Take a look inside a Microsoft data center

CNET’s Ina Fried recently visited the newly opened Microsoft data center in Chicago. The facility is designed to hold up to 56 containers, each filled with 1,800 to 2,500 servers.

In this CNET News video, Ina talks to Daniel Costello and Christian Belady from Global Foundation Services about how the design of the data center saves costs and materials; it’s noted that the container-based system is about 50% more energy efficient than a traditional data center. Another advantage to this design is that it allows them to deploy very quickly. Ina remarks that what is notable is what you don’t see when you walk around the data center — that is, big bundles of cable, as many fans and air conditioners, etc.

Check out photos of the massive data center. You can also get more details about the facility in Ina’s post on CNET News.