Data centers are adapting to the requirements around them with creative solutions to security, technology and efficiency. Let’s take a quick look at a sample of ten interesting data center implementations from around the world.
Sci-fi Themeing
1. Bahnhof’s Pionen made the list for having a James Bond / Silent Running data center theme. The view here is of the suspended conference room above the data center floor.
Warzone Operating Environment
2. C3 -S.P.E.A.R. RT was selected for being a warzone/frontline self-contained data center. Also an excellent option for a disaster recovery data center solution.
Big Facility
3. @Tokyo Center made the list for being so big – 1,506,947 sq. ft. with much of it being data center floor space. This view is of the main corridor leading to the elevators that take you down to the data center entrance.
Lots of Power
4. 350 E. Cermak made the list for supplying 104 MW of power, not to mention the massive size of 1,133,739 sq. ft. Notice all of the cooling and generator equipment on the tops of the buildings.
Geeky Retrofit
5. The CLUMEQ facility made the list for being a retrofit of an old partical accelerator located on the campus of Laval University. The resulting high-efficiency facility can hold 56 cabinets on three levels in a cylindrical design.
Submersed in Liquid
6. Midas Networks made the list for their submersed cabinet server room. Each rack is submersed in a non-conductive mineral oil, capable of dissipating 1200 times more heat than traditional air cooling.
Paper Mill Retrofit
7. Google Hamina Data Center for their paper mill data center retrofit that uses seawater from the Gulf of Finland to improve cooling efficiency.
Indestructible
8. Iron Mountain for their “Room 48″ data center located in an old limestone mine. The picture below is of the entrance to the facility, with the support desk inset.
Maritime Solution
9. IDS for developing the maritime data center market with their data center installations that can be fully self-sustaining for up to 12 months.
Safe By Association
10. Academica – for building a data center in a space under the Uspenski Cathedral.
I like this article because it shows what companies can do with the resources they have. Some of these data centers recycle existing buildings or locations. Plus they try to adapt those resources to appeal to their customers. They do whatever they can to get an edge.
It is interesting to see what companies can come up with to make themselves unique in this industry and utilize what resources they have in front of them.
I love the idea of “Iron Mountain!” That location appeals to me a lot and it keeps the elusiveness of data centers at a maximum.
The C3 spear rt is a great idea for a disaster recovery data center. I can see how that would come in handy in the event a disaster strikes.
I really liked the idea of the “Paper Mill Retrofit” Data center. I think its a great idea how they use natural resources to help with cooling in the Data center. The retro factory look makes it look original and helps it stick out.
Submersed in mineral oil is my pick for coolest of the list. You have to cool the machines down and while oil is not the easiest cooling solution to maintain, it removes 1200 times the heat and is quiet.
I really liked the article because it shows what companies can do with the resources they have. Some of these data centers recycle existing buildings or locations.
Bahnof White mountain in Stockholm, Sweden is the coolest datacenter. We host our servers there and it is amazing facility.
The Google data center(#7) it says Bay of Finland but the real name is ‘Gulf of Finland’. Just had to say…
Thanks for the correction. Also, the source page says “Bay of Finland” as well, so you may want to let Google know too.