With the explosive growth of global data and enterprises’ urgent demand for flexible and scalable IT infrastructure, traditional data centers face a series of challenges, including long deployment cycles, high capital expenditure, limited space, and complex operations.

According to IDC, global data is expected to reach 175 ZB by 2025, more than five times the volume in 2020.

Containerized data centers have become an indispensable infrastructure solution for modern enterprises’ digital transformation and business expansion. By leveraging modular and standardized designs, container data centers integrate complete data center functions into portable containers, enabling rapid deployment of computing and storage resources while achieving significant cost and time efficiencies.

Particularly in edge computing, cloud computing, and disaster recovery scenarios, container data centers demonstrate unique advantages in flexibility and scalability, becoming a key development direction for future IT infrastructure. Their rise is not only a result of technological innovation but also reflects enterprises’ demand for more efficient, flexible, and sustainable data management solutions. Compared to traditional data centers, container data centers offer clear benefits in deployment speed, space utilization, energy efficiency, scalability, and security, providing enterprises with a new strategic option.

What is a Container Data Center?

A container data center is a highly modular data center solution that integrates critical components—computing, storage, networking, power management, and cooling systems—into standardized containers. Typically, 20-foot or 40-foot containers are used as carriers, each containing a complete data center system that can operate independently or be combined with other modules.

Compared to traditional fixed data centers, container data centers can be rapidly deployed, easily scaled, and flexibly relocated. Enterprises can add new container modules as needed to achieve on-demand expansion and agile IT architecture.

According to MarketsandMarkets, the modular data center market is expected to reach $7.949 billion by 2030, with a CAGR exceeding 17.7%, reflecting strong enterprise demand for fast, flexible deployment. This modular design not only improves deployment efficiency but also reduces construction and operational costs. Using standardized container units, enterprises can complete the full deployment process—from site selection to go-live—in a matter of weeks, rather than the months or even years required for traditional construction. Additionally, containerized designs facilitate disaster recovery deployment or temporary expansion, making IT infrastructure more flexible and adaptable.

Key Components

Core components of a container data center include modular structures, power and cooling systems, networking and security infrastructure, and scalable design. Inside the container, high-density servers, storage devices, and high-speed networking equipment are typically installed, supported by efficient UPS systems and advanced cooling solutions to ensure stable operation under high loads. Security measures include physical security, access control, and network protection to safeguard both data and equipment.

Advantages

The modular and standardized design of container data centers reduces construction costs while improving energy efficiency, enabling green and sustainable data management. Container data centers offer high flexibility and scalability: enterprises can add modules as business grows or relocate existing modules to new sites, supporting globally flexible IT infrastructure layouts.

According to Uptime Institute statistics, the average construction period for traditional data centers is 18–24 months, while the deployment period for containerized data centers is typically 8–12 weeks. At ATTOM, AgileCub containerized data centers can further reduce deployment times by 20%!

ATTOM’s container Data Center Solution

AgileCub is an integrated, green, and efficient containerized data center solution, equipped with high-density IT racks, precision cooling systems, UPS power, intelligent monitoring, and fire protection. It supports operation in environments up to 55°C and is suitable for edge computing, AI video processing, 5G communications, and other scenarios. AgileCub offers rapid deployment, energy savings, and high security, making it an ideal choice for modern enterprise infrastructure.