NOC vs Data Center: What’s the Difference
When it comes to network and data center management, there are plenty of confusing complexities. Many things make up the IT industry, and it’s easy to mix things up. Most notably, a lot of people have trouble differentiating between a NOC and data center. While there may be some similarities between the two, they are different entities.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the NOC vs data center to define each of these things and show how they differ from one another. Hopefully, that should clear up any questions or misconceptions surrounding both of these things.
What is a Data Center?
A data center is a place where all the computer and server equipment is kept. Think of it as a giant room or a large building that’s absolutely packed full of all the necessary equipment needed to keep operations running.
The premise behind data centers is that they provide a place for data to be collected, stored, and distributed. They include racks and racks of servers, along with any spare equipment that can easily be used to replace an item that’s broken or become faulty.
Naturally, these centers contain lots of vital data and information that needs to be protected. As such, they’re usually found with high-security measures in place to prevent people from gaining unsolicited access to the area.
What is Network Operations Center – NOC?
First and foremost, NOC stands for Network Operations Center. Essentially, this is something of a control room for the data center. The two things go hand in hand with one another – you can’t have a data center without a NOC, and vice versa. Think of this as a room full of screens that let engineers monitor all of the equipment in the data center.
The individuals in charge of Network Operations Centers will have to act fast to address any issues that arise. After all, it only takes a small problem to create a massive effect in a data center and lead to the loss of information.
NOC vs Data Center: Common Misconceptions
Perhaps the biggest misconception is that the two entities are the same thing. Many people think that data centers include a team of people inside them at all times to monitor everything that’s happening. Likewise, it’s common to assume that the NOC is full of server equipment.
In reality, this is not the case. The data center services mainly as a storage base for all the equipment, while the NOC is a separate area that oversees operations.
How are NOC and Data Centers Similar?
The main similarity between the two is that they’re both integral parts of the overall computer industry. They both serve a similar purpose in that the aim is to store, distribute, and protect data as securely as possible. A data center does this by providing the equipment to keep everything on, while a NOC does it by monitoring events and keeping everything in good working order.
Additionally, both data centers and NOCs need engineers to keep the centers running effectively. Trained and experienced engineers are required in the NOC to identify any problems as soon as they arise. Then, they can relay this to engineers in the data center who can act quickly to fix the issues before they become problematic. This also allows data centers to be managed remotely.
What is the role of Network Operations Center – NOC in a data center?
It’s important to understand that the NOC is responsible for ensuring that the data center runs smoothly. It’s their job to ensure that no major issues occur in the data center and that everything continues to run as it should.
NOC vs Data Center Differences
Of course, there are some key differences between the two:
- Data centers contain vast amounts of server equipment in them. A data center can be absolutely massive and may take up multiple floors in the same building. By contrast, NOCs usually contain limited equipment as the main purpose is to view things on screens and monitor performance.
- Data centers will share and store lots of data and information across a network while a NOC doesn’t really interfere with the network at all.
- NOCs don’t have to meet any specific standards, but data centers do.
- Data centers tend to have much higher levels of security as the threat is extremely high. There’s so much sensitive information in a data center that can easily be stolen or destroyed. In comparison, there’s nothing of value, and the threat level is low in NOCs, so security measures are nowhere near as strict.
- The NOC is in charge of pointing out and deciding how to act upon any data center problems. The engineers in a data center will only act if they’ve told to – it’s not their job to look for issues.
In conclusion, data centers and NOCs are two entities that exist alongside one another. A data center is responsible for keeping server equipment and providing a physical space for data to be stored and distributed. A NOC is there to oversee the entire operation and make sure the data center runs effectively and doesn’t run into any technical glitches.
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