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A new approach to data
centres
Data centre designer Cannon Technologies
is urging businesses to look at the cost
advantages of ‘incremental modular’ data
centres before committing themselves to a
conventional pay-as-you-grow strategy for
new build data centres or extensions to an
existing facility.
Cannon Technologies managing director
Matthew Goulding claims that an ‘incremental
modular’ approach makes it possible to build
data centres to the capacity you currently need,
rather than to what you expect to need several
years hence. As a result, it has lower total CapEx
and OpEx compared to bricks-and-mortar data
centres and other modular approaches.
He said: “The majority of data centres
are of the conventional ‘bricks-and-mortar’
construction in either owned or leased buildings.
But because the building has to be provisioned to
accommodate the ultimate size of the data centre
in 10 or 20 years’ time, the building will spend
most of that time under-utilised. Frequently this
means that thousands of square metres remain
unused but paid for and serviced. Often it’s only
for the final two or three years that a bricks-and-
mortar data centre operates optimally – and
shortly after the IT people run out of space and a
new building is needed.”
Incremental modular, which was developed
for telecoms network operators 20 years ago,
overcomes this as data centre buildings and
associated services like electrical distribution and
cooling are added ‘as needed’.
According to Cannon Technologies, this
approach is cheaper than most other methods;
suitable for all climates; and, because it was
developed specifically for racks of electronic
equipment, highly energy efficient.
01425 638148
www.cannontech.co.uk
innovations
Smart technology for business people
in the office, at home or on the move
HGST, formerly Hitachi Global Storage
Technologies and now aWestern Digital
company, has developed a helium-filled
sealed hard disk drive (HDD) platform that
is claimed to offer a significantly lower
total cost of ownership (TCO) than air-
filled drives.
Because the density of helium is one-
seventh that of air, there is less drag on the
spinning disk stack, which reduces power
consumption by more than one fifth. In
addition, fluid flow forces buffeting the disks
and the arms are weaker, enabling data
tracks and individual disks to be placed closer
together (HGST has fitted seven disks in a
single enclosure).
In tests, the combination of power savings
and greater data intensity produced a 45%
improvement in watts-per-TB compared to
air filled drives and HGST expects this to
improve further as higher drive capacities are
developed.
The use of helium also reduces shear
forces and delivers more efficient thermal
conduction so that drives run cooler and
quieter.
Steve Campbell, chief technology officer at
HGST, said: “The benefits of operating an HDD
with helium fill have been known for a long
time. The breakthrough is in the product and
process design, which seals the helium inside
the HDD enclosure cost effectively in high-
volume manufacturing.We are excited about
the introduction of this platform, which is the
result of more than six years of development
in materials science, mechanical engineering
and process technology.”
The first products based on the new
platform are due to be launched in 2013.
www.hgst.com
Helium filled drives offer lower TCO
19
Wireless recharging while you wait
As part of its strategy to make wireless recharging as
ubiquitous asWiFi, Nokia is providing wireless charging
plates in a number of venues worldwide, from the Virgin
Atlantic Clubhouse at London Heathrow airport to Coffee
Bean & Tea Leaf coffee shops in the US.
The installation of Nokia wireless charging plates will allow users
of certain phones to recharge a device simply by placing it on the plate.
Supported models include theWindows Phone 8 Nokia Lumia 920 – Nokia’s first smartphone
with in-built wireless charging; the Nokia Lumia 820, which can be wireless charging-enabled
with the addition of a removable sleeve; and any other device compatible with the Qi wireless
charging standard.
Nokia will be staging wireless charging demonstrations at London Heathrow Clubhouses
from November 1, 2012 to January 31, 2013. Nokia staff will be on hand to showcase the new
NokiaWindows Phone range and accessories to the VIP lounge visitors.
www.nokia.com
One million postcard
give-away
Heaton Media Holdings Ltd. is giving away one
million postcards to celebrate the launch of its
free Stannp.com Postcard App, which enables
users to take a picture, add effects/text and then
share the picture on Facebook, via email or as
glossy postcards sent through the post. The App
lets each new user send one hard-copy postcard
for free (normal price from 99p). Cards are printed
on a 350gsm Trucard with a laminate finish and, if
ordered before 2pm, will be sent first class on the
same day. Android andWindows 8 versions will be
available in November.
http://bit.ly/iTunesStannp
The one million card give-away is launched by Sam
Heaton, creator of the Stannp App at Lacock Abbey,
birthplace of photo-pioneer, Sir Willam Talbot.