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Uber Scaling Up Its Data Center Infrastructure (datacenterfrontier.com)

Posted by samzenpus on from the power-up dept.

1sockchuck writes: Connected cars generate a lot of data. That's translating into big business for data center providers, as evidenced by a major data center expansion by Uber, which needs more storage and compute power to support its global data platform. Uber drivers' mobile phones send location updates every 4 seconds, which is why the design goal for Uber's geospatial index is to handle a million writes per second. It's a reminder that as our cars become mini data centers, the data isn't staying onboard, but will also be offloaded to the data centers of automakers and software companies.

11 of 33 comments (clear)

  1. Fortunately, all the servers are contractors. by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2

    Fortunately, all the servers are contractors. Or the datacenters are anyway.

    >> as our cars become mini data centers

    You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

    1. Re:Fortunately, all the servers are contractors. by The-Ixian · · Score: 2

      It sounds cute.

      A miniature replica of a data center complete with false floor, wire trellises, HVAC equipment and network gear.

      Collect all the different style mini racks all lovingly duplicated down to the last detail.

      Rage as you realize your mini rails don't fit in the mini rack or are for a slightly different model of mini server.

      --
      My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
  2. Re:Data transfer costs by XXongo · · Score: 2

    And who is going to pay the network costs relating to the constant stream of data from car to uber. Seems like a pretty good way to chew through your 2g/3G/4g download quota to me.

    Hm-- if they link, say, a 24-bit location information package every 4 seconds-- call it 170 kB per 8 hour day, about 5 MB per month.

    Probably won't blow away your data caps, but that will depend on how much other stuff is in the downlink other than location

  3. Just me? by JustNiz · · Score: 4, Informative

    Is it just me or does anyone else here also have a personal policy to never buy any car that is "connected" or can "phone home"?

    1. Re:Just me? by JustNiz · · Score: 2

      I'm 27.

    2. Re:Just me? by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2

      >> I'm 27 ...and you work in tech? You've got just 12 years left to go - make 'em count!

    3. Re:Just me? by JustNiz · · Score: 3

      Being concerned about privacy is not age-related.
      Being an arrogant dick like you apparently is though.

  4. Re:Data transfer costs by 110010001000 · · Score: 2

    24-bits? Chances are they are doing it via a HTTP REST connection.

  5. Re:Data transfer costs by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 4, Informative

    ^^^ What I was thinking. You can't even spell JSON with 24 bits these days. :)

  6. Re:Why not just do like Netflix and use AWS? by MerlynEmrys67 · · Score: 2

    Netflix would kill to get out from under AWS and paying the profits that Amazon gets, the problem is once your data is locked in - it is hard to get away. AWS is great for small (in big data center terms) projects with unknown scaling - once you are pushing a significant amount of the Internet's traffic it is good to have your own data center where you can control content, costs, etc.

    --
    I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them
  7. So what do they call this place? by bobbied · · Score: 2

    They already must have an "Uber Data Center", so what do they call this newer bigger data center?

    Somehow "Bigger Uber Data Center" just doesn't seem to convey the proper meaning...

    Maybe "S-Uber D-Uber P-Uber SC-Uber" works here...

    --
    "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101