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Pimp My Datacenter

snydeq writes "InfoWorld has put together an in-depth, hands-on feature detailing the complete pimp-out makeover of Hawaii Institute of Geophysics' 1950s-era server room into a bona-fide 21st century datacenter equipped with 'some of the glitziest and most functional gear known to datacenter-building man.' The project — completed neither on time nor on budget — resulted in improved rack and cable management, more efficient cooling, higher security, and a wealth of remote management functionality to keep University of Hawaii IT staff from having to leave the beach to service glitches. Editorial coverage includes essential tips for completing a datacenter overhaul, video interviews, and deep-dive coverage of the technologies implemented, including state-of-the-art datacenter-planning software, power and cooling equipment, out-of-band management systems, physical security solutions, remote rebooting capabilities, and more."

117 comments

  1. I got a bad feeling about this . . . by cashman73 · · Score: 4, Funny
    Like all of a sudden, CNN's gonna pick up on this story, and start talking about "nerd caves",. . .

    1. Re:I got a bad feeling about this . . . by 1sockchuck · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Too late. They're already putting data centers in caves. They'll soon be filled with nerds.

    2. Re:I got a bad feeling about this . . . by cptnapalm · · Score: 0, Troll

      International Herald Tribune is on the case as well.

    3. Re:I got a bad feeling about this . . . by Stachybotris · · Score: 1

      And why not? I refer to our NOC as the nerd cave...

    4. Re:I got a bad feeling about this . . . by vought · · Score: 1

      Neither one of them has a website as incredibly crappy as InfoWorld, so I think I'll read the story when it appears elsewhere.

      Seriously, the InfoWorld web design team must consist of a myopic monkey and...another monkey.

    5. Re:I got a bad feeling about this . . . by binaryspiral · · Score: 1

      I think monkeys, even with reduced eye site, can create better code.

      The InfoWorld web team is probably made up of a Drinking Bird tapping the keyboard of some Windows ME computer running FrontPage 98.

    6. Re:I got a bad feeling about this . . . by pragma_x · · Score: 2, Informative

      In spelunker "culture" we have a word for people who enjoy spending an inordinate amount of time in caves:

      Troglodytes

      Or more colloquially: "Trogs". I think the word is quite apt here.

    7. Re:I got a bad feeling about this . . . by cptnapalm · · Score: 1

      No justice in the world where this was not modded funny.

  2. I'll make my own datacenter by CrazyJim1 · · Score: 4, Funny

    With hookers and blackjack. Well screw the blackjack.

    Someday I'll get over cringing when people use the word pimp positively.

    1. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by WarJolt · · Score: 4, Funny

      Someday I'll get over cringing when people butcher a quote.

      I'll make my own datacenter... With hookers and blackjack. In fact, screw the datacenter.

    2. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by halln · · Score: 3, Informative

      I believe you have that wrong. You SCREW the hookers and PLAY blackjack. Simple mistake.

    3. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Ahh, screw the whole thing.

    4. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I thought screwing the hookers would be a better idea.

    5. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by Hal_Porter · · Score: 1

      Someday I'll get over cringing when people use the word pimp positively. Yo' cracka. Some of the badest pimps and gangstas I know are crackas workin' in a data centre. Like the AnimeCrackaz in Minnesota. Hardcore fuckin' gangstaz. So give 'em props. Datacentre posse in da muthafuckin' house!!!

      --
      echo -e 'global _start\n _start:\n mov eax, 2\n int 80h\n jmp _start' > a.asm; nasm a.asm -f elf; ld a.o -o a;
    6. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by Hooya · · Score: 4, Funny

      only a nerd would screw the datacenter. most would probably screw the hookers.

    7. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by Plutonite · · Score: 1

      Congratulations, you just made me cry! :'(

    8. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by LynnwoodRooster · · Score: 1
      With hookers and blackjack. Well screw the blackjack.

      No, you screw the HOOKERS. Damn, you are an engineer, aren't you?

      --
      Browsing at +1 - no ACs, I ignore their posts. So refreshing!
    9. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'll make my own datacenter... With hookers and blackjack. In fact, screw the datacenter. Isn't the point to screw the hookers?

      Screwing a datacenter sounds... unpleasant.
    10. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by laejoh · · Score: 0

      Arrrrrrrrrrr


      You forgot the beer volcanoes and stripper factory, add those and you'll in heaven!


    11. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by chemisus · · Score: 1

      depends on the OS thats on the datacenter.

      obviously you have less chance catching a virus from a hooker than a windows server.

      but linux on the other hand...

    12. Re:I'll make my own datacenter by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With hookers and blackjack. Well screw the blackjack. Personally I would make a different decision.
  3. Sigh by jaxtherat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Pimp My Datacenter Maybe I'm just too old to get it (26), but when did pimps become cool, and the word pimp become a verb commonly used to describe a process of improvement? I mean, when I was growing up, a pimp was a scumbag who hooked women (and some men) with drugs and threats and made them turn tricks. Hardly something laudible.

    Yes, I know "get off my lawn" etc...
    --
    http://www.zombieapocalypse.tv/
    1. Re:Sigh by ArchieBunker · · Score: 4, Funny

      Around the same time we started seeing "wiggers"

      --
      Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
    2. Re:Sigh by smittyoneeach · · Score: 1

      If the article has "Pimp" in the title, and it wasn't even written by Herbert Kornfeld then gonna not RFTA twice!

      --
      Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
    3. Re:Sigh by maxume · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It happened at least 10 years ago (I'm 28). Maybe about 50 years ago. (Don "Magic" Juan Yo)

      More likely than 'when did become' is 'where' not including the area that you grew up in.

      --
      Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
    4. Re:Sigh by evilviper · · Score: 5, Funny

      when did pimps become cool, and the word pimp become a verb commonly used to describe a process of improvement?

      The 70s: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blaxploitation
      The 80s and 90s: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimpmobile
      And the 00s: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimp_My_Ride

      Maybe I'm just too old to get it (26),

      You're not remotely too old... You were just simply an unpopular and stodgy individual.
      --
      Slashdot gets worse every day... Pipedot: News for nerds, without the corporate slant
    5. Re:Sigh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

      See this article on Slate about the history of the word "pimp" used as a verb:
      http://www.slate.com/id/2184211/

      The Slate article is good reading. It might actually answer your questions.

      (See also "Pimp My Ride," a show on MTV. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimp_My_Ride )

    6. Re:Sigh by TooMuchToDo · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Isn't "Pimpmobile" one of Bender's top 10 most commonly used words?

      (see bouncy ball world war, featuring head of Nixon, Zap Brannigan, and Henry Kissinger)

    7. Re:Sigh by Skidge · · Score: 1

      For those that can't be bothered to cut-and-paste, here are some handy links: Slate article and Pimp My Ride.

    8. Re:Sigh by Anonmyous+Coward · · Score: 1

      Maybe I'm just too old to get it (26), but when did pimps become cool, and the word pimp become a verb commonly used to describe a process of improvement? I mean, when I was growing up, a pimp was a scumbag who hooked women (and some men) with drugs and threats and made them turn tricks. Hardly something laudible.


      Pimps became "cool" out of necessity long before you were born. I think your negative perceptions stem from a common misunderstanding of the "pimp" business model and sex-worker economy promoted by negative fictional role models in the media, such as Flyguy, which, although part of pimp-culture's marketing strategy, backfired. Let me explain.


      Pimps serve a vital role as intermediaries between the the poverty-stricken segment of society (which the sex-worker economy typically draws on for labor) and its more affluent clientele (which account for most of its revenue if not the most number of "jobs"). You see, the sex-worker economy provides employment for otherwise unemployable individuals and serves as an avenue for a transfer of assets from rich to poor without the significant government overhead of welfare. It's not without any overhead, but compared to the feds, most pimps are models of efficiency in business.


      A pimp has two equally important primary roles: marketing and human resources. Take your average upper middle class church going sexually deprived white guy. This potential client would feel everything from fear to pity to disgust at the thought of having sex with the average impoverished mid-to-late twenties drug-addicted alcoholic high school drop out prostitute. Likewise, the potential prostitute would be afraid, shy, nervous, and easily spotted by the cops. The two would never be able to enter into a mutually beneficial business transaction.


      But the pimp makes it all possible. His "cool", as you describe it, prevents clients from having to be aware of the unfortunate but necessary source of raw materials for his business, much like your local supermarket, with its sparkling white floors and refrigerated cases of bright-red carbon monoxide soaked meat, hide the horrors of the meat processing industry from you. The pimp's fancy car, gold chains, expensive fashions and self expressive grooming show his clients the world of fantasy, excitement and culture they demand. These same qualities also show employees the potential benefits of hard work in their chosen field.


      Do you look down on the president of your company for wearing an expensive 3-piece suit or driving a late-model BMW? Of course not. You know he's worked hard to build the company that puts food on your table every night. That same charisma keeps sales coming in and your paycheck going out. The more impressive he is, the more business your company gets and the harder you're willing to work for him, right? So why then would you criticize pimps for doing the same thing. Sure, the nature of their business means that they need to demonstrate their success slightly differently, but the basic idea is the same.


      Pimps are cool because they have to be. They simply cater to what their potential clients demand. They personify "process improvement" because their hard work provides good pay to thousands who would otherwise flood social services and the minimum-wage job market. Drugs are simply a side business that both clients and employees demand and threats are part of the show for the clients. In short, don't hate the player, hate the game.

    9. Re:Sigh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      WTF? This is supposed to be a tech discussion - not overt racism pls mod the parent

    10. Re:Sigh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Actually that makes a lot of sense. Thank you for articulating that!

    11. Re:Sigh by Anonmyous+Coward · · Score: 1

      Are you serious!?! It was totally tongue-in-cheek commentary. Pimps "cool"? Come on. Their "cool" is a form of self expression and show of power, and I doubt the threats or "just for show". Pimps are immoral lawbreakers and prostitution is a near-slavery last resort for the most unfortunate among us, not a positive alternative to welfare. I seriously hope you were as kidding as I was when I wrote the post.

  4. Lame by FSWKU · · Score: 5, Funny

    Not the datacenter itself, but the InfoWorld coverage. Two pages that could have EASILY been put on a single page (although that would decrease ad impressions and we can't have that, now can we?) and a complete lack of pictures of this supposedly awesome upgrade? Can we PLEASE stop posting stories from the dolts at InfoWorld? All we're doing is driving ad impressions on shoddy articles. Mod me as offtopic if you wish. I couldn't care less as I have plenty of karma.

    --
    "So after all this, you make my case for me. To end this stalemate, you must die..."
    1. Re:Lame by Darein · · Score: 2, Funny

      That article pisses me off (like a lot of articles around lately, so little content and lots of ads). I am literally right next door to HIG, so good thing they gave the room number, maybe they will let me take pictures.

    2. Re:Lame by Das+Modell · · Score: 3, Informative

      I scanned the pages, found no pictures and immediately lost interest. Why was this posted on Slashdot, exactly?

    3. Re:Lame by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I have to agree. Every time I've clicked a link to InfoWorld I've regretted it. Maybe we need a slashdot style firefox plugin. "Warning the article you are clicking links to a Known Lame Site". I could check the status bar, but who wants to do that for every link clicked?

    4. Re:Lame by phreakincool · · Score: 1

      I agree. No actual pictures of said Pimped Datacenter.

      FAIL.

    5. Re:Lame by nschubach · · Score: 1

      Especially since "pimping" is mainly about being seen by those you're targeting. ;)

      I wanted to see before and after shots AT LEAST! I read the summary and was thinking. I was wondering what a 50s era data center looked like... and what did they convert the unused space into?

      --
      Every time I start to have faith in humanity, I ruin it by driving to work between 7 and 8 am.
    6. Re:Lame by OnlineAlias · · Score: 1


      Not to mention this data center is tiny...I would call it more of a "server room". What this is is poor coverage of a not so interesting subject. Now, if this was a Google data center, color me interested.

  5. booyha! by ILuvRamen · · Score: 3, Funny

    They've gotta have LED fans in the servers and windowed cases with neons on the inside that pulse to the beat of the music, which is of course playing out some kickers and a biiiiig ass subwoofer :P

    --
    Google's Super Secret Search Algorithm: SELECT @search_results FROM internet WHERE @search_results = 'good'
    1. Re:booyha! by nschubach · · Score: 1

      You forgot about the 106" Plasmas on the ceiling that play Xzibit videos on loop.

      --
      Every time I start to have faith in humanity, I ruin it by driving to work between 7 and 8 am.
  6. "deep-dive" ??? by Gothmolly · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is about as good an indicator as the phrase "best practice" that the speaker is a douche.

    --
    I want to delete my account but Slashdot doesn't allow it.
    1. Re:"deep-dive" ??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "douche"? This is about as good an indicator as the phrase "don't tase me, bro" that the speaker is an ignorant frat boy.

  7. Wait a minute ... by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The project -- completed neither on time nor on budget

    including state-of-the-art datacenter-planning software

    Am I missing something?

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    1. Re:Wait a minute ... by reset_button · · Score: 1
      The project -- completed neither on time nor on budget

      Editorial coverage includes essential tips for completing a datacenter overhaul

      Am I missing something?

    2. Re:Wait a minute ... by dubl-u · · Score: 1

      The project -- completed neither on time nor on budget There's a phrase for that: over-optimistic planning.
    3. Re:Wait a minute ... by dbcad7 · · Score: 1

      Maybe they fired up the software on their newly built data center after it was built.

      --
      waiting for ad.doubleclick.net
  8. Tips from a project that was late and over budget? by R2.0 · · Score: 1

    Pass. Big pass.

    --
    "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
  9. Re:Datacenter? by smittyoneeach · · Score: 4, Funny

    A datacenter is a point in space surrounded by just over 6.28 units of datacircumference.

    --
    Get thee glass eyes, and, like a scurvy politician, seem to see things thou dost not.--King Lear
  10. In Soviet Russia ... by mrroot · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... the Datacenter pimps you

    --
    I Heart Sorting Networks
    1. Re:In Soviet Russia ... by jamesh · · Score: 3, Funny

      In Soviet Russia ... the Datacenter pimps you

      This is your datacenter management software speaking... due to increasing costs and decreasing revenue there is an opportunity for some umm... after hours work...
  11. I gotta agree. by khasim · · Score: 2, Insightful

    And the links to their videos ... are links to unrelated videos.

    And the "coverage" ... it's non-existent. WHY choose those items? Why THOSE items?

    I'm getting the feeling this is more about how someone could spend a HUGE budget instead of how someone could UPGRADE their data center.

    1. Re:I gotta agree. by afidel · · Score: 2, Informative

      HUGE budget? Not even remotely, we recently went from a data closet to a small datacenter and spent significantly more, and in a simpler manner. We went to all HP servers which can be completely remotely managed through their ilo port, no need for crazy PDU's or IP KVM's.

      We did go with APC InfraStruXture for racks, kvm, and PDU's, but went with Liebert/Emerson for HVAC and UPS. We don't have traditional raised floor and the APC inline stuff is a bit on the expensive side.

      We went from all servers being serviced by a single 60A breaker and a constantly failing APC AC unit (another big reason for not going APC, their name was tarnished even if it wasn't their fault due to shoddy installation) to dual UPS's powered off of separate generators and redundant chillers with separate condensers on the roof. We even managed to do it with only 5 minutes downtime for email/BES.

      --
      There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    2. Re:I gotta agree. by binaryspiral · · Score: 1

      When did HP start charging licensing for iLo? Cheap fuckers, I already bought their servers - ding me another 200 bucks to get a remote console?

      Thanks HP, that felt nice.

  12. PM/.? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What about pimp my Slashdot?!!?

    Where is the chrome?

    Where is the neon?

    Where is the grill?

    Let's get some bling up in this bitch!

  13. OB Lebowski by Sir_Real · · Score: 5, Funny

    "wiggers" is not the preferred nomenclature. Wafrican-Americans please.

    1. Re:OB Lebowski by vought · · Score: 1

      Wafrican-Americans niveus pubes
    2. Re:OB Lebowski by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wigroes is preferred.

  14. Tag: nophotos by RealGrouchy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Let me get this straight: they are talking about an upgrade from a really old datacentre to a really new one (both of which would make or interesting visuals), and there are no photos in the article, which is split into two short pages of text.

    Then, when I click on the link for the videos, it's a bunch of 60-second clips of an interview!

    Totally lame.

    - RG>

    --
    Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
    1. Re:Tag: nophotos by JWSmythe · · Score: 1



          I'm glad I gave up at the article then. I was afraid if I watched the video's, I'd be even more disappointed.

      --
      Serious? Seriousness is well above my pay grade.
    2. Re:Tag: nophotos by RealGrouchy · · Score: 2, Informative

      Upon closer inspection, it seems that all of snydeq's submitted stories are multi-page infoworld.com stories, and the one comment that shows up has him plugging yet another infoworld story. (Plus, surprise surprise, his website is listed as infoworld.com)

      Looks like a linkwhore to me.

      - RG>

      --
      Hey pal, this isn't a pleasantforest, so don't waste my time with pleasantries!
    3. Re:Tag: nophotos by TravisO · · Score: 1

      I thought the same exact thing, I want to see pictures, not some guy with his arms crossed for 15mins.

  15. Oh yeah?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    YA and it has a TV in the fucking ROUTER BEEEEEEEEEEOCH!!!!

  16. Re:Tips from a project that was late and over budg by TomRK1089 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Well, this was my first thought too. But consider that now they can tell you how not to do it as well. Experience and all that, you know.

  17. They put in a what? by SEWilco · · Score: 1

    ... deep-dive coverage ...
    Wait, how deep is the pool in that data center?
  18. "Brian, you ain't no pimp, dude" by jahknow · · Score: 1

    http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=s-e3iYLaVM8

    Boy #1 "Brian, you ain't no pimp, dude"
    Brian: "Where's my money?"
    Girl #1 "That's my money"
    -- fenslerfilm gijoe psa18

    --
    ^^
  19. Hawaii = Huge Data Center Power Bill by miller60 · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you're in Hawaii, you better be pimping the dickens out of your data center. Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the United States, according to state-by-state energy prices, which show Hawaiian power prices at 16 to 17 cents per kW hour.

    1. Re:Hawaii = Huge Data Center Power Bill by popdookey · · Score: 4, Interesting

      If you're in Hawaii, you better be pimping the dickens out of your data center. Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the United States, according to state-by-state energy prices, which show Hawaiian power prices at 16 to 17 cents per kW hour. Actually, with recent cost recovery adjustments, I pay just under .30/kWhr. Yeah, you heard me right.
      --
      Success without humility is an indulgence in arrogance
    2. Re:Hawaii = Huge Data Center Power Bill by TooMuchToDo · · Score: 1

      Holy shiat! Makes my 0.07/kWhr in Chicago suburbs super cheap (nor do I feel bad paying said rate anymore). Although, on the downside, I don't live in Hawaii =)

    3. Re:Hawaii = Huge Data Center Power Bill by Ex-MislTech · · Score: 1

      I sure feel lucky here in Oklahoma at 7 cents a KWhr.

      Now if they can just fix the job situation here.

      I am not holding my breath.

      --
      google "32 trillion offshore needs IRS attention"
    4. Re:Hawaii = Huge Data Center Power Bill by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Plus, how can you get away from the beach when it's all islands?

      Gotta get back and watch more Magnum PI...

    5. Re:Hawaii = Huge Data Center Power Bill by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you're in Hawaii, you better be pimping the dickens out of your data center. Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the United States, according to state-by-state energy prices, which show Hawaiian power prices at 16 to 17 cents per kW hour.

      If you're in Hawaii, you better be pimping the dickens out of your data center. Hawaii has the most expensive electricity in the United States, according to state-by-state energy prices, which show Hawaiian power prices at 16 to 17 cents per kW hour. Actually UH pays $0.205 per KWH now...the new aircon system is guestimated to save UH 30% over the old unit...however, calculating the "real savings" is going to take a while of running and tracking energy usage.
  20. Re:That's no datacenter... by 1sockchuck · · Score: 1

    There's more info on Switch Communications and its Vegas supercenter at The Register, Data Center Knowledge and the Silverback Migration blog. These stories talk about their cooling system, which handles 1,500 watts per SF with air cooling. Gotta love that video on the Switch web site.

  21. Re:Tips from a project that was late and over budg by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Meh.

    The OS/360 project was hilariously late and expensive, but the lessons learned are still valid today.

    (Not saying this article will become a classic or anything)

  22. A truly inspiring tale... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 1

    Of how the team managed to buy loads of pricey brand-name wizbangs, and skimp on hiring human talent until too late in the process, thereby squandering considerable money and time.

    Hmm, sounds oddly similar to so many other stories of troubled tech projects.

    I suppose it all comes down to the human preference to optimize the variables that they can easily quantify and tweak, not necessarily the ones that matter.

    1. Re:A truly inspiring tale... by T3Tech · · Score: 1

      Who said anything about hiring human talent?
      Everyone knows that monkeys are great to have in IT and there should be some in every datacenter.

      Besides, monkeys are cheap and work for bananas, which just happen to be rather plentiful in Hawaii.


      Oh wait, maybe that's the problem...

      --
      Of course I didn't RTFA... why would I do that? You really are new here aren't you? Don't let my UID fool you.
  23. Yawn . . . by jgaynor · · Score: 5, Insightful

    There's nothing new about anything being done here. Here's what they're ooh-ing and ahh-ing over:

    - Hot Aisle / Cold Aisle
    - Environmental Monitoring (with Netbotz, how inventive)
    - At-a-glance rack power load
    - Hard & Soft Remote reboots (LOM, web-enabled PDUs)
    - Physical Access Control (card based(!), no biometrics)
    - Run-o-the-mill remote console and IPKVM
    - Good cable management
    - Paying people to move your crap for you

    I thought this was gonna be like an iris-scanning, fully Direct Current, liquid cooled, flywheel-UPSed, heat reclaming technological wonderland. Instead it's just more 'throw money at the first google hit.'

    1. Re:Yawn . . . by popdookey · · Score: 1

      I thought this was gonna be like an iris-scanning, fully Direct Current, liquid cooled, flywheel-UPSed, heat reclaming technological wonderland. Instead it's just more 'throw money at the first google hit.' Welcome to state expenditures in Hawaii where spending OPM, other people's money, is a work of art.
      --
      Success without humility is an indulgence in arrogance
    2. Re:Yawn . . . by T3Tech · · Score: 2, Funny

      But.. but... remote management! so they don't have to drive into the datacenter in the wee hours. This has got to be the best thing since TCP/IP.

      --
      Of course I didn't RTFA... why would I do that? You really are new here aren't you? Don't let my UID fool you.
    3. Re:Yawn . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wait... why would you need a flywheel UPS if the data-center is "fully Direct Current" :)

    4. Re:Yawn . . . by hakr89 · · Score: 1

      None of this is state of the art.
      Over here, we have
      - Hot Aisle / Cold Aisle
      - At-a-glance rack power load
      - Automated Hard Remote reboots (web-enabled PDUs)
      - Physical Access Control (biometric)
      - Run-o-the-mill remote console and IPKVM
      - (Relatively) Good cable management
      - people paying us to move their crap for them

      Most of this stuff is mandatory for a datacenter nowadays

    5. Re:Yawn . . . by aproposofwhat · · Score: 1
      Er...

      Power density?

      Reliability?

      Lifetime?

      Lots of reasons. Flywheels don't have to provide AC only.

      --
      One swallow does not a fellatrix make
    6. Re:Yawn . . . by pimpimpim · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Really, who came up with the idea to ask an editor, and not a datacenter architect, to build this? Why did he get carte blanche to spend 400.000, no questions asked? Recently there was an article on slashdot that datacenter architects are in high demand, but this strikes me as being ridiculous.

      --
      molmod.com - computing tips from a molecular modeling
    7. Re:Yawn . . . by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because he has no idea what he's talking about, and is merely rattling off an incoherent list of buzzwords. DC power in the data center is an unproven technology, and by that I mean no one can actually prove it has noticeable advantages over AC.

  24. The new InfoWorld favicon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The InfoWorld favicon that Firefox puts in my tab bar looks like a little red lobster, with one claw bigger than the other.

    http://www.infoworld.com/favicon.ico

    No matter how many times I see it, I don't think "stylin' letter 'I' dude!", I think... "lobster"

    Hmm, I'm hungry.

  25. Pimp my dataaaaa by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    .. Too lazy to read the source(and the article)... Did MTV make the title?? Speaking of MTV and crappy tv shows and a whole culture in its whole, if they have a "Pimp My Terminal" will they have LCD's on the INSIDE of the computer so you can watch music videos while modding your already pimpped out computer?

  26. Back in 2005 by kilodelta · · Score: 1, Insightful

    I should have submitted the datacenter I was responsible for moving.

    It went from two locations (One a closet, the other an ill suited room) to a brand new datacenter with redundant power, cooling, etc.

    Only moved 45 servers but still, on-time and on-budget. The planning process is what kept it sane.

  27. InfoWorld needs to take their own advice... by Crazy+Taco · · Score: 1

    Well, it's obvious InfoWorld didn't pimp their own datacenter, as they just got roasted by the slashdot effect.

    --
    Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it.
  28. This calls for a new acronym.. by newr00tic · · Score: 1

    ..NIAC - 'Nerds In A Cave.'

    --
    A horse can't be sick, you know, even if he wants to.
    1. Re:This calls for a new acronym.. by Daimanta · · Score: 0, Troll

      I've had it with these motherfucking nerds in this motherfucking cave!

      --
      Knowledge is power. Knowledge shared is power lost.
    2. Re:This calls for a new acronym.. by nospam007 · · Score: 1

      I'll wait for the movie.

    3. Re:This calls for a new acronym.. by slashdotwannabe · · Score: 1

      Who the hell modded parent troll? That's the funniest thing I've read on /. in weeks.

      If someone pissed in yer coffee this morning and you must be cruel, at least mod it offtopic.

      --
      This comment is my opinion and does not represent an official position of Donald Trump or others I do not work for
  29. Datacentre Pickup Lines by kaiwai · · Score: 1

    "Maybe after you finish slotting that ram into me, I can do likewise to you"

    "I have many enhancements which we can both find out later"

  30. Re:That's no datacenter... by Provocateur · · Score: 1

    re switch

    Ya, no kidding. To interview Roy he had no less than Scott McNealy call the guy?? Thanks for the link to a datacenter superpower we've never heard of!

    --
    WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
  31. Tacky by jandersen · · Score: 1

    I haven't been able to connect to the site for some reason... Still, when has evidence ever been required for when I voice my infallible opinion?

    There is a reason why it is called 'pimping': it means that it is full of tasteless glitter with little to no functional benefit, which will in a few years look distinctly goofy. Just take a look at any episode of the first series of Star Trek - no doubt it was thought of as very impressive when it was filmed, but now it looks like what some pre-teen has banged up with his Lego set.

  32. Servicing Glitches? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Where do I sign up to service their hot Hawaiian glitches on the beach?

  33. wtf, no pictures by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Wtf, There were 2 pages of them jacking themselves off, 8 videos of a fat hawaiian standing in front of palm trees talking about his data center, and related 6 page article of more jacking themselves off. A roof with condensors he thought he would show us because we care about rust in hawaii... and not a single picture of the data center itself!

  34. InfoDolts. by Sun.Jedi · · Score: 1

    Can we PLEASE stop posting stories from the dolts at InfoWorld?
    vi /etc/hosts
    /127
    A
    www.infoworld.com
    :wq!
  35. Yeah but the tag says: by amohat · · Score: 1

    No Photos.

    Say what you will, but this day and age, no photos or other supporting media?

    Bullshit. I'm tired of people trying to pop up news stories without any multimedia. Like the so-called garbage island fiasco. Or that stupid komodo dragon crap from a few days ago.

    Sure, it sounds silly, "pics or it didn't happen". But I counter with "pics or I don't really care".

    It just shows terrible journalism, and an odd disconnect with what your audience---any audience---wants. What would you think of a news story of an Alien Landing but oh golly nobody thought to take a pic, or if they did, it's oddly omitted?

    I know, it shouldn't preclude a good story from getting out. But it should keep a stupid, unimportant story from ever reaching daylight! (more space for good stories?)

    Finally, if this story does have pics....well fuck you slashdot tagging system!

  36. Yes it is! by GameboyRMH · · Score: 1

    Bender's Top Ten most frequently uttered words:
    10. Chump
    9. Chumpette
    8. Yours
    7. Up
    6. Pimpmobile
    5. Bite
    4. My
    3. Shiny
    2. Daffodil
    1. Ass

    --
    "When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
    1. Re:Yes it is! by TooMuchToDo · · Score: 1
      Bender -- "What word sets the nuclear weapon off? Come on, I won't say it. Is it antiquing?"

      I love that episode. Classic.

  37. Cool! A Minnie Driver/Anne Hathaway love scene! by Impy+the+Impiuos+Imp · · Score: 1

    "It's now a bona-fide 21st century datacenter equipped with some of the glitziest and most functional gear known to datacenter-building man! We will now take your questions. You, yes?"

    "This is Hawaii. Is it earthquake proof like the old one?"

    "Did I mention it's glitzy? Next question..."

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  38. Datacenter Automation by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    What did he go with for Network or Server automation?

    I'm surprised he didn't use HP Network and Server automation, the products formerly from Opsware.

  39. 1950s era server room? by Eric+Smith · · Score: 1

    How can there be such a thing, when there weren't any 1950s era servers?

    1. Re:1950s era server room? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Please re-read....1950's era building, but that building has seen MANY generations of data centers. Compromises had to be made due to the politics of who gets what space and where....along with just how much power can you steal of elsewhere in the building. While chillwater would have been more efficient, there wasn't anymore left without spending MONDO bucks on new pumps and plumbing. This isn't like Wisconsin where there are LOTS of free cooling days...whereas Hawaii has NONE....it's all about compromise when you need to cram in lots of stuff with little or no budget. The $400k also consists of donations by companies that wanted to show off their gear. UH's total cost was around $40k.

  40. Pictures (at least for the remote access portion) by cvonwallenstein · · Score: 1

    I was one of the folks that participated in the Pimp My Datacenter event, and took pictures of the installation for those that requested: http://www.standingonthebrink.com/index.php/tag/pimp-your-datacenter/ Disclaimer: I'm affiliated with Servprise, one of the companies featured in the article.

  41. guilty by newr00tic · · Score: 1

    I pissed in his coffee, but, as he drank from the toilet instead, I must've forgotten to "coffee in his piss," as it turns out.

    --
    A horse can't be sick, you know, even if he wants to.