Of course, the songs weren't written about data centers, but the phrase still applies. An average data center stores and continuously circulates large amounts of data, and as such, its components will inevitably degrade. So what is the lifespan of a data center? A data center can stay in operation anywhere from 20 to 30 years. A data center in its twilight years is too inefficient, which is a primary reason why a Department of Commerce study (PDF) capped the productive lifespan at 10 to 15 years.