News Ship-based data centres are go

http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/01/10/ship-based_data_centres_are_go/1

Stealth-mode start-up International Data Security has a novel idea to solve the growing cost of real estate for data centre use: converted cargo vessels.

 

Seems like an interesting idea but will it float? (yes bad pun)

Monkeybone

 

the only think i can think is: "this might be interesting for pirates......"

 

more like pirate bay if you slap a satellite internet connection on it and stick it in international waters..

 

arrrrr

 

They could just use Sealand data centres.

 

Sealand isn't really big enough to house a massive datacentre - it's only a small platform after all.

 

i forsee horrible latency and bandwidth issues, unless ofcourse they intend to just dock these ships up somewhere and use shorebased internets
but that seems kinda pointless..

 

Yeah... let's put a business that completely depends on ELECTRICITY in a fragile, moving vessel surrounded by WATER...

Actually, I think it might turn out to be a good idea.

 

And the only thing i'm thinking about now is "I want a crate like that in my garage!"

 

I think this is a brilliant idea.

SUN's "Black Box" Datacentres in a container
I looked into the design details of SUN's the new "Black Box datacentres" which is built into 20 and 40 foot containers. One only have to hook up power, Internet and water, then the datacenter is operational.

Cooling can be as much as 50% of the cost of running a data center
A study shows that these days about 50% of the cost of running a datacentre is spent cooling it down. With all the water available around a ship, that problem seems to have been taken care of!

Easy replacement of any component of your datacenter
Another issue is the hassel and cost of maintaining and replacing run-down or out-of-date-parts, be it the computers, cooling system, back-up diesel generators etc. of a data centre.

You can now get all of these items factory fitted, inside shipping containers. All you need to do is to off-load the old shipping container, and load a new one. It's brillient.

I have seen ferries being turbo charged for speed by adding a handfull of diesel generators in shipping containers, as to provide the electric or hydralic run thrusters of the ship with more power. To add a new engine in most ships, you have to poop the hood = chop off the entire top deck above the engine. The engines of some ships run a significant part of the length of the ship - so its just not a cost effective idea to "pop those hoods".

With every part of the datacenter installed inside containers re-fitting or re-using or scrapping the old stuff from an old "container" can easily be done anywhere in the world - its already pre-packed for easy shipping to the desitination of the workers.

It's an amasing and brillient development.


How to get one of these to improve my skills in WoW

Now we get to the really relevant question: Do I need to dig a canal to my back yard, in the event I'll need more data power running WoW. ...or maybe its enough to run a fibre to the nearest harbour? On second thought I think I'm in favour of the fibre solution.

 

Why do you punish me? (Sorry, I just had to throw mine in...)

 

Brings a new meaning to "Server went down".

All hands abandon ship!