Following my last post which was about Amazon and its latest option editions to its in-cloud database, I decided to write about Microsoft data centers. In this article, a visit to considerably one of the largest data centers in the world, which happens to be in Chicago, is presented. Microsoft Azure which is going to be launched soon is based on cloud computing. This is mainly the reason for having this massive data center. This size of this facility is about 700,000 square feet which will definitely qualify it as one of the world's largest. As of the moment, it seems that the upper hand in cloud computing is Amazon with its service suite. However, when Microsoft Azure launches, the game might change and competition is going to be more intense. In the following paragraphs, a general outlook at the Microsoft data center and the philosophy behind it is going to be discussed.
Starting with the outside of the center; all you can see is really a number of trailers parked outside which makes one wonder what is inside them. This brings us to the inside of the trailers; it is what will make it all happen for Microsoft cloud computing initiation. Each of the trailers contains a number of servers ranging from 1,800 to 2,500 that could be serving up email services, instant messaging management, or running potential applications for Microsoft Azure. Moving on and inside the center, each of the four raised floor server rooms occupy 12,000 square feet with an average of 3 megawatts on consumption. Even though Microsoft was open about its data center, it decided to keep critical information a secret. For example, the names of the employees and the types and brands of servers used in its enormous facility.
An issue worth mentioning is the sidekick failure. A huge failure of the server in one of Microsoft facilities has drawn the fear of cloud computing. This, if not responded to well, might influence the success of Microsoft's cloud computing Azure. The server failure has caused inability to access data of thousands of sidekick users. Of course, Microsoft was quick enough to respond by mentioning that the functionality of Microsoft Azure requires having a back up system that will be implemented when the launching take place. In addition, Microsoft realizes that forecasting Azure capacity requirements would be challenging. It has specified the potential data centers in case data capacity requests increase.
In conclusion, cloud computing is growing by the day with security as the main keyword.
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Ahmed,
ReplyDeletethis is a really cool blog. Especially the video. I always imagined that data centers are in a big room, with lots of fans and wires, but here is why Microsoft is one of the top companies in the world, because they offer consistent innovation.
This is cool because they can expand on the fly. To ramp up a trailer of servers within 7 hours is awesome, not to mention two trailers within one day. Fifty percent energy savings is also a plus. I am really curious to who provided the servers.
ReplyDeleteThe talk about cloud computing continues to grow. However, every time I hear about this topic there is also the emphasis on security issues. This is a great post.
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