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Iron Mountain's Experimental Room 48

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the secret-lair-anyone dept.

twailgum writes "Twenty-two stories underground in Iron Mountain's Western Pennsylvania facility, 'you'll find Room 48, an experiment in data center energy efficiency. Open for just six months, the room is used by Iron Mountain to discover the best way to use geothermal conditions and engineering designs to establish the perfect environment for electronic documents. Room 48 is also being used to devise a geothermal-based environment that can be tapped to create efficient, low-cost data centers.'"

10 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. iron mountain facility by Icegryphon · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Ever since I have seen the History channel episode I found the idea quite fascinating.
    Always wondered who and how they plan out which direction they use to cut new rooms.

    1. Re:iron mountain facility by The+Archon+V2.0 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Always wondered who and how they plan out which direction they use to cut new rooms.

      Computerized simulations. Right now they have a massive military force built up just in case they hit adamantine and follow the vein to a glowing pit.

  2. Ideal environment by zmaragdus · · Score: 5, Funny

    perfect environment for electronic documents

    Kernel Butler: Would you like a defragmentation this evening, sir?
    Document: No thank you. I would however like an integrity scan.
    Kernel Butler: Right away sir. Anything for Mrs. Backup?
    Backup: No thank you. I just got all my bits redone at the BZip2 fitness center. I've been trying to watch my size and nothing's been working until -
    Document: Oh, do be quiet. You've been prattling on about your size for ages. Nothing's wrong with size. I've just cleared 1MB and I'm none the worse for it.
    Kernel Butler: Anything else, sir or madame?
    Document: No, that will be all.
    Kernel Butler: Thank you. I will schedule your scan immediately, sir. Goodnight.

    --
    (((dB)))
  3. Is it worth the cost? by manyxcxi · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I wonder if the cost of digging into the side of the hill and carving out all these facilities is recouped through energy savings very quickly. I guess it all depends on the number of machines they would be running and the cost of electricity in their area- but if it takes 20 years, or even 10 to recoup the cost is it worth it?

    1. Re:Is it worth the cost? by Thud457 · · Score: 4, Informative

      The Iron Mountain facility in PA is recycling a old limestone mine, so it didn't cost them anything (extra) to dig out the space.

      --

      the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  4. What about the rest of us? by vvaduva · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Very cool stuff, but the rest of us who don't own mines don't really benefit from this solution. TFA says the mine layout and the underground lake are an "anomaly" of nature to begin with. We need solutions for "normal" data centers.

    Either way, this was a great read. Thanks for sharing.

    1. Re:What about the rest of us? by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

      Very cool stuff, but the rest of us who don't own mines don't really benefit from this solution. TFA says the mine layout and the underground lake are an "anomaly" of nature to begin with. We need solutions for "normal" data centers.

      Ah, the classic Dwarven Fortress "Your build only works with an underground lake, a magma river and a giant spider inhabited chasm" problem.

      I suggest the classic Dwarven Fortress solution: "Select your site based on the natural elements and build the artificial ones." Oh and also "Don't let workers bring cats to the data center."

    2. Re:What about the rest of us? by Thanshin · · Score: 4, Funny

      The most interesting part is where does one get the magma in Iron Mountain they use to kill off thier nobles^H^H^H^H^H^Hmanagers?

      "And so we reach Experimental Room 49. Dr. John Hammerer, you may get inside. Would you please press the red button with the big red 'DON'T TOUCH' text. Thank you."

      "And now, dear team, as carp infested water fills the chamber I suggest you to think about the consecuences of nobility and promotion."

  5. Old news for me at least by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I find it funny that this is being run as an experiment since I work at a mine.

    We've had our datacenter down a '2 level' (~300ft) for years where it's secure (IE: Hard to get to) and a constant 4 celcius regardless of the season.

    Only major issue we've had is with regards to humidity and ensuring that the dewatering pumps keep running. (Although... at a 5200 ft in depth it would take a few years for the water to get to the DC if the pumps shut off)

  6. Re:Experimental Room 48 by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 4, Funny

    Iron Mountain HR doesn't know exactly why they must automatically hire any comp sci. PhDs named "Forbin"; but the order stands.