Top 10 Data Center Stories of the Month: August 2018

Google is Switching to a Self-Driving Data Center Management System - Google’s use of AI to optimize data center efficiency has entered a new phase. Machine-learning algorithms are now adjusting cooling-plant settings automatically, in real-time, on a continuous basis.

Microsoft to Open-Source Its Secret Weapon Against Cloud Network Outages - Microsoft researchers said they’re planning to open-source Open Network Emulator, the system that simulates the entire network that powers the company’s hyperscale cloud platform. The company has been using it for about a year to test changes made to the network before they’re deployed in production. The researchers said Microsoft’s network engineers caught hundreds of bugs in proposed changes, potentially preventing major outages.

The new entrance to Equinix's MI1 data center in Miami, also known as NAP of the Americas

Equinix Expands Miami Data Center That’s Key to Latin American Connectivity - Equinix has completed the first of two construction phases on the fifth floor of NAP of the Americas. The big Miami data center and interconnection hub is the biggest gateway the world’s data traffic travels through to reach markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. The $60 million phase adds enough space for more than 1,000 cabinets and 4MW of power. Most of the traffic from Latin America and the Caribbean destined for the rest of the world travels through the facility, according to Equinix.

Switch Results Disappoint Wall Street Again, Stock Craters - Data center provider Switch reported disappointing results for the third quarter in a row. The results, which failed to meet Wall Street’s expectations, led to the company’s stock dropping to its lowest point since its IPO last October. Analysts covering the company appear to be losing patience with the C-suite’s narrative, which had promised growth much sooner than management is now expecting.

The Year of 100GbE in Data Center Networks - Here’s what’s driving the current step change in evolution of data center networks.

So, You Want to Go Liquid – Here’s What Awaits Your Data Center Team - Yes, in some cases you’ll need gloves and aprons, but once you get some practice with liquid, it may provide a more comfortable working environment.

Photo of a robot destroying hard drives in a Google data center Joe Kava, the company's VP of data centers, showed during a presentation at Google Cloud Next 2018

Robots Now Annihilate Hard Drives in Google Data Centers - Google has deployed robots to destroy decommissioned hard drives in its data centers. Industrial robots puncture and shred the drives much faster than human technicians can. Automating this function has been especially helpful during mass upgrades.

Rendering of QTS's latest data center in Ashburn, Virginia

QTS Delivers Hyperscale Data Center to Non-Hyperscale Client in Ashburn - QTS has launched a new data center in Ashburn, Northern Virginia, with a financial services firm as the anchor tenant. The wholesale lease is for about 2MW, a type of deal seen more frequently with hyperscale cloud platforms. The new facility is geared toward hyperscale clients, but the deal shows that traditional enterprises also see value in hyperscale-like economics and being in the world’s hottest data center market.

Hyperscale Data Center Deals Drive Record Bookings for Digital Realty - As cloud leases get exponentially bigger, CFOs role increasingly crucial.

Uptime's Data Center Survey Shows Increased Downtime and More Efficient Power Use - Uptime Institute has issued its eighth annual Global Data Center Survey report. Expensive downtime was up in this years survey. Gains were found in energy efficiency and server density.