The visit was a valuable learning experience, especially as a Data Science undergraduate currently exploring cloud computing and AWS. Until now, I had primarily learned about concepts such as virtual machines, cloud infrastructure, and Amazon EC2 through theory. Visiting an actual data centre helped me connect these concepts with their real-world applications and understand the physical infrastructure behind the digital services we use every day.
One of the most interesting aspects of the visit was understanding the facility’s security arrangements. Before entering the server room, we were required to wear protective plastic shoe coverings. We also experienced a mantrap security system at the server room entrance. We had to scan our identification cards to enter a small enclosed area, and once the first door closed, we had to push the second door to proceed. This demonstrated how carefully access to critical infrastructure is controlled.
We also learned about the facility’s surveillance cameras, sensors, and specialised security equipment, including a machine reportedly valued at approximately ₹47 lakh. The monitoring systems were described as detecting movement and identifying crowd formation, with updates occurring every 10–15 seconds. Additionally, different coloured ID-card straps were used to distinguish individuals according to their roles and access permissions. These measures gave me a better understanding of the importance of physical security in protecting sensitive infrastructure.
Entering the server room was one of the highlights of the visit. Seeing rows of server racks containing the physical computing infrastructure was a completely different experience from learning about cloud computing in a classroom.
The noise was incredibly loud, almost like being inside an aeroplane with its engines running. It made me realise how much equipment operates continuously to keep digital services available. As someone learning about AWS and Amazon EC2, seeing the physical infrastructure behind virtual machines helped me understand that the cloud is not simply an abstract concept; it relies on real computing systems, networking equipment, power supplies, and cooling mechanisms.
The rooftop visit offered another perspective on how a data centre operates. We wore orange safety helmets before accessing the rooftop, where we observed an extensive network of pipelines and large cooling systems.
Learning about the chiller systems helped me understand how the heat generated by the servers is removed to maintain suitable operating conditions. Seeing the infrastructure in person made me appreciate the engineering and resource management required to operate a facility of this scale.
We were also shown the facility’s fire-alarm systems and learned about measures designed to contain fires and reduce the risk of them spreading. We were told that the third floor had been specially designed with fire containment in mind, highlighting how safety considerations can be incorporated into a building’s design.
Another interesting aspect was the facility’s backup arrangements. We learned that backup systems had sufficient fuel to operate for several days during a power outage, with additional fuel available through an arrangement with a nearby petroleum supplier if required.
Water management was another useful learning point. We learned that water lost through evaporation could be replenished to maintain the cooling process. For example, if two litres of water evaporated, the same quantity could be added back. These arrangements demonstrated the importance of planning for resource availability and maintaining continuous operations.
The visit also deepened my interest in cybersecurity. Learning about concepts such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks made me curious about how organisations protect their infrastructure against digital threats.
We often see hacking portrayed in a simplified way in movies, but the visit gave me a more practical perspective on the multiple layers of physical security, monitoring, access control, and technological protection involved in safeguarding critical systems.
My biggest takeaway was the connection between my AWS learning and the physical infrastructure I observed. Services such as Amazon EC2 allow users to create and operate virtual machines in the cloud, but behind these services are physical servers, networking systems, power infrastructure, and cooling equipment working together.
Overall, visiting Yotta NM1 was much more than simply seeing a data centre. It was an opportunity to understand how computing infrastructure, security, cooling, power management, and operational planning come together to support the digital world.
As a Data Science undergraduate, I found this experience particularly valuable because it helped me look beyond the theoretical side of technology. It strengthened my curiosity about cloud computing, data centres, and cybersecurity, and motivated me to explore how these systems work in greater depth.
Thank you for encouraging me to share my experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to visit such an advanced facility and connect my academic learning with real-world technology.
Amar Patel is our Data Science Program (DSP) student belonging to the Sept 2026 batch in Mumbai.
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