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The ultimate data

centre A-Z guide
Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem
The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Understanding A B C D E F
Artificial Building Colocation Design Edge data Fire safety

the data centre intelligence management

system
centre

ecosystem G H I J K L
Green High- Internet of Jurisdiction Kilowatt rack Liquid cooling
certification performance Things density
Data centres are the backbone of our digital world, computing (HPC)
processing and storing the vast amounts of data
generated by the proliferation of digital services and
Internet of Things devices.
M N O P Q
As the demand for processing power surges, partially Moratoriums Nuclear power Operations Power usage Quality
driven by advancements in Artificial Intelligence, the management effectiveness systems
(PUE)
complexities of designing, building, and managing
these critical infrastructures can be overwhelming.

From explaining the fundamentals to exploring the R S T U V

latest trends, this A-Z guide offers a comprehensive Renewable Site selection Talent Uninterruptible Validation
resource for both industry veterans and newcomers energy power supply
(UPS)
to better understand the dynamic landscape of data
centre operations.

W X Y Z
Water scarcity X-connectivity Yottabyte Zoning
Click on a term to learn more, or proceed
to the next page.
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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The insatiable appetite for data from AI models, server rack uses, are skyrocketing, surpassing 100
AI-driven applications, and services is fuelling an kilowatts (kW) in some instances, to accommodate
unprecedented surge in data centre growth. the escalating power requirements.

In the Asia Pacific (APAC) region, data centre capacity New AI workloads, such as training large language
is projected to more than double from 10,500 models and running complex simulations, often
megawatts (MW) in 2023 to 24,800 MW by 2028.1 demand specialised data centre infrastructure.
Common enhancements include advanced cooling Getting data centres ready
These AI advancements are pushing the limits of for the AI boom
systems, high-density power distribution, and
traditional data centre infrastructure. Rack densities, Read article →
optimised network connectivity to handle the unique
or the amount of power the equipment within a computational demands of AI applications.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Building management
system (BMS)

Just like a conductor leads an orchestra, the BMS Some of its key functions include:
ensures every system in your data centre performs in
• Managing power quality, Heating, Ventilation, and
harmony. Think of the BMS as the heartbeat of a data
Air Conditioning (HVAC), and
centre’s operations, overseeing and controlling all
performance monitoring
mechanical and electrical systems.
• Predicting potential equipment failures to
The BMS also anticipates and addresses potential
schedule preventive maintenance, minimising
issues before they disrupt operations. By
downtime and optimising operational efficiency
orchestrating the complex infrastructure of data
centres, the BMS provides a comprehensive solution • Optimising energy consumption by adjusting
for managing and optimising operations, ensuring HVAC, lighting controls, and other systems
reliable and efficient performance. based on real-time usage patterns and
environmental conditions

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Colocation

A colocation data centre, or “colo”, is a shared facility 1. Location

where organisations can lease rack space to house Careful consideration of location can help prevent
their IT servers and other essential computing costly repercussions, including difficulties in finding
hardware for data storage. skilled talent or operational disruptions caused by
natural disasters.
However, not all colo providers can offer the same
specifications that align with your data processing 2. Power provisioning
and storage requirements. To ensure your data centre Understanding a colocation provider’s ability to
needs are met, consider the following key factors meet your current and future power and cooling
when selecting a provider: requirements is essential for your business’
long-term growth.

3. Security
Physical security is just as critical as cybersecurity in
protecting a data centre. Both must be addressed to
safeguard the facility and its network infrastructure.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for
the data centre ecosystem

4. Network access
The level of carrier-neutral telecommunications
access a colocation facility offers, including proximity
to cloud/internet exchange points, and availability
of fiber infrastructure, directly impacts the data
speeds and latency it can deliver to meet the growing
demand for bandwidth.

5. Environmental monitoring
Real-time monitoring of the facility’s operating
environment enables smoother operations, proactive
maintenance, and faster responses to outages.

6. Compliance
Partnering with a colocation provider who
understands both local regulations and global
compliance requirements is essential, especially
when entering a new market.

How to select the right

colocation data centre
View checklist →

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Data centres are typically classified into tiers based Comparing data centre tiers
on their design and operational characteristics, with Tier Expected uptime Annual downtime
Tier 1 representing the lowest level of reliability and
1 99.671% 28.8 hrs
Tier 4 the highest.
2 99.741% 22 hrs

Design The key differentiator among tiers is its uptime,

which signifies the percentage of operating hours
3
4
99.982%
99.995%
1.6 hrs
26.3 mins
in a year when the facility remains online
and operational. Source: Uptime Institute

For context, downtime in a data centre can cost a The specific uptime requirements for a data centre
large business up to US$1 million an hour for just a usually depend on the criticality of the applications
short outage.2 and data it houses.

Businesses like banks, e-commerce companies and

government organisations that provide always-
on services need high availability and minimal
downtime. These companies should opt for Tier-3 or
Tier-4 facilities to ensure the reliability and continuity
of their operations.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Edge data centre

Enterprises today are deploying data centres at the

network’s “edge”, bringing computational power
closer to where data is generated and used. This is
like having a data centre right around the corner,
reducing latency and speeding up data processing to
improve user experience.

This trend is fuelled by the proliferation of Internet

of Things (IoT) devices, which are projected to
grow 9.8% annually over the next five years, driving
demand for real-time data processing.

By 2026, this shift towards edge computing is The enduring significance

expected to propel the global edge IT market to of edge data centres
US$317 billion, more than doubling its 2020 value. Download report →

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Will data centre fires spark

tighter safety rules?

Fire safety
Read article →

Fire safety is a paramount concern in data centres. To prevent such incidents, data centre operators must
A single incident can have catastrophic consequences, prioritise fire safety not only in fire detection and
leading to data loss, equipment damage, and suppression systems, but also compartmentation of
disruptions that can cripple businesses and plant rooms to contain an incident should a fire occur.
undermine trust. Adherence to global and local standards, compliance
with country-specific regulations, and investment
Data centre fires in recent years highlight the potential
in advanced fire detection and suppression
risks associated with these critical facilities. In 2022,
systems are essential.
a blaze at a data centre in Pangyo, South Korea,
engulfed batteries used in backup power systems, Lithium-ion batteries, a common component in a data
causing a days-long outage that affected digital centre’s uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems,
services in the country.3 pose a particular risk. Proper storage, handling,
and the implementation of advanced detection
In September 2024, another major data centre fire in
and monitoring systems for battery health can help
Singapore caused significant disruptions to various
mitigate these dangers.
technology companies. The fire damaged critical
infrastructure including two battery rooms, two power
supply rooms and an equipment storage room.4
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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Green certification

As data centres grapple with growing scrutiny Common international and country-specific standards
over their energy consumption, the need for for the data centre industry
environmentally friendly operations is no longer
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
just a trend; it’s a necessity.
Design)
Green certifications, which recognise facilities A globally recognised green building rating
that excel in energy efficiency and meet rigorous system developed by the U.S. Green Building
environmental standards, are gaining traction as a Council (USGBC)
powerful tool.
• NABERS (National Australian Built Environment
Beyond the environmental benefits, green Rating System) for data centres
certifications offer a host of advantages. They can A six-star rating system developed in Australia that
enhance a data centre’s reputation as a socially provides an indication of the operational energy
responsible organisation. Green-certified data centres efficiency and environmental impact of data centres
may also command higher valuations due to their
• BCA Green Mark
increased desirability, potential for reduced operating
A green building certification scheme developed
costs, and lower carbon footprint.
by the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)
In many regions, green certifications are becoming of Singapore to evaluate the environmental
a prerequisite for obtaining permits or incentives to performance and sustainability of buildings
ensure compliance with environmental regulations. 10
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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

High-performance
computing (HPC)

Imagine the complexity of assessing financial risk or Three types of processors This trend has far-reaching implications on data
simulating drug interactions with the human body. Central Processing Units (CPUs) centres. Upgrades to existing infrastructure, such as
Such tasks require processing massive datasets and • Traditionally used for general-purpose computing improvements in power capacity or the installation of
performing complex calculations, far beyond the advanced cooling systems, may be necessary.
• Excel at sequential tasks and are well-suited for
capabilities of a single computer. That’s where HPC
traditional workloads
comes into play. Additionally, the higher workloads could exacerbate
Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) energy efficiency challenges that data centres are
HPC has undergone significant advancements • Powerful processors capable of handling numerous already grappling with in the face of increasingly
in recent years, driven primarily by the rise of AI, simultaneous calculations stringent environmental regulations.
machine learning, and cryptocurrencies.
• Ideal for AI, machine learning, and
cryptocurrency mining
At the heart of HPC are specialised processors
designed to handle complex computational Tensor Processing Units (TPUs)
tasks efficiently. • Developed specifically for machine learning
• Optimised for performing tensor operations, which
are fundamental to neural networks

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Internet of Things (IoT)

IoT devices and applications have become an integral • Healthcare: Wearable devices like fitness trackers
part of our daily lives. and smartwatches that healthcare professionals
use to monitor patient conditions
From smart homes to wearable devices, IoT
devices collect and generate vast amounts • Logistics and industrial: IoT sensors that track
of data that require robust data storage and real-time data from operations to optimise supply
processing capabilities. chain and logistics processes, enable predictive
maintenance and more
Beyond consumer applications, IoT is also a driving
force in various industries. Here are some prominent • Smart cities/buildings: IoT sensors and gadgets
examples of industrial IoT applications: that gather information on urban infrastructure,
including energy use, trash management,
• Retail: IoT devices, such as smart shelves, that
traffic flow etc
detect in-store movements, examine purchasing
trends, and provide customised product
• Autonomous vehicles: IoT devices and sensors in
recommendations
autonomous vehicles that collect and analyse real-
time data to enable self-driving capabilities

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Jurisdiction

Data sovereignty, or the jurisdiction over local data, Such regulations often mandate that data be stored
has evolved into a geopolitical reality in today’s within national borders, raising concerns about
interconnected world. data localisation and the potential impact on cross-
border data flows.
The emphasis on data sovereignty is growing as more
countries roll out regulations to safeguard national To ensure compliance and maintain business
interests, ensure data security, and protect citizens’ continuity, data centre operators must stay abreast
digital footprints. of the latest legal and regulatory developments
and comply with varying data privacy and security
For instance, Vietnam’s Cybersecurity Law mandates
standards across geographies.
that foreign service providers store user data and
maintain a local office within the country. Indonesia
has also implemented regulations requiring
electronic service operators to ensure their electronic What growing cross-border data flows
systems and data are located within the country, mean for data centres
particularly for public service providers. Read article →

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Kilowatt rack density

Average rack densities, the amount of computing A prime example is U.S. data centre company
power in a single server rack, are rising to cope with Stack Infrastructure. Their facilities are designed
the surging computational demands today. to support up to 100 kW/rack with direct-to-chip
cooling and will eventually reach 300 kW/rack using
Traditionally, rack densities averaged around 3 kW immersion cooling.
per rack but have since grown to between 15 and 20
kW and continue to increase. However, the need for To increase data processing capacity and run more
more powerful computing capabilities could push complex applications, data centre operators are
this limit well beyond 100 kW. investing in infrastructure upgrades to achieve higher
rack densities.

But this also creates challenges, particularly for

power and cooling systems, to cope with these
high-density racks.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Liquid cooling

Liquid cooling is rapidly becoming the preferred While implementation may require infrastructure
method for cooling high-performance servers changes, the benefits of liquid cooling make it an
due to its superior efficiency and ability to handle inevitable transition for the data centre industry.
soaring AI workloads.
Leading operators have introduced liquid cooling
Unlike traditional air cooling, which relies on air to in some facilities to support high-performance
dissipate heat, liquid cooling directly absorbs and workloads. Meanwhile, chip giant Nvidia is
removes heat from computer components, resulting designing its next-generation servers for liquid
in significant energy savings. cooling to effectively manage the heat generated by
their CPUs and GPUs.
For instance, a new solution by data centre company
Sustainable Metal Cloud submerges servers fitted
with Nvidia processors in a synthetic oil, reducing
energy consumption by up to 50% compared to
air cooling. Liquid-cooled systems can also be Infographic: Air vs. liquid cooling
packed tighter, freeing up valuable floor space for Explore the advantages of
additional server racks. liquid cooling →
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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Moratoriums

Moratoriums are among the slew of restrictions South Korea, for instance, has implemented stricter
that governments have implemented to curb the zoning laws to restrict data centre construction
growth of data centres and mitigate their impact on within metropolitan areas, encouraging
the environment. development in more dispersed locations to
diversify electricity usage.
Studies have shown that a single large data
centre can consume as much electricity as 50,000 Meanwhile, Taiwan has halted the approval of data
homes. Countries such as Ireland and Singapore centres exceeding 5 MW in the northern regions due
have enacted moratoriums to limit data centre to concerns over inadequate power supply.
development due to concerns about their power
consumption and strain on the electrical grid.
Even in markets without outright moratoriums, new How government initiatives
data centre developments have been constrained by are impacting data centres
other factors such as the electrical grid capacity or Read article →
tightened regulations.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Small modular reactors (SMRs) could soon to leverage American expertise to develop and
revolutionise the data centre industry. These implement advanced nuclear solutions.
advanced nuclear reactors generate heat, which is
Despite the promise of SMRs, significant challenges
then used to produce electricity.
remain. A shortage of skilled workers in nuclear
Unlike traditional nuclear power plants, SMRs design and operation is a major hurdle. Additionally,
are smaller, safer, and offer a potential source public resistance to nuclear power persists due to
of stable, high-density power with minimal concerns about nuclear waste disposal, potential
greenhouse gas emissions. accidents, and safety.
Leading technology companies, energy firms, and Building public trust and addressing these concerns
even governments are exploring SMR projects. will be crucial for widespread acceptance of SMRs as

Nuclear power
a viable power source for data centres.
For instance, Singapore has formed a strategic
nuclear cooperation pact with the United States

Power moves: How the future of the grid

will impact the next wave of data centres
Download e-book →

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Operations
management

There are three primary models of operations A comparison of data centre operations models
management, namely in-house, hybrid, and
Level of Cost implications Scalability Potential risks
outsourced. The ideal model depends on factors
control
such as the organisation’s size, budget, expertise, and
risk tolerance. In-house Highest Higher upfront costs, Can be scalable, but may High operational risks if
but lower long-term require significant not managed effectively
Generally, in-house management is well-suited costs planning and investment
for organisations with significant resources and a for rapid expansion
high degree of control, whereas those seeking cost- Outsourced Lower Lower upfront Highly scalable; Potential security risks,
effectiveness and access to specialised expertise costs and reduced providers can easily adjust vendor lock-in, and
often opt for outsourced management. A hybrid operational overhead resources to meet demand reduced control
model offers a balanced approach, allowing
organisations to maintain control over critical Hybrid Moderate Can be cost-effective, Can be scalable, as Potential challenges in
functions while outsourcing non-core activities. depending on the specific outsourcing can help coordinating in-house
functions outsourced manage peak workloads and outsourced teams

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

PUE is the primary metric, or a scorecard, used to

measure energy efficiency in data centres. A PUE
between 1.2 and 1.4 is generally considered efficient.

How PUE is calculated

Total facility energy consumption

PUE =
IT equipment energy consumption
Total facility energy consumption: Energy consumed by
lighting, power distribution units, cooling systems and other

Power usage
supporting equipment

IT equipment energy consumption: Energy consumed by servers,

effectiveness
storage systems, network equipment, and other IT hardware

One of the primary drawbacks of PUE is its focus on

(PUE) the infrastructural efficiency of the building rather

than the energy consumption at the rack level. This
limitation makes PUE less accurate in assessing the
overall energy efficiency of a data centre.

To address this, other metrics like Water Usage

Effectiveness (WUE) — the ratio between the water
usage in data centre systems and the energy
consumption of the IT equipment — have been
introduced to better measure efficiency.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Quality systems in data centres are comprehensive

frameworks and processes designed to ensure that
every aspect of a data centre — from its initial design
to daily operations — are aligned with industry
standards and customer expectations.
These systems are crucial for maintaining the highest
quality standards throughout the entire lifecycle of a
data centre. Key areas of focus include:
• Design and planning: Adherence to relevant
codes, standards, and customer requirements

• Construction: Overseeing the quality and use of

materials, equipment, and workmanship

Quality systems • Operations: Monitoring and managing daily

operations to ensure optimal performance
and service levels

• Maintenance: Implementing a maintenance

programme to prevent equipment failures and
maintain peak efficiency

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Renewable energy

Data centres, known for its energy-intensive In the longer term, nuclear power, could offer a
operations, are facing heightened scrutiny. To viable alternative for meeting the energy needs
mitigate their environmental impact, many are of data centres. However, overcoming regulatory
transitioning to cleaner energy alternatives. hurdles, safety concerns, and public perception is
essential for widespread adoption.
Solar and wind power have become particularly
attractive options due to their growing availability
and affordability. This has elevated renewable energy
access to a critical factor in data centre site selection.
To secure these renewable energy supplies, power
purchase agreements (PPAs) have emerged as
a popular strategy. For instance, a leading data
centre operator signed the APAC region’s first PPA
to secure 151 MW of renewable energy from a
wind farm project.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Site selection

The choice of location for a data centre can 3. Costs: Land acquisition and construction,
significantly impact its long-term success and operational costs, labour costs
operational efficiency. This strategic decision requires
careful consideration of multiple factors, each 4. Talent availability: Access to a skilled workforce
playing a crucial role in the overall performance and for operations and maintenance, proximity to tech
sustainability of the facility. hubs or universities for recruitment

Key factors for site selection 5. Government incentives: Tax breaks or subsidies
for data centre investments
1. Power: Availability, reliability of power supply,
redundancy options and backup power systems, 6. Environmental regulations: Compliance with
renewable energy sources local and national environmental laws, green
certifications
2. Infrastructure and connectivity: Proximity to
major network hubs and internet exchanges, 7. Safety and risk factors: Natural disaster/climate
quality of fiber optic connections, availability of Schedule a consultation
risk, political stability, cybersecurity regulations
multiple telecom providers with a JLL expert to
discuss your site
8. Scalability: Available space for expansion, selection needs →
scalability of power and connectivity infrastructure 22
The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

T
As data centres rapidly evolve, the skilled To plug the gap, many governments and data centre
professionals essential for day-to-day operations are companies have started collaborating on public-
becoming a scarce resource. By 2030, the technology private initiatives.
sector, including data centres, will face a critical

Talent shortage of 4.3 million skilled workers.5 For instance, technology giant Microsoft partnered
with the Institute of Technical Education in Singapore
The data centre talent gap is particularly pronounced to establish an academy for applied data centre skills.
in emerging markets like the Philippines, Taiwan, In the wider Southeast Asia region, the company has
and Malaysia. Given the relatively nascent state also committed to implementing AI skill initiatives
of the industry in these regions, finding qualified for up to 2.5 million people in partnership with
IT technicians and workers specialising in cloud governments, non-profit and corporate organisations.
computing and AI will be a significant challenge.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Uninterruptible power
supply (UPS)

A UPS system is a critical component of data centres, • Battery UPS: This is the most common type
acting as a bridge between the utility power grid and of UPS that uses batteries to store electrical
backup generators. energy. When the utility power fails, the
UPS switches to battery backup, providing a
When a data centre experiences a power outage or
continuous power supply.
voltage fluctuations, the UPS seamlessly switches
to backup power to prevent critical servers and
• Hydrogen fuel cell UPS: Hydrogen fuel cell UPS
storage systems from shutting down. This ensures the
systems are relatively nascent and have yet to
continuity of operations and protects valuable data.
be widely adopted, partly due to its high costs.
There are three main types of UPS systems: Using hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity,
these systems offer a longer backup time and
• Rotary UPS: These systems use rotating
lower emissions.
components (e.g. motor generators) to
transfer power into the load during power
The ideal UPS system depends on factors such as
outages and are typically used in large-scale
the required level of uptime, scalability, and backup
applications, such as industrial facilities requiring
time. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can
extended backup times.
choose the UPS that best meets your data centre’s
specific needs.
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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Validation

Data centre validation is an independent assessment A typical JLL audit focuses on 18 key control
that evaluates a facility’s infrastructure, operating elements, which are discussed in detail with the site’s
model, and internal systems to ensure they align with operations and management teams. Some common
established standards, industry best practices, and controls include:
client requirements.
• Cybersecurity
This process is crucial for guaranteeing a data centre’s Password management, system backup policies,
reliability, security, and efficiency. system/software update procedures etc
For instance, a thorough validation can help pinpoint
• Incident management
the underlying issues if a data centre is experiencing
Incident policies and procedures, escalation
problems or inform mergers and acquisition (M&A)
protocols, incident logging, incident reviews and
decisions by providing insights into a target data
actions management etc
centre’s operational model for potential buyers.
Ready to learn about the full range of
• Life cycle and asset management data centre validation controls?
Asset database management, life cycle/condition Connect with a JLL data centre expert today →
assessment, asset replacement plan etc

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Data centres are major consumers of water, poses a significant challenge in regions facing
particularly for their on-site cooling systems. This water scarcity.

Such substantial water consumption can strain local

Average water footprint of a data centre6 water resources and affect adjacent communities,
especially during periods of drought or high demand.
100 MW = 1.1 million gallons The excessive water usage of data centres has drawn
data centre of water/day
the attention of policymakers in many countries,
leading to interventions such as moratoriums on
6
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
new developments.

Water scarcity In response to these concerns, data centre operators

are actively collaborating with local water utilities,
implementing water recycling solutions, and
exploring less water-intensive cooling methods.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

X
Cross-connectivity is a key competitive advantage for Singapore, a leading data centre hub in the APAC
a data centre. region, is a prime example of strong cross-connectivity.
Its robust network infrastructure and strategic location
Imagine a data centre as a major airport hub. Cross- have made it a prime destination for global technology
connectivity refers to the runways and terminals giants and cloud providers, attracting billions in
that allow data to connect to multiple networks and investments for the country’s technical infrastructure.
service providers.
By connecting to multiple networks, data centres with
This interconnection, facilitated by a network of strong cross-connectivity can reduce latency, ensuring
undersea and land-based cables, enables seamless faster data transfer speeds for applications such as real-
data exchange and access to a wider range of services time gaming and financial transactions. This, combined
across diverse markets.

X-connectivity
with the reliability and scalability offered by such
connections, makes data centres with strong cross-
connectivity highly attractive to different industries.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Yottabyte
From gigabyte to yottabyte7

Unit Abbreviation Approximate size

Will data centre capacities ever reach a yottabyte Gigabyte GB 1,024 MB or 109 bytes
of storage? For context, the yottabyte contains an
Terabyte TB 1,024 GB or 1012 bytes
unimaginable amount of data — about 1 septillion
bytes, the equivalent of a quadrillion gigabytes (GB) Petabyte PB 1,024 TB or 1015 bytes
or a million trillion megabytes (MB). Exabyte EB 1,024 PB or 1018 bytes
Zettabyte ZB 1,024 EB or 1021 bytes
While yottabyte-scale storage is not yet a reality in
data centres, the exponential growth of big data and Yottabyte YB 1,024 ZB or 1024 bytes
the increasing demand for higher-capacity drives
suggest it’s on the horizon.
Industry experts forecast that by the mid-2030s,
the world will usher in the yottabyte era, creating
unprecedented quantities of data and workloads.

The advent of yottabyte storage presents both

significant challenges and exciting opportunities for
the data centre ecosystem.

Data centres will need to develop massive storage

infrastructure capable of accommodating this scale
of data while juggling resource constraints. To stay
competitive, they must also keep pace with emerging
technologies to efficiently handle these volumes.

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The ultimate data centre A-Z guide / Your go-to resource for the data centre ecosystem

Zoning

Zoning or clustering, which designates specific areas This zoning approach optimises resource allocation,
for data centre development, is essential for creating reducing the strain on local resources that have
optimal operating environments. It’s not just about been pre-planned and reserved for facilities within
finding a central location to put servers; it’s about the same cluster.
creating a sustainable, efficient, and community-
friendly digital ecosystem. Furthermore, the establishment of data centre
zones can stimulate the development of essential
By concentrating data centres in suitable locations, infrastructure, such as power grids and fiber optic
governments can ensure that these facilities have networks. Data centres can also be significant
ready access to adequate power, cooling, and economic drivers, creating jobs and attracting
connectivity infrastructure. investment to local areas.

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Connect with our data centre experts

Bob Tan Andrew Green

Executive Director, Senior Director, Regional Data
Capital Markets Transactions Centre Practice Lead
[email protected] [email protected]

Celina Chua Dr. Glen Duncan

Director, Data Centre Data Centre
Client Solutions Research Director, APAC
[email protected] [email protected]

Rachit Mohan
APAC Lead, Data Centre
Colocation Leasing
[email protected]

About JLL

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