Google container data center tour
Why Server Fault recommends it
Server Fault users link it as a rare look at how a hyperscale operator builds and runs a data center, often when discussing server density, cooling, noise and container-based deployments.
Recommended by 2 people across 3 different months, 2009 to 2012.
What it is
A short 2009 tour of Google's shipping-container data center, first shown at Google's Efficient Data Centers Summit. It walks through the container design, the custom servers inside (around the 4:21 mark) and the people who work in them.
What people said
Recommends paulgreg · 2009-04 · Server Fault · on “The perfect server room?”
Perhaps take a look on Google best practices : They released a video about their "container approach" [this video] which, even if only very few companies may have money to do so, have good idea for smaller business (for example, focusing on very efficient power supplies and so on). Jeff likes that subject [LINK] too [LINK] (about energy) ! Also, Google released some informations about their servers [LINK] which are quite interesting by, for example, the embedded UPC in each server.
Recommends Mathieu Chateau · 2009-06 · Server Fault · on “Do you skip a rack unit between servers?”
Google is not leaving U between servers, and i guess they are concerned by heat management. Always interesting to watch how big players do the job. Here is a video of one of their datacenter: [this video] Go directly to 4:21 to see their servers.
Recommends Mathieu Chateau · 2010-02 · Server Fault · on “what does google use to install its headless servers in its server farm?”
i read some articles on them. It's basically red hat highly modified. Their server boot from lan, get the os, and then start to serve. So they don't really "install", but they are supposed to have around 800K servers, i guess you won't be near that number ;) (all the bad i wish you !) resources: [LINK] [LINK] Google datacenter visit [this video] One of the best resource: how to make your own google server like [LINK]
Cites Jeff Moser · 2009-04 · Server Fault · on “Noisy server rooms”
If you go to 4:05 in this video [this video] of Google's "Shipping Contaier" data center, you'll see that the technician wears ear protection similar to what you'd find on a gun range or the guys helping to park airplanes. I think it's a good idea that doesn't hurt.
Cites OscarRyz · 2009-08 · Server Fault · on “What's the benefit of using "containers" in the datacenter as opposite to regular installation”
I have just seen this video: Google container data center tour [this video] What is not quite clear to me is, what's the benefit from placing the servers inside containers?
Cites karmawhore · 2010-06 · Server Fault · on “Robot Datacenter Automation, can it be done?”
Develop a distributed computer, plan on parts failing and have the distributed computer self-heal until the humans can come in during normal hours, get a pull list, and swap machines. [this video] ttp: [LINK] (though, these are gen 2 servers being shown) No one says a failed machine needs to affect operations. And there's no reason a failed machine that doesn't affect operations needs to be replaced immediately.
Cites tombull89 · 2012-10 · Server Fault · on “Server room in shipping containers”
Google does this on a large scale, however they do roll their own servers (as far as I know, anyway) and there is a lot of information around - start here [LINK] to begin with. There is also a YouTube video here [this video] . Cooling would likely be your biggest issue, as well as having the room to move servers around.