2019 OCP Global Summit

When exploring modular data center solutions, the ISO shipping container is frequently part of the discussion. Modular, purpose built enclosures are a great solution for data centers. Modular hybrid constructed buildings like CyrusOne and Microsoft, enterprise data systems, and telecom systems are all a perfect fit for modular, but not shipping containers.When building a modular data center, the walls are not the bulk of the cost, and should not be a limiting factor. It is true that containers are cheap and readily available, 80% of them are made in China to ship goods all over the world, and the Americas get a steady surplus of these metal boxes. To make them suitable for a data center (even a limited one with few racks) requires significant modification. Cleaning, repair, painting, insulating, door installation and more must be done to provide acceptable white space. These modifications are time consuming and costly, this quickly eats up the initial savings from that "cheap" shipping container. Purpose built modular data centers are the safest, most efficient, and most functional way to add capacity for any network. In this session, participants will learn the details of modular enclosures and limiting factors of ISO containers by looking at efficiencies, code requirements, and transportation costs.