Google Not Open - No surprises / Climate Savers "Purchase your Green"

The Register had an article on data center technologies and energy efficiency open-ness titled slightly tongue in cheek as “Google keeps killing Penguins for money”.   The article goes on to speculate whether or not Google really is as energy efficient as they claim.  They provide little to no evidence about any such gains other than a “trust us” position which really does not fly with anyone.  The concept of Data Center Efficiency and the lack of true industry leadership is one of the primary championed positions of Microsoft’s Michael Manos who has talked extensively on this topic at Uptime and Data Center World.  I has been interesting for me to watch this space so closely, seeing Microsoft (for once) take the moral high ground and drive for true industry change (for the positive) without a peep about it from Google.  

The article talks about Google and Intel’s investment in the Climate Savers organization, which champions global green efforts.  Its fair to mention that Microsoft is also a member of this group.  However, in my opinion, Climate Savers is the institutionalized version of Say Alot, Do Nothing.   As far as I can tell Climate Savers has yet to do anything for the “greening of IT”.   One almost gets the impression that it is a quick and cost effective way for corporations to show how “green” they are.

Local IOWA coverage of Microsoft Data Center

Here are some local links to coverage of Microsoft’s Data Center Announcement in Iowa.  

• KCCI - Written and Video Segment
• KDSM - Written
• WOI  - Written
• DesMoines Register - Written

 

More as they emerge.

Microsoft or Google, Which is better for Iowa?

I know I am bound to stir up some emotions on this post but with all of the press about Microsoft coming to Des Moines, The question above inevitably came to mind.  Don’t get me wrong, I am extremely pleased to have them both.   But one of the items that really tweaks many of my colleagues around town is ‘why are we giving these big corporations tax breaks to come here?’  This is mostly based upon the stories of Google getting preferential treatment out in Council Bluffs and Microsoft who is currently angling to finalize some tax breaks here in the Hawkeye state. 

The question then becomes what’s in it for Iowa?  There is no doubt that the state will benefit from the property taxes each will bring by their sheer presence alone.   However is one deal better than another?  I decided to do my own little investigation and do my own personal assessment.

 

• Property Tax - While we dont know the size or any real specifics around the Microsoft investment, we should probably assume that this will be a draw.  Google has secured massive quantities of land, but data center specific construction on the site is on par with other facilities they have around the globe.  Advantage: DRAW. Net winner here is IOWA all the way around.
• Construction Costs and Spend - Again, we don’t really know much about a Microsoft investment in Iowa but if we assume its in the Microsoft standard $500M range.  Thats probably on par with the Google investment, and at first I was likely to call it a draw, however I got to thinking about where the costs were going to be spent.  Most of the Google workforce is being sourced from the Omaha area and not much is really being driven in western Iowa.   What this means is that most of the people building the data center are probably from the Nebraska side.   Most of the money earned by those workers from the project will probably be spent in Nebraska as well.   So while there will definitely be some impact there, it would not be as significant to Iowa as the Des Moines selection.  Des Moines is smack dab central to the state and thus all of the money spent and earned will be respent here in Iowa.  That means Iowa benefits more from the Microsoft investment on the whole.   Advantage: Microsoft.
• Economic Development - For those of you who have ever had the benefit of traveling to Council bluffs, you will find it a very scenic little community perfect for raising a family.  However - Economic Titan it is not, Google’s investment here definitely qualifies for rural renewal.  By choosing Des Moines, Microsoft sticks to solid infrastructure, and growth in an already large market.  Advantage: Google.  Net Winner: Iowa
• Access to IT workers - Related to Construction spend, Microsoft has the Iowa advantage here as well.  While Google employs more people per data center (210) than Microsoft (35-50).  One would likely presume that many of the Google employees could easily (and might preferably) live in and around Omaha.    Microsoft will clearly hire more Iowans.
• Technology Recognition - Having Microsoft and Google in this state will ultimately be a huge boon to Iowa.   No where else in the United States do these two technology Giants have data centers in the same state (California may be the only exception, as one could assume that Google has a facility in its home state and Microsoft purchased a facility in Santa Clara).   While the Microsoft Site Selection is obviously different than Googles, both of those efforts have led to Iowa.  Are you watching world!?  This has happened no where else!  Come to Iowa and see why!

 

In the end,  I have to say that the Microsoft deal is better for Iowa in particular, but having both is like Ice Cream and Birthday cake.   Its hard to go wrong there.  Now where is  my cup of ice cold milk?

 

TechHermit Data Center Blog - Your source for Microsoft Data Center News

I have gotten quite a few emails and notes on my apparent frequency of Microsoft-specific  posts.  I am by no means a Microsoft fan-boy, and I think my propensity to post about them has more to do with the fact that they simply put out more information about what they are doing than any other.  I can tell you that Microsoft products have given me my fair share of headaches in my tenior as a Data Center Facility Manager.  So I may as well make this official and set up a goal for myself to be “THE” source of Microsoft Data Center and Infrastructure News on the web.   That is not to say I still wont post interesting thoughts on everything else in the industry, I will just try and ensure that all Microsoft news is captured for my readers.   Plus having one of their Data Centers in my backyard will definitely be helpful.   If you beleive as I do, the cloud computing space is going to be a major industry in the future it might be helpful to have someone watching this space closely. I also commit to you that I will point out the flaws and follies as well.

 

So I am looking to start a more comprehensive program around their Data Center program and infrastructure investments.  Any Microsoft folks who would like to be my sources are more than welcome to send me mail from time to time.   I will also try and reach out and cultivate relationships directly with the major players there too.  

Microsoft Data Centers, and Arne Josefsberg at Structure 08

In continuing follow ups to the Structure ‘08 conference, I found a great interview with Arne Josefsberg of Microsoft.  Josefsberg covers data centers, virtualization, and their interactions with the Hyper-V team.   Josefsberg is a long time Microsoft veteran and Chrapaty’s go-to person for all things infrastructure within Global Foundation Services.  The Data Center organization under Michael Manos, the networking groups, all report up through Josefsberg.

The video and article are found here.

Microsoft and Iowa Confirm Data Center in Des Moines!

I knew when I read the news about Debra Chrapaty pre-announced the information about Microsoft coming to Iowa, It had to be either Des Moines or Council Bluffs.  Today Governor Culver proved me right.  This is just phenomenal news for the state of Iowa.  While specifics are still scarce, more news is forthcoming,  this notification confirms that Iowa is the next great place for high technology and let me tell you its about time.  The Governor talks about the high quality of people here and the strong work ethic and he is not one to talk in platitudes.   Apparently more information will become available after tax negotiations are complete.    The hunt now is on for where they will actually build. Stay tuned!

Microsoft Announces Iowa Data Center!

You have to have to hand it to Om Malik, his interview with Debra Chrapaty of Microsoft at Structure has brought out an incredible piece of news.   The video found here is full of details about Microsofts program.   She is as plain speaking as they come and doesn’t mince words when it comes to their infrastructure.   Its clear that they view their infrastructure investments as strategic and better than Google’s.  As a native Iowan you can bet I am extremely excited about this announcement.  As John Rath states in his blog, the next question is where.  Personally, my money is on the Des Moines or Council Bluffs area for the facility, maybe Ames.  I think the recent flooding we had here would negate most locations on the eastern side of the state.    

Also at Structure Dan Costello gave a great presentation around containers, data centers, and whats next.  Green M3 had  a great recap of his talk as well. They are talking about achieving an average PUE of 1.3.   I am more than a bit skeptical about those numbers but cant wait to see the information as it comes available.     Microsoft continues its data center and infrastructure juggernaut.  What I love is that is not just about the technology but also about education.   Oh yeah, and also that its happening here in the silicon prairie.

Its a great way to roll into the Fourth of July weekend!

Glasnost Continues….Microsoft Data Center in San Antonio Exposed!

You know it was not more than an hour after posting my blog on Debra Chrapaty that I read the Information Week article by Nicholas Hoover on the San Antonio Data Center.  One could blog almost exclusively on what Microsoft is doing in infrastructure solely.  Maybe I should take up that banner :).  The article also has an accompanying photo gallery that will do nothing but make your jaws drop to the ground.  Microsoft’s Manos is quoted throughout the article.  Like Chrapaty, Manos is passionate and a great speaker, and  is another one of those top tier talent that Microsoft has attracted to its banner.   I haven’t seen many pictures of the facility in Quincy, Washington, but this San Antonio facility is massive.   You truly don’t get an appreciation for the size until you see pictures like this.  

The article mentions some amazing statistics:

• 965 workers on the site to build it.
• 474,000 square feet or 11 acres
• dual 30 foot tall, 30 foot diameter water towers
• battery rooms, wonder why they arent using rotary systems?

 

Another interesting tidbit I walked away with was the thought that went into even the smallest details.   Right down to the plywood Wainscote.  I have to say that is sheer simplistic brilliance.  My own data center hallways bear the marks of over 10 years of dings.  Ding the plywood, bang! replace it.  No wall damage.  Its a small thing I know, but my data center is MY data center and I want people to admire it for what it is.  Regardless, this facility is truly impressive.

I always read the comments to articles like this, and those associated with this article are not to be missed.  There are the usual trolls, and some interesting comments around solar though I would imagine the lack of solar is either timing or has to do with the frequent hail storms in winter.  I was stationed in San Antonio when I was in the military and I can tell you that the hail is terrible, though not bad if you dont mind buying some cars with a few dents at a good discount after such events. 

Debra Chrapaty of Microsoft / Queen of Internet Operations!

In advance of Structure 08 I wanted to look into some of the speakers a bit more.  One of the most fascinating speakers and someone I am just fascinated with is Debra Chrapaty of Microsoft.  She is an incredibly dynamic leader who has transformed Microsoft’s Operations into a world class organization.  She is truly inspiring to listen to and you can tell that she is both approachable and no-nonsense at the same time.  A rarity in IT, a very senior woman leader, sitting atop of one the largest infrastructures in the world.  One of my favorite videos of Debra was done by Channel 9 a couple of years ago.  Its a great deep dive into her personality, her history, and getting  a feel for what it is like to work for her.  You can tell that she had a vision then, a vision that is clearly being delivered today.   She has attracted an incredible team of industry leaders and its clear that they are bought into that vision.   Microsoft has clearly become an industry giant in the Data Center Industry and the Microsoft Glasnost around infrastructure has her fingerprints all over it.  Truly an incredible visionary.

 

Debra is delivering one of the key note speeches at Structure and is one presentation I will not be missing.   Simply stated Structure ‘08 will be one of THE conferences for anyone interested in the Emerging Cloud Services sphere.

 

Whats wrong with Dupont Fabros investors?

The decision to walk away from Microsoft by Yahoo has had just about everyone in the industry abuzz with what is to come next.   Data Center Knowledge had an excellent DC-perspective on this event outlining that the net result would be that Microsoft and Yahoo will continue their Data Center building sprees.  Both Yahoo and Microsoft lease at least some portion of their global capacity in Dupont facilities. 

One line stood out for me in the DCK article:

• No More Uncertainty for Dupont Fabros: Leases with Microsoft and Yahoo account for nearly 70 percent of the revenue for Dupont Fabros, one of the major data center REITs. We don’t think there was ever a great deal of risk to Dupont Fabros or its investors from a Microsoft-Yahoo deal. During the merger talks, Hossein Fateh, President and CEO of DuPont Fabros, told analysts that that “discussions with Microsoft and Yahoo have not yielded any concerns about the current leases or potential expansion.” Still, it’s better to have your two largest customers in expansion mode than merging with one another.

I decided to dig a bit deeper and take a look at the DFT Stock price since the announcement to walk away, and I was a bit surprised and had to ask myself, ‘Whats wrong with DFT investors?’  Or perhaps the question is, what do they know that the rest of us dont?

Since the decision to continue on their on way, Yahoo has taken additional space from DFT and also from Digital Realty Trust.   In fact, of the Big 3, Yahoo is the most likely to take down leases.   Yet we have seen absolutely no movement (other than down in their stock price).  Is it because the Data Center Industry is too complicated for investors to figure out?  One thing is for sure, its something we should be watching closely.