Large data centers are still being built

Technology may be increasingly slim and lightweight, but that doesn't mean that large data centers are out of style. Whether companies are building high or stretching their centers out over large areas, grander facilities are still in the works to accommodate all of the necessary systems for major operations. Data Center Knowledge described a project in Chicago which could eventually contain 660,000 square feet.

According to this source, the building will still take years to complete and hasn't broken ground yet. Nonetheless, development is underway with the Digital Realty Trust building located off of the 350 E. Cermak location it acquired 11 years ago. Data Center Knowledge previously listed that address as the largest data center in the world, accounting for more than 1 million square feet and featuring a cooling tank which could reportedly hold 8.5 million gallons.

A different example of a large-scale data center building comes from Shaw Communications' company ViaWest, which recently saw its ninth data center finished, reported Datacenter Dynamics. While it pales in comparison to the structures in Chicago, the Plano-based facility still comes with 148,000 square feet of space and 29 carrier networks.

ViaWest President and CEO Nancy Phillips explained the several reasons her company chose this location.

"ViaWest has a long-established presence in Texas, a place with high private sector growth, a thriving technology community and low tax burden," Phillips said."Texas offers a number of benefits to ViaWest and its customers and we determined that Plano was an ideal location for our newest data center to meet the enduring demand for our Hybrid IT solutions."

Though big centers may still be plausible, companies shouldn't pursue them only to fall victim to big risks. Instead, they can find power conditioning systems appropriate for their facilities and perfectly sized for their use.