Microsoft's underwater data centre resurfaces after two years (bbc.co.uk)

Article summary

Microsoft's underwater data centre, part of Project Natick, has been retrieved after two years at the bottom of the sea. The experiment aimed to test the feasibility of underwater data centres for energy efficiency and reliability. The results show a lower failure rate compared to conventional data centres, with only eight out of 855 servers failing. The team speculates that the nitrogen atmosphere and lack of human intervention contributed to the greater reliability.

Main themes

• underwater data centres
• energy efficiency
• reliability
• marine life and biofouling
• environmental impact
• statistical mechanics and vacuum concepts

What commenters say

• The energy efficiency of the underwater data centre is a key factor in its potential commercial viability.
• The use of anti-fouling coatings or other methods to prevent marine life from attaching to the data centre is a significant challenge.
• The temperature of the data centre's surface may affect the growth of marine life and its impact on cooling efficiency.
• Some commenters argue that the issue of biofouling is not yet solved and could have environmental implications.
• The concept of 'nature abhors a vacuum' is discussed in the context of the universe being mostly empty space, but with matter clustering together under gravity.
• The retrieval of the data centre may have been premature due to concerns about the increasing ambient temperature and its potential impact on server failure rates.