What is a data center?

A data center is a physical site designed to host the IT resources (servers, networks, storage) that ensure the availability of an organization's digital services. It includes:

• Cutting-edge equipment (servers, switches, routers).
• Redundant cooling and power supply infrastructures.
• Physical and logical security systems (access control, firewalls, anti-DDoS).

The primary objective is to guarantee high availability (continuous service) and protect your data against failures, intrusions or disasters.

Tier classifications: from level 1 to level 4

The Uptime Institute has defined a scale (Tier 1 to 4) to assess the redundancy and reliability of data centers:

1. Tier 1

• A single path for power and cooling.
• No major redundancy.
• May be suitable for non-critical uses.

2. Tier 2

• Redundant components on certain parts (power supply, air conditioning).
• Availability rate higher than Tier 1, but failures are still possible.

3. Tier 3

• Multiple paths for power supply and cooling, but only one active path at a time.
• Maintenance possible without interrupting activity.
• Availability rate of approximately 99.982%.

4. Tier 4

• Total redundancy, fault tolerance (N+1 or more).
• Several active paths simultaneously for power supply and air conditioning.
• Availability rate of up to 99.995%.

Other differentiation criteria

In addition to the Tier classification, each data center can meet specific standards and certifications:

• ISO 27001: Guarantees the implementation of an information security management system.
• HDS (Health Data Hosting): Involves reinforced protection measures for medical data.
• PCI-DSS: Essential for the secure management of banking transactions.

Data centers in France: a strategic asset

For reasons of latency (speed of access) and regulatory compliance (GDPR), many companies favor data centers located in France. This approach facilitates:

• Compliance with French and European laws.
• Maintaining sovereignty over data.
• Better performance for users located on national territory.

UNIVIRTUAL's Tier 4 data center: maximum security and performance

UNIVIRTUAL hosts its infrastructures in a Tier 4 data center in France, meeting the highest reliability standards:

• Total redundancy: Each critical component (power supply, air conditioning, network) is duplicated, guaranteeing uninterrupted service.
• ISO 27001 and HDS certifications: Guarantees of a rigorous security approach and optimal data confidentiality.
• 24/7 surveillance: Video surveillance systems and biometric access control to prevent any intrusion.
• Network performance: Multiple fiber optic links, network redundancy and low latency for fast access to your applications.

Discover UNIVIRTUAL's high-end infrastructure and benefit from personalized support to host your critical services in the best conditions.

Conclusion

Whether it is a Tier 1 for modest needs or an ultra-secure Tier 4, data centers play a central role in the continuity and protection of your digital activities. Certifications (ISO 27001, HDS) and location (France) are also determining factors to ensure compliance and performance.

Would you like to know more or migrate your data to a Tier 4 data center?
Click here to contact the UNIVIRTUAL teams and discover our hosting solutions designed to meet the highest security and availability requirements.