared how deploying a range of increasingly cost-effective monitoring techniques could help detect equipment failures before they happen. In this way a data center moves from tolerance (a reactive stance) to active fault avoidance. A Systems Approach to Go About This Thoroughly A systems approach is a management strategy emphasizing the interactive nature and interdependence of external and internal factors in an organization, according to Business Dictionary. Consultants commonly use it to evaluate market elements which affect the profitability of a business. However, in this instance we can use it for active fault avoidance, by monitoring a data center in its totality. Here we... --- ### Should You Consider Bitcoin Mining from a Colocation Center > A decent rented bitcoin mining colocation space should be an environment with power, networks, and cooling able to island and keep operating despite what’s happening outside the walls. - Published: 2019-05-07 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/should-you-consider-bitcoin-mining-from-a-colocation-center/ Bitcoin mining colocation can be confusing for newbies, and even send them to a hardware store in search of pick and shovel. In reality, bitcoin mining is far from being a physical activity of course. To succeed, you need is a quick mind, a powerful computer and a blisteringly fast connection. And, before we forget to mention it, you need to be online at all times. Then you should be able to maximize the opportunities presented by this new form of wealth. I Am New to This. Remind Me What Bitcoin Mining Is It’s often good to refresh our minds when aligning technologies with secure data storage. Bitcoin users collectively create their own crypto currency. Although before you get too excited the opportunity is not endless. Bitcoin pioneers created the initial store of wealth by using fast computers to solve complex mathematical equations. Bitcoin servers never sleep and soon people were doing this all over the world. They achieved three things by volunteering: Their dedicated hardware helped secure the network by being part of it Each time they solved a mathematical equation this created new bitcoin In that way, they gained a personal share of the wealth they can spend Bitcoin aims to keep the value of its crypto currency high, by restricting supply and holding just enough stock. Its computers achieve this by manipulating the difficulty-rating of the complex mathematical equations. So in a sense, bitcoin mining colocation works like the diamond industry. Diamond miners work together to keep... --- ### 6 Smart Ways to Keep Your Personal Information to Yourself - Published: 2019-04-23 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/6-smart-ways-to-keep-your-personal-information-to-yourself/ An alarming number of people still fall for personal data phishing scams despite best efforts by authorities. These cyber-attacks fall into two broad categories. Firstly, some criminals launch direct attacks at us via emails. Secondly, others hack into ‘trusted sites’ where we provided personal information in good faith. Whatever the case, the money is gone the moment that they rob us. More and more companies are discovering it makes good sense to teach their people how to avoid this happening. Cautionary # 1 – Don’t Use Your Card Pin in Public Unless Unavoidable Most card fraud happens in familiar places like popular restaurants, busy gas stations, or down at the ATM. All that’s needed is a bugged camera in the ceiling to record the pin, and an opportunity to photograph both sides of the card. A criminal who does that now has everything they need to clone the card, and help themselves to our hard-earned money. Remember these rules: Never let your card out of your sight, no matter the reason Always cover your hand when you enter your pin on a POS If you spot a concealed camera nearby abort the transaction Use card-less transactions if the facility is available at the ATM If a dishonest person has access to your card, and to your pin then they have a trail that leads to all your other linked accounts. Did you know this type of fraud is common at gas stations? Entering your pin in public can be as... --- ### Backup, Business Continuity and Why You Need a Disaster Recovery Strategy > In a nutshell, you need a copy of your data backed up elsewhere, so your business can continue operating if you are unable to use the original source. - Published: 2019-04-09 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/backup-business-continuity-and-why-you-need-a-disaster-recovery-strategy/ When discussing disaster recovery with clients they often assure us they are okay ‘because they have a backup’. However, they become less confident when we ask them whether they ever fully tested it. This provides an opportunity to discuss the differences between backup, disaster recovery and business continuity we share here. In a nutshell, you need a copy of your data backed up elsewhere, so your business can continue operating if you are unable to use the original source. Why You Need a Documented Recovery Strategy However, loading it up and getting started again is not the same as copying files from a dongle onto your PC. You need a documented strategy and that’s where a business recovery plan comes in. Every business should have one of these strategies in place, and tested. Imagine for a moment you lost your email folders, customer database or other mission critical system. You could have lost the information on your accounting and enterprise resource planning databases too. The US Department of Homeland Security says roughly 40 to 60 percent of small businesses never reopen their doors following a disaster ... but you can if you have prepared. Let’s Explore Backups in More Detail The basics are simple but the implementation is not. How often should we backup and how long must we retain the information? We get clues from the Payment Card Industry PCI Security Standards Council, and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability HIPPA ACT regarding rules for safeguarding personal information. However,... --- ### Is Leasing Colocation Space a Smart Idea? Here Are 5 Good Reasons Why - Published: 2019-03-13 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/is-leasing-colocation-space-a-smart-idea-here-are-5-good-reasons-why/ Two predictions for the upcoming future. Firstly, the mechanization of basic work is going to require a huge amount of data storage during the fourth industrial revolution. Secondly, international cybercrime is going to accelerate as knowledge becomes the new center of power. These two opposing trends are forcing business in the direction of safe colocation storage hubs. Chicago-based Cision Ltd forecasts over $11 billion new investments in the industry between 2019 and 2023. We decided to skip over broader topics about why colocation makes sense because of global warming, climate change, extreme weather etc. Instead, below we narrow down on the numbers, making a solid business case for basing servers at a central point. Data may be at the heart of your business, but not many people consider the importance of data storage facilities. Below we outline some convincing reasons why leasing colo space is a smart idea. # 1: Data Center Storage Costs Less than Company Facilities If your data storage needs follow global trends, then sooner or later you are going to run out of room for storage racks. A server room cannot operate during construction, and so you are likely going to need a whole new facility. This is not a task to be undertaken lightly, according to research by Vladimir Lensu from Laurea University of Applied Sciences writing on Open Repository Theseus. Dip your toes into the table of contents. Ask yourself “why do I need to do this when colocation data storage centers are already... --- ### What Is a Permanent DoS (PDoS) Attack and Can I Stop It? > How to protect your data from a vicious PDoS attack, including what to look out for and how to address it as quickly as possible. - Published: 2019-03-01 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-permanent-dos-pdos-attack-and-can-i-stop-it/ What is a PDoS Attack? A disc operating system (DoS) attack interferes with computer hardware by slowing it, temporarily disrupting it, or shutting it down completely. We can compare this to the effect a stroke has on the deep layers of the human brain. We introduce two forms of these crimes here. The first assault is physical ‘phlashing’ that damages a hardware device to the extent it cannot be used again, and the data is lost. The second is a massive cyber-attack from a remote source that temporarily or permanently cripples the equipment. These forms of sabotage are growing in popularity among cyber criminals because they introduce the possibility of disrupting data-dependent organizations with relatively little effort. How Physical ‘Phlashing’ Attacks Work A criminal may be able to enter an insecure facility, and physically upload a corrupted basic input/output system (BIOS) from a portable device. They could also achieve the same by administering it through the general management interface. They could for example replace device firmware with modified, corrupt, or defective firmware images. Technicians call this process ‘flashing’ when done legitimately and phlashing when it’s not. These permanent disc operating system (PDoS) attacks are conducted by a person in attendance. For example, there’s a $3 USB device on the open market that a Russian hacker modified into a ‘computer killer’ in a video. This originally innocent air purifier plugs into any USB interface-enabled device. Slide it into the slot and it releases a 220-volt negative surge that wrecks critical components... --- ### How to Make Optimum Use of Your Data Colocation Center > Placing your backup servers and other equipment in the care of a colocation data center is a great way to achieve more, while paying less. - Published: 2019-02-09 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-make-optimum-use-of-your-data-colocation-center/ Placing your backup servers and other equipment in the care of a colocation data center is a great way to achieve more, while paying less. That’s because you get economies of scale by sharing mechanical equipment, physical security, and building infrastructure with other tenants. However this does not let you off the hook completely. This is because you still have to deploy your own computing equipment, and the way you go about this can inadvertently affect other users. However, you’ll be glad to know this is not rocket science. Your data center host can advise on server consolidation, general housekeeping, optimal use of air-conditioning, security policies, and the add-on services available. Step One: Consolidate and Virtualize Servers You pay according to the amount of equipment you install in a data colocation center. Most of this is servers you use to host your files and applications. Some servers have several processors to run different tasks simultaneously. However these tasks may cause software conflicts, and so administrators usually run one server per application. This conservative approach is the source of multiple business inefficiencies. You need more physical space, more racks, more servers, and more electricity to run the network and the cooling. While this may not be such an obvious issue in your own computer room, you may be surprised at the add-on cost in a colocation center. Fortunately, there’s a workaround in the form of specialist software, making it possible to partition a single server into multiple virtual machines. Each of... --- ### How Much Money Do You Need to Keep Going While Recovering From A Disaster - Published: 2019-01-30 - Modified: 2025-04-10 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-much-money-do-you-need-to-keep-going-while-recovering-from-a-disaster/ It can be a serious mistake to underfund your plans for business continuity and recovery from disasters. This is because the chances of extreme weather are rising worldwide, while many business owners are still unaware what a few hours of data downtime could cost. Taken together, loss of business income and letting down key customers could run into hundreds of thousands, even millions of dollars. Therefore it’s essential we implement a disaster recovery (DR) plan that’s tailored to our needs. There are two angles to take into account when estimating the cost. Compliance Requirements – The GDPR is rippling through American business as the fiduciary responsibilities of caring for other people’s data strike home. Business owners and directors face expensive sanctions for failing to follow through. Financial Losses – These are somewhat harder to calculate because cash flow varies according to time and season. However, there are various probability theories you could try, but this one is solid: (worst case + 4 x most likely + best case) divided by 6 Once we have quantified the financial risk of data downtime we can go forward and decide our best DR solution. The Nuts and Bolts of Determining Downtime and Compliance Costs Clearly, your chances of fiduciary failure and customer losses increase the longer you are down, and the frequency this happens. Here’s a handy source of ideas if you can’t find a starting point for calculating your downtime costs. The example values are dated but the logic is as good... --- ### Data Centers, How Do they Work in Practice? > Most people know what a data center is, but do they know how they actually work? In this article we explain the practicalities of running a data center. - Published: 2018-12-30 - Modified: 2025-04-17 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-centers-how-do-they-work-in-practice/ Some within the industry may still recall the giant IBM computer rooms of the 1970’s, with their huge tape reels winding back and forth. Some may even have heard rumors of a back-up room, although none were allowed to visit. So were these stores of information classed as data centers? No not quite, because there was no internet allowing users to access the information from remote locations. Things have improved exponentially since then. A laptop computer now has more data density than a 1970’s IBM main frame, and thanks to mobile we have virtually unlimited access to information on the internet. However, and that’s the point of data centers really, we decentralized our devices and semi lost control of our data security. It was not long before servers began appearing in businesses. These were in a secure place – typically under lock and key in a strong room or a basement. All was well until the fragility and insecurity of this approach was highlighted by extreme weather events, where a company’s entire data could be wiped out in a storm surge or a hurricane. With these experiences, companies began to realize they needed secure back-ups in remote locations. How Central Data Centers Replace Own Self-Storage For perhaps a decade US corporates were content with their own data stores of information in secure premises. However it is still possible to lose these. Cyber threats and unethical hackers are very much a real part of life these days, with that comes the... --- ### Texas Data Center Markets Are Booming > Texas data center markets, including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have become some of the most popular locations in the US. - Published: 2018-12-10 - Modified: 2025-01-28 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/texas-data-center-markets-are-booming/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA Texas data center markets, including Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio have become some of the most popular locations in the US. According to research by CBRE, the state holds the second position in terms of data center inventory – and demand here shows no sign of slowing down. Stargate to Invest $500bn in Texas Data Centers President Donald Trump put Texas at the forefront of innovation in the industry just days after his 2025 inauguration, when he announced a new investment project worth up to $500 billion.   The project, named Stargate, will begin with a $100 billion investment from OpenAI (creator of ChatGPT), Softbank and Austin-based Oracle.   Announcing Stargate at the White House, Trump said it would build “the physical and virtual infrastructure to power the next generation of AI. " It’s said that the project will create 100,000 jobs. In a joint statement, investors said: “This project will not only support the re-industrialization of the United States but also provide a strategic capability to protect the national security of America and its allies. ” There are already 10 new data centers under construction in Texas, one of which will be the size of Central Park. These new data centers, combined with existing facilities in the state, will rapidly expand data capacity to cope with the ever-rising demand for digital services.   Why Texas? There are a number of reasons why Texas is so popular amongst data center providers and their customers, and why it was front... --- ### Data Center Tiers Explained: The Role of the Uptime Institute > Learn about what data center tiers are, the different tiers, and how the Uptime Institute ensures top performance and reliability. - Published: 2018-11-29 - Modified: 2024-09-16 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/data-center-tiers-explained-the-role-of-the-uptime-institute/ A data center is a purpose-built facility housing computer systems and associated storage and telecommunication components. It should feature redundant or backup modules and own its independent infrastructure.   This includes power supply, data communications connections, environmental controls (air conditioning and fire suppression), and appropriate security devices. Modern data centers are large, industrial-size operations that may consume as much electricity as the average small town. They exist to serve their customers by storing and protecting their data.   We demystify data standards here through a detailed discussion of data center tiers. But first, we need to set the stage by exploring the broader role of colocation and cloud storage centers.   What are Data Center Tiers?   The four levels of data center tiers extend from requirements for a basic server room all the way through to a mission-critical installation such as the NASA control center.   The highest level is Tier IV. In this case, all subsystems must be fully redundant.   Moreover, the center must be able to operate independently for an indefinite period in the event of a primary power outage. Data Center Tier Levels Explained Overview  Tier 1 – Basic site infrastructure with no redundancy Tier 2 – Tier I plus redundant critical capacity components Tier 3 – Tier II plus maintainable during operation (Concurrently Maintainable) Tier 4 – Critical systems immune from any single fault or failure (Fault Tolerant)   Tier 1: Basic Capacity Tier 1 offers the most basic infrastructure with minimal data center... --- ### What Is A Colocation Data Center? - Published: 2018-11-09 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-a-colocation-data-center/ Clients lease or rent space for their data carrier equipment in colocation centers, or ‘carrier hotels’. These are becoming increasingly popular as sole / primary storage sites, in the light of increasing costs of private secure facilities. Moreover, these services help protect their clients’ information from extreme weather conditions too. Colocation centers provide zones with sufficient space, security, power, cooling and bandwidth. Clients install their own servers, storage and networking equipment in this environment, and hence remain in full control of access to their data. Typical Configurations Within Colocation Centers These ‘carrier hotels’ arrange their interiors into separate, secure zones for a wide spread of clients. They range from small companies to large enterprises. All of them are in full control of the design and use of their own equipment. A colocation center simply provides power and cooling, and takes care of management of the facility. The actual ‘hotel rooms’ come in a variety of sizes: Locking Cabinets containing server racks. A number of clients may share a common area with communal power, raised floor and climate control. Cages within a raised floor data center enclosed in wire mesh walls, with access through locking doors. Again, a number of clients may share the raised floor, power and cooling, Dedicated Suites work on a similar principle, except solid partitions enclose them. They may have their own dedicated cooling and power, or share as is the case with cages and cabinets. Purpose-engineered Modules are effectively data-centers-within-data-centers, and with own steel walls and... --- ### What is the strategy behind the location of our Houston Data Center? - Published: 2018-10-26 - Modified: 2025-06-02 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/what-is-the-strategy-behind-the-location-of-our-houston-data-center/ - Resource Categories: Colo CTA The 2017 Harvey Hurricane and Florence in 2018 taught important lessons about protecting data centers from flooding. While this is obviously important, there are other reasons why we put our Houston Data Center where we did. We are confident our retail and wholesale solutions are in a strategically safe space at 2626 Spring Cypress Road Spring TX 77388 and here are our reasons: Well-Managed Risk Factors Flooding We are outside the Houston 500 year flood plains. These are low-lying areas typically along rivers and streams with a 0. 2 percent chance of a relatively high streamflow over natural or artificial banks in any one year. Houston has experienced three such events during 2014 to 2017. Houston’s flood-prone plains are well known and defined. They are along waterways and the coastline. We sited our Houston Data Center at an elevation where a flood is statistically improbable, and we have a contingency plan for managing exceptions. Highways We are at least one mile away from any major highway thoroughfare. Throughways in urban areas cause large accumulations of water, because water cannot penetrate their surfaces and must run away. Exceptional rainfall such as occurred during Hurricane Harvey soon overcomes and even blocks drains. This can happen is a few minutes before flood warnings go out. If the rain continues, the rate of debris-laden flooding worsens. As streets dam up the water finds new direction defying topography. However the waters dissipate within a one-mile radius so we are safe. Furthermore, if there was a... --- ### Lessons to Learn: How Houston Data Centers Prevailed Over Harvey - Published: 2018-10-14 - Modified: 2024-11-11 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/lessons-to-learn-how-houston-data-centers-prevailed-over-harvey/ Extreme hurricanes, tornados, droughts, and heat waves have affected the North American mainland for as far back as records go, and perhaps even from the dawn of time. The National Centers for Environmental Information keeps a log of billion dollar weather and climate disasters. There were four severe storm events and two winter storm events in the first six months of 2018. Climatologists say the frequency is getting worse. The 2013 to 2017 annual average was 11. 6 compared to 6. 0 events between 1980 and 2017. What lessons can we learn from this? The chances are high a data center is going to take a hit several times in its lifetime, particularly if it is on the Gulf of Mexico where Hurricane Harvey struck. The storm dumped over 40 inches of rain in many places as it moved over Texas, making it the wettest and costliest tropical hurricane on record. Yet the data loss in Houston was relatively insignificant. How did city data centers prevail over Harvey? What lessons should we learn? Storm Proofing Data Centers Against Extreme Weather A data center’s immediate worst threats are power cuts, power surges, water, wind, and lightning strikes. The first two are dealt with by running grid electricity instantaneously protected via UPS with lead-acid or lithium-ion battery banks to servers, and having generators handy to maintain them on full power as backup. Waterproofing is a matter of choosing the right site, being above the 500-year flood mark, and investing money in a... --- ### How to Design a Data Center for Security and Usability - Published: 2018-09-26 - Modified: 2024-01-04 - URL: https://www.trgdatacenters.com/resource/how-to-design-a-data-center-for-security-and-usability/ Multiple levels of security can be thought of in terms of probability theory. Say for example I want to prevent my blog from a malicious attack. My first level of security is a complex password that only I know. However this defense is not perfect because brute force and other methods will eventually crack it. I place the possibility of a hack at 0. 2 because most criminal software times out before reaching this point. I decide to improve my security by adding a question. This question is what is my favorite food, and the answer is the one my brother hates most. I place the possibility of someone guessing this at 0. 3 because broccoli is notoriously unpopular. I multiply two probabilities together to obtain the chance of both events occurring simultaneously. In this case the likelihood is (0. 2 x 0. 3) = 0. 06 so acceptably low for a personal blog application. Probability theory, and the associated costs of a breach, can form the basis of all good security systems architectures, whether cyber or physical. A comprehensive IT strategy requires security of both kinds, because a data attack is not only a cyber-attack. It can also include a physical attack on hardware or in a worst case scenario, physically copying or stealing data, which is where your datacenter can come into play. An important step in designing your security strategy is determining likelihood of various attacks, and your tolerance for a breach along with the damage it... --- ---