General / Off-Topic Microsoft has immersed a data center near the Orkney Archipelago in northern Scotland.

[Patrick_68000]

The data center consists of a white cylinder 12.2 meters long, containing 864 servers - enough to store five million films - and can remain underwater for up to five years.

[video=youtube;AvvJc4Uw3aA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=AvvJc4Uw3aA[/video]

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Why though?

 

[Iskariot]

Why though?

I understood they use tidal wave energy, solar energy, and wind energy to power it.
But why it has to be submerged is not clear to me.
It keeps the dust out .

 

[Flimley]

Lets hope the system doesn’t crash, or they’ll have to reboot then open windows.

.....I’ll get me coat,,,

Flimley

 

[Para Handy]

Why though?

I understood they use tidal wave energy, solar energy, and wind energy to power it.
But why it has to be submerged is not clear to me.
It keeps the dust out .

The purpose is to establish how much energy is saved by virtue of the structure being cooled by the water (so reducing the energy required to cool the servers).

The server array is enclosed in a dehumidified and oxygen-free enclosure (since humans need not be catered for) thus reducing corrosion issues.

Servers cannot be repaired, therefore it needs to be established how much redundancy would be required in commercial application.

Decent article here:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44368813

 

[Deleted member 110222]

Thanks guys.

 

[Rob At Work]

Total Immersion - FDev take note!

 

[Patrick_68000]

The purpose is to establish how much energy is saved by virtue of the structure being cooled by the water (so reducing the energy required to cool the servers).

Exactly, this is the main reason for the project

 

[Bob Lighthouse]

Exactly, this is the main reason for the project

Well, if we want to get serious about this whole global warming thing...

 

[Patrick_68000]

Well, if we want to get serious about this whole global warming thing...

That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind

 

[amigacooke]

I hope they’re firmly anchored.

 

[Manticore]

Interesting article. Thanks OP.