Microsoft has noticed the increased popularity
of the cloud and has come up with a solution to make their data centers more
efficient and faster than ever before. They have created “underwater data
centers” by taking a server rack with the power of 300 PCs and placing it into
a “water-tight steel cylinder” and lowering it into the ocean. (Goldman, CNN) Being
that data centers are typically very loud and produce a lot of heat, the ocean
solves both of these problems because it drowns out the loud noises and the
cold ocean floor cools off the computing components inside the pod. It’s a very
smart and efficient solution that Microsoft has thought of and is still working
on perfecting today. (Goldman, CNN)
The article makes excellent points regarding key
reasons why the underwater center would be a great idea. First, half the world's population is located
within 125 miles (200km) of the coast. (BBC News)
Therefore, since
the data center is underwater, it is closer to where people live. Thus, access
to the cloud is faster than it was before. Second, Microsoft is now creating turbines within the
data center that are able to convert water into electricity. Thus, these data
centers will be completely ran by water. (Goldman, CNN) Similar to how Amazon
uses windmills to provide energy for their centers, Microsoft will be using a
natural resource, one that there is an abundance of, to power their centers.
(Sandoval, Geek Wire) Finally, Microsoft is building their centers with the
future in mind. They are installing far more power and space than they
currently need within the cloud of their data center. They are anticipating and
preparing for the future, which I think is very smart of them. (Goldman, CNN)
Though the article highlights on
very good key points, there are a few points that I felt could raise a few
issues and needed a bit of further explanation. First, Microsoft is still
currently analyzing their data center prototype. Though this idea seems
ingenious and well thought out, we are still unaware whether there was any
damage to the center or the pod itself. Once Microsoft is finished with
analyzing their center, we will know for sure whether this idea and product
could actually work. Second are the environmental impacts of this study and the
center. Microsoft should explain to the public the exact affects that putting
this center into the ocean will do to our oceans and the sea life that lives
within them because if there are negative effects to this, it can hurt them a lot
in the end. (Goldman, CNN) Finally, it was never specified how big these
centers actually are. Especially if these centers expand in size, this could
take up a lot of the space in the ocean, which again, takes space away from the
sea animals. If this were the case, this would result in a lot of backlash from
both customers and animal rights activists.
BBC
News, BBC New Technology. “Microsoft
tests underwater data center”. 2016. Article.
Goldman,
David, CNN Money. “Microsoft just
sunk a data center in the ocean” 2016. Article.
Sandoval,
Greg, Geek Wire. “Microsoft dunks
prototype data center in the ocean” 2016. Article.
To me, the idea of putting data centers underwater is almost genius - it makes sense for the centers to be in a cool, unused, isolated place. That being said, what was wrong with the traditional underground data center? Underground data centers seem much easier to maintain - as in they are more accessible than underwater centers - with far less risks. Oceans and shorelines are not the most protected environments, and while I understand the data centers are safely watertight, I am still scared that natural occurrences, such as storms, may damage underwater data centers.
ReplyDeleteDespite my fears, I am very hopeful to see how Microsoft's projects succeed.