A number of organizations in a variety of sectors, including technology and the military, have sought ways to rapidly deploy data centers in an efficient, cost effective manner. Some organizations have turned to mobile or modular data centers as a way to address these needs.
Market Statistics
According to TechNavio, the modular data center market is poised to expand at a compound annual growth rate of 39.45 percent through 2018. The report noted that this market growth stems from the need for systems that allow for the rapid deployment of computing infrastructure. As enterprises rely more heavily on their computing resources, they need to boost their capabilities through a strategy that does not call for the expensive and time-consuming practice of constructing a brick-and-mortar structure.
In addition to being increasingly adopted in the business sector, the report noted that military and federal organizations are also utilizing modular data centers, adding to the current market expansion.
Armag’s A.R.C Vault
As clients demand more mobile solutions, a number of data center service providers have entered the market with unique offerings to suit customer needs. One such group is Armag, which provides a modular data center system called the A.R.C Vault SCIF, or the armored rapid-deploy compartmented vault, which is a sensitive compartmented information facility.
Armag’s offering arrives at the customer’s site pre-wired and ready for utilization. The design also provides flexibility in that it can be relocated quickly and easily per the client’s needs. This system is also ideal for military requirements. The mobile center’s outer shell is constructed of continuously welded quarter-inch-thick steel, protecting it against unauthorized entry and ballistic attacks.
Dell’s Mobile Data Center for Government, Military Operations
Recently, Dell announced the availability of its Tactical Mobile Data Center to provide the necessary remote IT resources to support government and military projects. One feature that separates Dell’s offering from other mobile data centers is that it is 3G Flight Certified, allowing it to be air deployed from a military fixed-wing airframe or commercial airplane.
The arrangement is also highly customizable, and features server racks that can support a total of 45 kilowatts, a glycol closed loop cooling system, and fiber, copper or BNC data connections.
“Many of our military and government customers are forced to quickly deploy to remote environments, like combat outposts in Afghanistan, or even in more developed communities following a natural disaster,” said Joe Ayers, Dell Federal vice president and general manager. “In today’s operational environment in order to have access to the tools and information most organizations need to accomplish their mission, they must also have a robust IT infrastructure, and we’ve designed this solution specifically to meet the needs of these very special customers.”
Altron’s Four Mobile Data Center Options
Data center vendor Altron also provides modular data center solutions, including four main product types: the MMDC40, MDC20, MTC20 and MDR40. The systems differ depending upon the power and size requirements of the customer.
Altron noted that many times, the mobile data center solutions are utilized as a temporary facility for a short-term project or during permanent data center construction. Customers have also leveraged the solutions as a cost-effective alternative to a fixed colocation data center, as well as a resource for disaster recovery data storage. Organizations in the armed forces, air traffic control, telecommunications and humanitarian groups have used the rapid deploy solutions as a means to quickly and efficiently meet their unique data center needs.
