14 DAY TRIAL // By April 2010, Microsoft intends for the new green server lab that it is building several miles from its headquarters to be fully functional, with all the disparate server labs on the Redmond campus being transitioned to the new location. The software giant’s end goal is to make another step forward when it comes down to cutting back its carbon footprint. However, there are additional benefits involved, and the same is valid for the price that Microsoft developers will have to pay.
The Redmond-based company noted that the new server labs means for Microsoft developer groups having to renounce to the high level of control offered by scenarios in which teams were administrating their own servers. “The opening of Redmond Ridge is a big milestone and represents a real transition point in the company’s culture,” noted Rob Bernard, Microsoft Chief Environmental Strategist. “This facility is a great example of how technology can help improve the energy efficiency of a company’s operations.”
Bernard underlined that while some developers, especially those that were used to working in accordance with the traditional Microsoft model, involving team-reserved computer labs and house servers, might not be all that comfortable with the transition to remote software development, the ecological benefits make up for the discomfort. Microsoft estimates that it will slash carbon emissions by 12,000 metric tons per year. The Redmond Ridge 1 lab is greener than traditional server facilities mainly because of the new cooling design implemented, involving evaporative coolers as opposite to traditional chillers.
One of the teams that is already leveraging consolidated servers in Redmond Ridge is the Windows Server and Solutions Division. “It was a challenge to get people to make the shift that the machines could be physically remote,” explained Bill Laing, corporate vice president of the Windows Server and Solutions Division. Under Laing’s supervision, the division wrapped up Windows Server 2008 R2 in the second half of July 2009.
“To me, the move substantially changed the way we thought about the products,” Laing added. “It was also just good environmental practices. When we initially talked about the idea of this facility we didn’t care if it was five miles away or 500. We thought it was the right direction to go in.”
Here are the Redmond Ridge 1 specifications, according to Microsoft:
• Overall Size: over 57,000 square feet (including generator buildings, switch yard and mezzanine). Usable Floor Space: 34,000 square feet. • Equivalent to ~115,000 square feet of office space or 460 offices. • Cooling Method: Outside air with Evaporative Coolers. • Number of Generators: 8 (Complete April 2010. • Total Final Capacity: 17.3 MW (March 2010). • Gen Back Capacity: Server Load: 50% - Cooling: 100%. • Number of Pods: 48 Pods (8 Clusters of 6 pods) separated into two groups of 24 on either side of a central control/work area.