When it comes to data storage centers, most of these locations take advantage of rack solutions and also extreme server cooling systems. This way, everything is able to stay at an exceptional temperature– plus the rack server feature makes it easier to upgrade and add more units, whenever necessary.
10. The Supernap
Las Vegas
407,000 Square Feet
This location popped up in 2008 and is the 10th largest data center in the world. It has over 7,000 cabinets and power capacity of 250 megawatts. While this sounds rather impressive, there are still nine other data centers that are actually larger than the Las Vegas offering.
9 (Tie). Microsoft Quincy and San Antonio Data Center
Quincy Washington (Microsoft) and San Antonio
470,000 Square Feet
Microsoft spent a total of $550 million building the facility and it is supported by hydro-electric power, thanks to dams built along the Columbia River. The San Antonio Data Center powers the large data center by using recycled water to support the facility. In total, it uses eight million gallons of water each and every month to do just this.
8. DuPont Fabros CH1
Elk Grove Village, IL
485,000 Square Feet
This facility is located in a Chicago suburb and has a total of 350,000 square feet. It took a bit of time to build up this facility, although it now is supported by a total of 32 two megawatt diesel backup generators, not to mention a total of 200,000 gallons of diesel storage, plus a 32 rotary UPS system to help power everything and prevent any sort of extended power outage.
7. Phoenix One
Phoenix, AZ
538,000 Square Feet
The giant data center uses up to 4.5 megawatts of power to run the data center. It also has an overhang catwalk built around all of the servers in order to give a better view of what is going on. Plus, the facility uses high-efficiency chillers and perimeter flooring that is built from recycled car tires in order to remain as eco friendly as possible.
6. Microsoft Data Center
Dublin, Ireland
550,000 Square Feet
The first entry located outside of the United States, this facility, operated by Microsoft, uses specific free cooling systems throughout the server so it does not matter if the air temperature actually reaches upwards of 95 degrees. While Microsoft does keep the temperature cooler, it can cut down on its energy usage by not requiring its AC to run overtime.
5. Microsoft Chicago Data Center
Chicago, IL
700,000 Square Feet
The second data center located around Chicago, the facility contains over 224,000 servers and utilizes multiple floors to house everything.
4. Next Generation Data Europe
Newport, Wales
750,000 Square Feet
This larger than life data center is more than 375,000 square feet of technical space, with a total of 19,000 cabinets for storage.
3. NAP of the Americas
Miami, FL
750,000 Square Feet
While the same size as the Newport, Wales options, this facility is six-stories high, and is able to withstand a category 5 hurricane. It has more storage as well.
2. QTS Metro Data Center
Atlanta, GA
990,000 Square Feet
This building is currently in production and is going to be 560,000 square feet of just data center space, not to mention it is supported by 80 megawatts of power.
1. 350 East Cermak
Chicago, IL
1.1 million square feet
Chicago is the leader in data storage centers in the world, as this million plus foot behemoth proves. This is the world’s largest data center. It use be home to the Sears catalog.
+Katrina is a product specialist for rack solutions solving issues for your computer server and power needs at Racksolutions.com
