iTnews editor Brett Winterford takes a look inside two container data centre modules developed by Datapod in conjunction with APC. Starting at $400,000, these data centre units can be shipped on the back of a truck and installed just about anywhere you need them. All you need is power, fibre connectivity and water.
on Aug 17 2009 9:13PM
The Datapod solution. On the left is the Connection Node, which is the aggregation point for fibre, power and water. The larger structure on the left is what is called a 'Starterpod' - the first of a series of modular server rooms fitted with in-row cooling that can be joined together with other pods to expand with the organisation's needs.
The Connection Node. This is the aggregation point for fibre, power and water. It features the mechanical pumps that feed the cooling system. The telco terminates its service at this node while the utilities store their power metres within it. Generators are kept in a seperate 'Utilitypod' (not in shot).
Datapod director Scott Carr and the mechanical pumps housed within the Connection Node used to chill the portable server room.
Inside the Starterpod, looking at rows of APC infrastructure racks featuring in-row cooling.
Datapod director Peter Carr inside the Starterpod, which features rack enclosures, in-row cooling and UPS pre-installed.
Inside the Starterpod.
Datapod director Scott Carr and APC country manager Gordon Makyrllos inside a Datapod.
The hot aisle containment area within the datapod.
Sliding doors at either end of the aisle lock in the hot air.
APC general manager Gordon Makyrllos inside the hot aisle.
This is called the 'Hot Aisle Shuffle'.
The Projectpod is a fully self-contained data centre in a small, ISO-standard shipping container, that can be deployed at short notice and delivered on the back of a truck.
A closer look at the Projectpod.
Water connections for the Projectpod.
Three phase power and fibre connection point for the Projectpod.
Opening up the back of the ProjectPod. The hot aisle of the Projectpod is the space between the exhaust of the racks and the glass doors that close behind them.
Modular UPS within the Projectpod.
Power distribution units within the Projectpod.
Modular UPS within the Projectpod.
The Projectpod is a fully self-contained data centre in a small, ISO-standard shipping container, that can be deployed at short notice and delivered on the back of a truck.
APC rack enclosures inside the Datapod. APC promises this infrastructure can handle any servers, storage or comms gear - and the company is also working on a cage for a mainframe.
A closed datapod in an ISO shipping container.
A datapod with one door open.
The Datapod expandable data centre model
The Datapod solution. On the left is the Connection Node, which is the aggregation point for fibre, power and water. The larger structure on the left is what is called a 'Starterpod' - the first of a series of modular server rooms fitted with in-row cooling that can be joined together with other pods to expand with the organisation's needs.