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Google Patents Shipping-Container Data Centers

Posted by Zonk on from the pick-it-up-and-move-it-out dept.

theodp writes "Two years ago, Robert X. Cringely wrote that Google was experimenting with portable data centers built in standard shipping containers. The idea, Cringely explained, wasn't new and wasn't even Google's, backing up his claim with a link to an Internet-Archive-in-a-Shipping-Container presentation (PDF, dated 11-8-2003) that was reportedly pitched to Larry Page. Google filed for a patent on essentially the same concept on 12-30-2003. And on Tuesday, the USPTO issued the search giant a patent for Modular Data Centers housed in shipping containers, which Google curiously notes facilitate 'rapid and easy relocation to another site depending on changing economic factors'. That's a statement that may make those tax-abating NC officials a tad uneasy."

7 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. Think I'll invest in a big rig truck... by Franklin+Brauner · · Score: 4, Funny

    I wouldn't mind driving off with 5000 Opteron processors. Seriously, there's a downside to portability.

    1. Re:Think I'll invest in a big rig truck... by Kingrames · · Score: 3, Funny

      You're posting on slashdot. You're a geek. You wouldn't be driving off with it. They'd likely catch you in the thing as you're mid-climax.

      --
      If you can read this, I forgot to post anonymously.
    2. Re:Think I'll invest in a big rig truck... by flyingsquid · · Score: 4, Funny
      You're posting on slashdot. You're a geek. You wouldn't be driving off with it. They'd likely catch you in the thing as you're mid-climax.

      And you wouldn't? Come on, do you have any idea how much porn one of these shipping containers could store? I bet I could fit my entire collection in like, just three or four of them.

  2. Server Farm in a Trailer Park? by nate+nice · · Score: 4, Funny

    So if I have a bunch of servers in a trailer and an ethernet cable sticking out of the door, I'm violating this patent?

    I'm sorry, but white trash nerds have been doing this for a long time.

    --
    "If you are a dreamer, a wisher, a liar, A hope-er, a pray-er, a magic bean buyer ..."
  3. the history of the internet by circletimessquare · · Score: 4, Funny

    1967: in the event of nuclear war, arpanet will route around damaged nodes, so that communication remains uninterrupted. nothing can stop us now

    1987: first worm made. internet communication not guaranteed anymore

    2007: in the event of communication problems, one of the world's most powerful companies will mobilize their TPT (trail park technology) army

    2027: warhol virus takes out entire web, needs to rebuilt from scratch with ipv8

    2047: in the event of worldwide internet outage, GoogleMicrosoftApple will deploy nuclear warheads to silence virus spewing nodes. the circle is complete

    --
    intellectual property law is philosophically incoherent. it is your moral duty to ignore it or sabotage it
  4. Re:Oops! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I wouldn't claim to possess the insight -- and, I daresay, genius -- required to imagine putting computers in a shipping container.

    Nonetheless, I can humbly state that I'm something of an inventor myself. For the past several years, I've been developing a concept which involves assembling computers in 4-foot by 6-foot containers. I know, it sounds incredible, but it is actually possible (despite the intuitive difficulty).

    I'm looking to monetize the idea, so if you're interested please contact me about patent licensing and such.

    Dr. Hansel Hanselsonson, PhD
    hanselsonson@ingenious-inventions-seriously.com

  5. A Quick Google... by Greyfox · · Score: 3, Funny
    Indicates that they indeed thought of this first. So what's the problem?

    OK, I don't think they're quite THAT bad.. YET... I'm sure the guy granting the patent put almost exactly that much effort into his research as well...

    --

    I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?