Data Center Fundamentals

by Mauricio Arregoces

Master the basics of data centers to build server farms that enhance your Web site performance Today's market demands that businesses have an Internet presence through which they can perform e-commerce and customer support, and establish a presence that can attract and increase their customer base. Underestimated hit ratios, compromised credit card records, perceived slow Web site access, or the infamous "Object Not Found" alerts make the difference between a successful online presence and one that is bound to fail. These challenges can be solved in part with the use of data center technology. Data centers switch traffic based on information at the Network, Transport, or Application layers. Content switches perform the "best server" selection process to direct users' requests for a specific service to a server in a server farm. The best server selection process takes into account both server load and availability, and the existence and consistency of the requested content. Data Center Fundamentals helps you understand the basic concepts behind the design and scaling of server farms using data center and content switching technologies. It addresses the principles and concepts needed to take on the most common challenges encountered during planning, implementing, and managing Internet and intranet IP-based server farms. An in-depth analysis of the data center technology with real-life scenarios make Data Center Fundamentals an ideal reference for understanding, planning, and designing Web hosting and e-commerce environments.

Genres: Technology

600 pages, Hardcover

First published December 4, 2003

Reviews

[John Banner · Rating 3 out of 5]

While a bit dated (6 years is a long time in the Tech World), this book does exactly what the title suggests: provides a good solid foundation for understanding and building a Data Center Network.

The book covers the ground from servers, network designs, technologies, protocols, etc. While it could certainly use an update to reflect newer technologies (it refers talks of GigE as a new technology that it just starting to catch on), most of the fundamentals haven't changed that much over the years and an intelligent person can apply the information here in a useful way