Data Centers in Strange Places 187
johannacw writes "Would you house a data center in a diamond mine or an old chapel? These organizations did, with great success; many of these facilities offer the latest in cooling and energy technology, among other advances. 'If you want an even more hardened environment for your data, you might look at the aptly named InfoBunker in Boone, Iowa, about an hour outside Des Moines. [...] The 65,000-square-foot, five-story site is dug deep into the ground. No one gets in without passing though the 4.5-ton steel door and then a three-step process. A scanner uses radio frequency to read the would-be entrant's skin as a biometric identifier. He then needs to use a keycard and enter a code on the keypad. This three-tier security is standard for high-level military installations, McGinnis explains.'"
Re:missile silos (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Above the ceiling (Score:2, Informative)
Installing computer equipment above the ceiling would be a violation of building codes in many cases, especially if the above ceiling space is used for air return. The national electric code prohibits such installations by banning the use of flexible cords above the ceiling:
400.8(5) Flexible cords shall not be used where concealed by walls, floors or ceilings or located above suspended ceilings.
Generally, the only time receptacles can be installed above a ceiling is the provide the receptacle required for servicing HVAC equipment.
Bunkers in military comm sites (Score:3, Informative)