Data Center Connectivity Explained: 4 Types of Data Centers and How They Connect
Modern businesses need data centers to store and handle huge amounts of information. This is why data center connectivity is growing so fast today. In fact, Grand View Research shows that the global data center market was worth USD 383.82 billion in 2025. It is expected to reach USD 902.19 billion by 2033. These numbers will continue to grow quickly. As a result, companies need their data centers to talk to each other quickly and smoothly. They need to connect to other buildings, cloud services, and their customers. Because of this growing need, good data center connectivity and planning has become important for companies in all industries. Beyond basic setup, the quality of connections between data centers directly affects how fast apps run. It affects how well services work. As the amount of data continues to grow, businesses look for connectivity solutions that offer high speed, low delays, and complete control over their network setup. For these reasons, dark fiber has become a popular choice. It helps companies that want to build their own private networks between buildings. However, to understand how this works, we first need to explore what data center connectivity means. What is data center connectivity? Data center connectivity is how data centers connect to each other and to the internet. These connections help data move between computers and other devices. Companies use different ways to connect. For example, they use cables, wireless links, or rented network lines. Choosing the right connection helps businesses keep their systems fast and stable. How are data centers connected? Data centers connect to each other using fiber optic cables, wireless links, or rented network lines. The choice depends on their needs. Most buildings use fiber optic cables because they are fast and reliable. In many cases, companies rent lit fiber from telecom providers. With this option, the provider handles the equipment and manages the bandwidth. Another option is dark fiber. This means companies use unused fiber lines and control them fully. They can install their own equipment and upgrade the network anytime without waiting for approval. According to Grand View Research, the dark fiber market was worth USD 6.25 billion in 2024, showing strong demand for this solution. Still, choosing the right connection depends on several factors that affect data center connectivity performance. What are the 4 types of data centers? There are four main types of data centers: onsite data centers, colocation facilities, hyperscale data centers, and edge data centers. Each type supports different business needs. They also offer different options for data center connectivity. Onsite data centers These data centers are built inside a company’s own location. This means the company has full control over the systems and network. Onsite data centers are suitable for businesses with high security needs. They also work well for companies that use special or custom equipment. Colocation facilities Unlike onsite centers, colocation facilities are shared by many companies. The provider supplies power, cooling, and network access. These facilities offer strong connectivity options. They allow companies to connect easily to multiple carriers and internet exchanges. Hyperscale data centers Big tech companies use these very large data centers. They support cloud services that need a lot of power. These data centers must connect many locations together. Strong connections help them share data smoothly. Edge data centers These are smaller data centers placed close to users. They help reduce delay by handling data nearby. Because of this, they need good connections to main data centers and cloud systems. Without strong connections, they cannot work well. Knowing these types of data centers helps companies choose the best setup for their needs. Conclusion Strong data center connections are important for daily work. Today, companies need fast speed, low delay, and safe networks. Because of this, many companies choose dark fiber. In this case, ARNet provides dark fiber for companies that want their own private network. With this service, ARNet gives unused fiber lines that connect buildings and data centers. So, companies can run their systems more smoothly. Also, many companies choose ARNet because the fiber can grow as their needs grow. At the same time, it gives safe and stable connections. In the end, this setup helps companies control their network and work without problems. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
5 Simple Strategies to Set Up Dark Fiber Connectivity the Right Way (Beginner’s Guide)
The internet uses physical cables placed underground or on poles to move data between cities and countries. These cables help data centers keep websites, apps, and business systems working every day. When too many users share the same connection, the internet can become slow or unstable. This pushes companies to look for better dark fiber connectivity. To fix this issue, many businesses choose dark fiber, which means using private fiber cables instead of shared ones. With dark fiber, companies control their own speed, equipment, and access. This makes the network more stable and improves dark fiber connectivity, even for people who are new to this industry. Why is there so much dark fiber? There is a lot of dark fiber because companies built too many internet cables in the past, especially during the 1990s tech boom. At that time, it was cheaper to add extra cables while digging than to install new ones later. Today, however, new technologies like AI, cloud services, and 5G need much faster internet. As a result, businesses can use these unused cables to get private and fast connections when they need them. Does rain affect fiber internet? No, rain does not slow down fiber internet or overall dark fiber connectivity. It is because the cables use tiny flashes of light to send information, not electricity. Light travels through glass, and water can’t stop light signals the way it interferes with electric wires. However, big storms can knock down poles or break the pipes protecting the cables. That’s why building things correctly from the start is so important. It helps keep your internet working even during bad weather. Now let’s look at five simple strategies anyone can follow to set up dark fiber the right way. Strategy 1: Build two different paths Always have two separate cables going to the same place using completely different streets or paths. If a construction worker accidentally cuts one cable, your internet keeps working using the second cable, ensuring reliable dark fiber connectivity. Choose routes that never cross the same areas, document both locations with GPS, test each independently, and have a switching plan ready for emergencies. Strategy 2: Use bigger pipes than you need Cables go inside protective pipes underground, so always use pipes bigger than what you need right now. In five years you might need more cables for dark fiber connectivity, and big pipes let you add them without expensive digging. Use pipes that hold twice your current capacity, add extra empty pipes nearby, use quality plastic tubes inside for protection, and create access points every 500 feet. Strategy 3: Research the market and demand Before spending money on dark fiber, research how much internet capacity people need in your area because data centers need more speed every year. According to Grand View Research, the fiber optics industry is growing fast worldwide. Check how many data centers operate nearby, whether new businesses are moving in, what speeds companies need now versus later, and what competitors offer. Strategy 4: Test everything before going live Before customers start using your cables, test them thoroughly to find problems because a tiny crack or bend can cause outages later. Use special light-testing tools to check for breaks, measure signal strength from start to finish, test backup cables separately to ensure independence, save all results for future comparisons, and double-check connection points at both ends before launch. Finding issues early saves money on emergency repairs. Strategy 5: Keep great records Write down and map everything about your dark fiber connectivity in detail because when something breaks at 2 AM, your repair team needs to quickly find the problem. Create detailed maps showing where every cable is buried, label all equipment clearly, take photos of connection points, update records immediately after maintenance work, and share cable maps with the city so construction crews don’t accidentally dig them up. Good records mean faster fixes. Building private network infrastructure that lasts Building a private network takes more than just laying cable. You need to pay attention to physical details and plan for the long term. When you focus on diverse routes and thorough testing, you reduce tangible risks and keep service stable for your customers. These five dark fiber connectivity strategies will help your infrastructure stay dependable for decades. The right partner can make all the difference with complex infrastructure challenges. ARNet works with operators to navigate construction and implementation. We bring hands-on expertise and proven industry experience for dark fiber connectivity. If you’re ready to secure your network foundation, visit our website and let’s get started. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet
Fiber Optic Cable for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know
The modern internet, cloud services, and AI tools all depend on one main thing: the fiber optic cable. These thin glass wires run under the ocean, through cities, and underground. They quietly move almost all the data we use every day. The need for fiber is rising fast. A report from Global Market Insights says the fiber optic cable market was worth about 13 billion dollars in 2024 and may grow to around 34.5 billion dollars by 2034, rising more than 10% each year. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) also says global internet traffic will reach about 1.3 zettabytes in 2024. Home internet traffic alone is expected to reach 6 zettabytes, rising from 5.1 in 2023. This huge rise in data use is why fiber, especially dark fiber, has become so important today. What is a fiber optic cable? A fiber optic cable is a type of cable that sends data using light, not electricity. Very thin strands made of glass or plastic lie inside each cable. These strands are called fibers. Each fiber has three main parts: Compared to regular copper wires, fiber optic cable works much better because: Because of these benefits, organizations now commonly use fiber optic cable in big network systems, data centers, undersea internet lines, and 5G networks. This has helped the fiber market grow a lot. Single mode VS Multi mode fiber optic cable Not all fiber optic cables are the same. The two main kinds are single-mode and multi-mode. Each one is made for different distances and jobs. Knowing the difference helps you choose the right cable for your network. Single-mode and multi-mode cables are not built the same. They have different core sizes, can send data over different distances, and handle different amounts of bandwidth. Because of this, one type works better for long-distance links, while the other is better for shorter, local connections. Below are the details for each type: Single-mode fiber Single mode fiber has a very small core, so light travels in almost one straight path. Because of this, it can send data over very long distances, from tens to hundreds of kilometers, and it can handle very high speeds. This makes it the best choice for long distance links, metro areas, and connections between data centers. In 2024, research from Mordor Intelligence said that single mode fiber made up more than 63% of the fiber optic market, showing it is the top choice for large network backbones. Multi-mode fiber Multi mode fiber has a larger core that lets light travel in many paths at the same time. Users primarily deploy it for short-distance links inside buildings and data centers, typically spanning only a few hundred meters. Research from Precedence shows that multi mode fiber was still important in 2024, especially for short links like top of rack and other data center connections. It also held a big share in some parts of the fiber optic market. Dark fiber infrastructure and why it matters Organizations can rent unused fiber optic cables called dark fiber networks and activate them with their own equipment. Instead of buying bandwidth from a provider, they run the network themselves. This gives them more control over speed, routing, and security. They can also upgrade the network easily by changing the optical devices on each end without replacing the cables in the ground. As data use grows from cloud services, video streaming, smart devices, and AI, dark fiber is becoming more popular. It lets companies get fast, low delay connections that can grow as needed. They don’t have to stick to fixed service plans and can increase speed or add more signal channels whenever their needs change. Because of this, dark fiber is now an important resource for city networks, long distance links, and data center connections. It also makes networks stronger and more ready for the future. ARNet supports this dark fiber world by building licensed fiber networks across Southeast Asia. The company has strong experience with fiber systems and data centers. By handling everything from design and quick setup to cloud operations, ARNet helps data centers, businesses, and carriers create stable and future ready connections. This makes ARNet a trusted partner for groups planning or growing their dark fiber networks. About the Author Nabila Choirunnisa, Digital Marketing Executive at ARNet