Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#1

Post by chasef » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 7:47 PM UTC

Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?
news.cnet.com

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#2

Post by joshdance » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:03 PM UTC

I hope it is a floating data center. If not, it is a fun detective type article.

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#3

Post by aluhut » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:10 PM UTC

Bruce Sterling will love this.

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#4

Post by Glyptodon » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:11 PM UTC

joshdance wrote: post #2

I hope it is a floating data center. If not, it is a fun detective type article.

If it is built by Google and it's not a floating data center, I wonder what it could be.

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#5

Post by narfquat » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:14 PM UTC

Seems pretty telling to me, with the patent and coffee shop cashier testimonial.

I wonder how the hardware will hold up to the environmental harshnesses of the open water? Or even just sea spray...

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#6

Post by numbsafari » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:17 PM UTC

Something similar is being outfitted in Portland, ME.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/Clues_emerging_about_mystery...

The OP is a much better article (The Press Herald is garbage).

My original guess for the barge-building in Portland was a ocean-based prison facility for the government to use for interrogations. But it's seeming like the floating data center idea is much more likely.

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#7

Post by cargo8 » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:17 PM UTC

Very interesting...

Any chance that this will mean the Govt can't subpoena data from this data center if it is floating far enough from the US coast? Or does it not matter because clearly the US will be the closest harbor?

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#8

Post by acr25 » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:18 PM UTC

It might be a NON-HULKING floating data center.

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#9

Post by nostromo » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:19 PM UTC

I was Googling to find what a boat-based wave-powered generator would look like, and I found this interesting diagram:

http://www.greenpatentblog.com/2011/12/08/fraunhofers-mobile...

Re: Is Google building a hulking floating data center in SF Bay?

#10

Post by Pirate-of-SV » Fri, Oct 25, 2013, 8:21 PM UTC

cargo8 wrote: post #7

Very interesting... Any chance that this will mean the Govt can't subpoena data from this data center if it is floating far enough from the US coast? Or does it not matter because clearly the US will be the closest harbor?

On international waters you follow the laws of the country where the ship is registered.