An inside look at Microsoft's massive Chicago data center |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Today On Techflash
- Micron Tech CEO killed in airplane accident in Idaho
- Microsoft teams with NASA chief to talk about science education
- Renters, buyers (and lookers) continue to flock to Zillow
- Best in-house lawyers sought by PSBJ
- Nearly 100 million in the U.S. now own smartphones
- Expedia partnering with China Southern Airlines
- Amazon also supports same-sex marriage, following others in tech
- Craig McCaw backed GOP candidate Huntsman 'Super PAC’
- Microsoft's Youngjohns: Let business dictate move to cloud
- Nearly 100 million in the U.S. now own smartphones
- Tweet signals Microsoft marketing layoffs
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- Microsoft teams with NASA chief to talk about science education
- Renters, buyers (and lookers) continue to flock to Zillow
- 'Fast Pitch Forum' to debut May 27 with some familiar names
- Getty Images has GUESTLIST music for movie trailers, ads
- Amazon sees gold in Babe Ruth or Wayne Gretzky trading cards
- Keiretsu Forum NW invested $24 million in 36 startups in 2011
- Shop.com, backed by Bill Gates and Amazon.com, finds a buyer
- Amazon.com gets toehold in India with website, package center
Mass High Tech
- Microsoft Build: Windows 8 preview a hit, but are investors unhappy?
- Build an app in a day at Mobile App Hackathon
- Beefed-up Skype for Windows; Indie author joins Amazon's 'Kindle Million Club'
- Only solution to Xbox 360 update error is new console
- Ballmer: Windows Phone update 'Mango' has over 500 new features
An inside look at Microsoft's massive Chicago data center
Servers inside Microsoft's Chicago data center
Looking to expand its footprint in Web services, Microsoft has opened one of the largest data centers in the world in Chicago. The 700,00 square foot facility -- which follows the grand opening of a Dublin, Ireland data center facility last week -- uses massive shipping containers to house 1,800 to 2,500 servers each, writes Microsoft's Arne Josefsberg in a blog post.
The news -- first reported by Mary Jo Foley -- is significant given that Microsoft in August announced plans to move Windows Azure applications out of the Quincy, Washington data center due to a "change in local tax laws."
That decision by Microsoft prompted a debate on TechFlash about Washington's tax policy and Microsoft's corporate role in the state.
While much of the development on Microsoft's Web services platform, Azure, will occur in the state, the actual hosting and delivery of those applications will take place elsewhere.
The Chicago facility has other interesting features, including new technologies to reduce the building's power consumption. Josefsberg writes:
Containers provide further environmental benefits in that they don’t require additional packaging materials or external form factors for the thousands of servers that they house. They also require less cabling and other equipment that all add up to unnecessary waste in traditional data center designs. Containers are also a very efficient way to quickly deploy capacity. Another best practice we are using in Chicago is water-side economization, which enables us to cool the facility without requiring the high levels of electricity typically needed to power large chillers.
It is also pretty interesting to watch the installation of the shipping containers -- a familiar sight for anyone who has driven along the Seattle waterfront -- being used in this capacity. See video below:
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
The Triple Door Presents: The Atomic Bombshells "J'ADORE!: A Burlesque Valentine"
Seattle's reigning Burlesque super-troupe delivers a gorgeous and glittering VALENTINE featuring some of the Bombshells' most exhilarating acts to date. J'Adore! promises to celebrate l'amour with good humor, style, and a healthy dose of dazzle! Bring a friend, a lover, a family member, or a secret crush, and celebrate with the Valentine's Burlesque spectacular that will leave you shouting: "J'ADORE......The Atomic Bombshells!" The incomparable Jasper McCann emcees with high style and charm.
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
The Triple Door Presents: Bob Mould – See A Little Light: An Evening of Reading and Music
"Bob Mould. Those two words are synonymous with integrity. From Husker Du in the last century to right at this moment, Bob is the real deal, writing and playing music for music's sake. He's a great songwriter and performer. I have been a fan of Bob's for thirty years now with no end in sight." -Henry Rollins
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
Why Choose BDO for your SOC (previously SAS 70) Reports?
BDO’s experience in providing attestation services (SAS 70/SSAE 16, AT 101, AT 201, AT 601, etc.) to a broad range of industries, and our team of skilled professionals distinctly qualifies us to serve as your company’s Service Auditor. By leveraging the BDO global network of control specialists, we are poised to provide global services in more than 1,000 offices and across 119 countries. Many organizations find that investing in reports on controls may result in benefits, including:
• Increased client confidence
• Improved competitive advantage
• Minimization of frequent audits
• Streamlined business processes and controls
• Enhanced risk management
For detailed information contact Paul Martini at pmartini@bdo.com.
Seattle University Graduate Programs Accepting Applications:
Seattle University now offers two graduate programs in computing. The evening Master of Software Engineering program builds upon the professional experience of its students and offers courses in a variety of technical and management topics, with an emphasis on teamwork and a disciplined approach to problem solving. The Master of Science in Computer Science program accommodates both full-time and part-time students and enhances students’ previous academic work in computer science, in order to develop technical depth and lifelong learning skills necessary for successful career advancement.
