13-09-2017, 09:33 AM
Microsoft Research has a new concept that could bring data centers around cloud services to about half the world's population. All that is required is a custom underwater capsule designed to go five years at a time without a visit from a technician.
Recently, the company's R & D department was made public with Project Natick, a data center enclosed in a steel capsule at the bottom of the ocean. These underwater data centers are easier to deploy, reduce emissions and save a ton of mass in cooling compared to traditional farms, at least in theory.
Microsoft completed its first successful mission last year. Between August and November 2015, the company deployed its first prototype, the Leona Philpot, which was named after a character connected to the Halo series. That first vessel contained a server shelf, according to The New York Times, surrounded by pressurized nitrogen to remove heat from the components.
Recently, the company's R & D department was made public with Project Natick, a data center enclosed in a steel capsule at the bottom of the ocean. These underwater data centers are easier to deploy, reduce emissions and save a ton of mass in cooling compared to traditional farms, at least in theory.
Microsoft completed its first successful mission last year. Between August and November 2015, the company deployed its first prototype, the Leona Philpot, which was named after a character connected to the Halo series. That first vessel contained a server shelf, according to The New York Times, surrounded by pressurized nitrogen to remove heat from the components.