Portable data center

A portable data center is configured to be supported by any suitable self-propelled motor vehicle, and transported to a client location, such that a large volume of data can be transmitted to, and stored on, computing devices of the portable data center via a hard wire communication link. The portable data center can then be transported to a data center building so as to store the data received at the client location on one or more computing devices housed in the data center building.

BACKGROUND

Computing-intensive or data-intensive organizations such as on-line retailers, Internet service providers, search providers, financial institutions, and the like often conduct computer operations from large scale computing facilities, known as data centers. Such computing facilities house and accommodate a large number of server, network, and other computer equipment suitable to process, store, and exchange data as desired to facilitate the organization's operations. Data centers are often located remote from the organization, such that data is exchanged to and from the data center over the internet. Unfortunately, transmitting high volumes of data over the internet can be costly and time consuming.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure provide the ability to transport a portable data center to a remote client location, to transmit data from the client location to computing devices aboard the portable data center, to transport the portable data center to another stationary data center, and to transmit the data from the portable data center to the stationary data center. For example, in one embodiment, the transport can occur on a trailer, other road vehicle, boat, train, airplane, or any suitable mobile vehicle. In accordance with one embodiment, the portable data center can include an exterior housing and an interior housing that is supported by the exterior housing via a vibration dampening media so as to reduce the vibrations of the computing devices aboard the portable data center, for instance during transport. The portable data center can include on-board power supply that supplies power to the computing devices aboard the portable data center. The portable data center can further include a heat removal system that is configured to deliver ambient air to the computing devices during operation. The portable data center can further include a data management system that is configured to receive data from the remote location over a conduit and deliver the received data to one or more of the computing devices aboard the remote data center.

According to one embodiment, because the computing devices of the portable data center are configured to receive data from the remote client location over a hardwire communication line, data can be transmitted faster and less expensively compared to transmitting data to a remote data center over the Internet.

According to another embodiment, the data center is transportable over land, air, water, or a combination thereof.

As used herein, “portable data center” includes any transportable facility or portion of a facility in which computer operations are carried out. A portable data center may include servers dedicated to specific functions or serving multiple functions. Examples of computer operations include information processing, communications, testing, simulations, power distribution and control, and operational control.

As used herein, “computing room” refers to a room in a data center in which at least one rack resides. The room can be fully or partially defined by at least one computing room wall in the data center, or can be defined by an open space in a data center. The computing room wall can be disposed within the data center, or can be defined by an exterior wall of the data center.

As used herein, “rack housing” refers to a housing that at least partially defines an interior space within which at least one rack resides.

As used herein, “rack” refers to a rack, container, frame, bracket, plurality of brackets, shelving, or any other element or combination of elements that can contain or physically support one or more computing devices.

As used herein, “computing device” includes any of various devices in which computing operation or data storage can be performed. One example of a computing device is a rack-mounted server. As used herein, the term computing device is not limited to just those integrated circuits referred to in the art as a computer, but broadly refers to a processor, a server, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits, and these terms are used interchangeably herein. Some examples of computing devices include e-commerce servers, network devices including routers, telecommunications equipment, medical equipment, electrical power management and control devices, and professional audio equipment (digital, analog, or combinations thereof). In the various embodiments, memory may include, but is not limited to, a computer-readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM). Alternatively or additionally, memory may include a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), and/or a digital versatile disc (DVD). Also, additional input channels may include computer peripherals associated with an operator interface such as a mouse and a keyboard. Alternatively, other computer peripherals may also be used that may include, for example, a scanner. Further, in some embodiments, additional output channels may include an operator interface monitor and/or a printer.

As used herein, “hardwire communication line” refers to any electrical wire, cable, or the like that is configured to receive and transmit data. Hardwire communication lines can include copper cabling, fiber cabling, or any alternative cabling suitable for data transfer.

Referring toFIGS. 1A-2, a mobile data storage system20can include a mobile vehicle22, and a portable data center24that is configured to be removably supported by the mobile vehicle22. The mobile vehicle22can be configured as any suitable self-propelled motor vehicle, such as a truck25of the type including a self-propelled tractor25aand trailer25bthat is towed by the tractor25aas illustrated. Alternatively, the land vehicle can be configured as any alternatively constructed truck, train or any alternative suitably constructed land vehicle as desired. Alternatively still, the vehicle can be configured as a water vehicle, such as a ship, an air vehicle such as an airplane, or any alternative vehicle suitable to transport the portable data center24as described herein. Thus, the portable data center24can be supported by the mobile vehicle22, which can include on the mobile vehicle22, for instance on the trailer25b, or in the mobile vehicle22, for instance in a train car, a compartment of an airplane, in an enclosed trailer, or the like.

The portable data center24includes a computing housing26that defines a computing room28, and can further include a support structure30that supports the computing housing26. Accordingly, the support structure30is configured to be supported by the mobile vehicle22, and the computing housing26is supported by the support structure30. In this regard, it should be appreciated that the portable data center24is non-vehicular, and thus is reliant upon the mobile vehicle for transportation. Reference herein to a data center housing23can include one or both of the computing housing26and the support structure30. Thus, reference to various apparatus that extends through the data center housing23can extend through the computing housing26alone or in combination with the support structure30, it being appreciated that the support structure30need not continuously encapsulate an entirety of the computing housing26, though the support structure30can be continuous and encapsulate an entirety the computing housing26if desired. The portable data center24, including the computing room28and the support structure30, defines a front end24aand a rear end24bspaced from the front end24aalong a longitudinal direction L, opposed first and second sides24cand24dspaced from each other along a lateral direction A that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L, and a bottom end24eand a top end24fthat is spaced from the bottom end24ealong the transverse direction T that is substantially perpendicular to both the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A. For the purposes of form and clarity, the portable data center24is illustrated as oriented such that the lateral direction A and the longitudinal direction L are oriented along a horizontal direction, and the transverse direction T is oriented in a vertical direction. The front end24acan be said to be spaced from the rear end24bin a forward direction, and the rear end24bcan be said to be spaced from the front end24ain a rearward direction. The top end24fcan be said to be spaced from the bottom end24ein an upward direction, and the bottom end24ecan be spaced from the top end24fin a downward direction. Thus, directional terms “forward,” “rearward,” “upward,” “downward,” and derivatives thereof can refer to the above-identified forward direction, rearward direction, upward direction, and downward direction, respectively, unless otherwise indicated.

The computing housing26can define a floor26aand a ceiling26bthat is spaced from the floor26ain the upward direction along the transverse direction T, first and second side walls26cand26dthat extend upward from the floor26ato the ceiling26balong the transverse direction T and are spaced from each other along the lateral direction A, and a front wall26eand a rear wall26fthat extend up from the floor26ato the ceiling26balong the transverse direction T and are spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L such that the front wall26eis spaced from the rear wall26fin the forward direction. The portable data center24can be configured as a shipping container, and can for instance be sized as a twenty foot equivalent unit shipping container (TEU) or alternatively sized as desired.

Referring now toFIGS. 1A-3B, the portable data center24further includes a plurality of rack systems32disposed in the computing room28and supported, directly or indirectly, by the floor26a. Each rack system32includes a rack housing34and a respective rack36supported by the rack housing34. Each rack system32can further include at least one computing device38such as a plurality of computing devices38that are configured to be mounted to the rack36. For instance, each rack36can define a plurality of bays37that are each configured to receive a computing device38that is supported by the rack36, though it should be appreciated that the rack36can define any suitable alternative shape and size as desired so as to support the computing devices38in any alternative manner as desired. Each rack system32can further include one or more brackets41that attach the rack housing34to the floor26aof the computing housing26, or any suitable support surface as desired, or the rack housings34can be free standing on the floor26aof the computing housing26or any suitable support surface as desired.

It should be appreciated that, depending on a desired storage capacity of the portable data center, the portable data center24can be equipped with any number of computing devices38as desired up to the capacity of the portable data center24. Accordingly, one or more of the rack systems32up to all of the rack systems32can include at least one computing devices38supported by respective rack36. For instance, one or more of the rack systems32up to all of the rack systems32can include a plurality of computing devices38supported in a corresponding one of each of the bays37of the rack system32. Furthermore, one or more of the rack systems32can be devoid of computing devices38if desired.

In one embodiment, the computing devices38may comprise one or more servers configured to store data. In one embodiment, these servers may be configures as disk storage. As a further example of a disk storage device, the computing devices38may be configured as a set of low cost disk memories wherein sets of disks within the computing device38may be in operation while at least one other set of disks in computing device38are not in operation. In such an example, operating only a portion of the disks in example computing devices38may provide energy consumption benefits.

In another embodiment, computing devices38may comprise a higher speed memory, such as a block-level storage service. A block-level storage service may process requests to read to and write from disk via a network link. In effect, storage drivers of other computing devices may access the block-level storage service as if the block-level storage service were a local disk. The block-level storage service may present a network-mountable storage volume to these other computing devices, and these other computing devices may mount this network-mountable storage volume, and issue requests to read to and write from this volume as if it were a local disk. In an embodiment, the computing devices38may comprise a combination of low and high speed (or high IOPS, or other metric) memory devices. As such, as one example, data may be loaded onto the high speed memory devices during connection with the building at the customer location and, after being detached from building, the memory may be transferred from the high speed devices to the low speed devices.

The plurality of rack systems32can include a first at least one rack system32a, which can be a network rack system, that includes a respective first rack of the plurality of racks36, and at least one computing device38, which can be configured as at least one network device38a, supported by the first rack of the first at least one rack system32a. For instance, the first at least one rack system32acan include a plurality of network devices38asupported by the respective first rack of the first at least one rack system32a. The network devices38acan include, as an example, an aggregation layer, a control server, patch panels, out-of-band router, a switch panel, system management hosts, security systems, and any additional devices a desired. The plurality of rack systems32can further include a second at least one rack system32b, such as a plurality of second at least one rack systems32b, that each includes a respective second rack of the plurality of racks36and at least one computing device38such as a plurality of computing devices38, which can be configured as data storage devices38b, supported on the respective second rack of the plurality of racks36. The first at least one rack system32acan be disposed at the rear end of the computing room26, and the second at least one rack systems32bcan be disposed forward from the first at least one rack system32a. It should be appreciated that one or more network devices38acan be supported on the respective racks36of the plurality of second at least one rack system32b, and one or more data storage devices can be supported on the rack36of the first at least one rack system32aas desired.

Each of the rack systems32can further include at least one data bus29, which can be supported by the corresponding rack housing34. The at least one data bus29of each of the rack systems32are configured to be placed in communication with the respective computing devices38supported by the rack36of the respective rack system32. The at least one data busses29of the first at least one rack system32ais configured to be placed in communication with each of the data busses of the second plurality of rack systems32b. Accordingly, the at least one data storage device38bsupported by the racks36of the second plurality of rack systems32bare configured to be placed in communication with the at least one network device38a. As will be appreciated below, the at least one network device38ais configured to route data to be stored on preselected ones of the data storage devices38bpursuant to any suitable data storage protocol as desired.

As will be appreciated further from the description below, the a mobile vehicle22, and thus the portable data center24supported by the mobile vehicle22, is configured to be transported to a remote destination location, which can be a client location48, in response to a data storage request that is received from a client. The portable data center24can include a data port50that extends through the data center housing23and is configured to be connected to, and thus placed in connection with, a hardwire communication line52that is further configured to be connected, directly or indirectly, to the at least one client computing device98at the client location48, which can be configured as a data center. The hardwire communication line52can be a fiber optic cable, co-axial cable, Ethernet cable, or any suitable alternatively constructed hardwire communication line suitable to transmit data from the client location48to the portable data center24. Thus, the data port50is configured to receive data from the client at the client location over the hardwire communication line52. In particular, the data can be received from at least one client computing device98at the client location48that is also connected to the hardwire communication line52, alone or in combination with at least one or more computing devices at a location that is remote from the client location48but networked with one or more computing devices at the client location48. The client location48can be a building96, and the at least one client computing device98can be located anywhere in the building or at any other location that is in communication with a network in the building. The data port50can extend through the first side24cof the portable data center24, for instance at the rear of the first side24c, so as to be disposed adjacent the first at least one rack system32a. The data port50is in communication with the at least one network device38a, such that the network device38ais configured to route the received data to at least one of the data storage devices38b, such as respective ones of the computing devices38supported by the racks36of the second plurality of rack systems32b. In accordance with one embodiment, the hardwire communication line52can be connected to a data port of the building96, which in turn is connected to the at least one client computing device98over another hardwire communication line so as to permit data communications between at least one of the computing devices, for instance the at least one network device38a, and the at least one client computing device98of the client. The portable data center24can further include a protective shroud51that at least partially or entirely surrounds the data port50and can protect the data port50from climactic elements, including snow and rain. It should be appreciated that the portable data center24can further include wireless communication modules suitable to communicate with a remote location, for instance to receive control information from the remote location. The control information can include data management information, such as storage protocol that manages the distribution of data from the network devices38ato the data storage devices38b, or any suitable alternative information related to the operation of the portable data center24.

With continuing reference toFIGS. 1A-3B, the portable data center24can further include at least one electrical power source40that is configured to provide power to at least a plurality of the computing devices38, including each of the computing devices38. In accordance with one embodiment, the at least one electrical power source40can be configured as an on-board electrical power source that does not receive electrical power from the mobile vehicle22, but rather generates its own electrical power and transmits the generated power to the computing devices38. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the at least one electrical power source40is configured as any suitable electrical generator42as desired, such as an engine-generator that includes a fuel port42athat can extend through the data center housing23, and configured is to receive fuel such as diesel fuel. The electrical generator42can be configured to convert combustion of the fuel to electrical power. The electrical generator42can include an exhaust port42bthat extends through the data center housing23, and is configured to emit fuel combustion exhaust out of the exhaust port42b. It should be appreciated that the portable data center24can include any number of electrical generators, alternative electrical power sources, or combinations thereof, as desired. Alternatively, the at least one electrical power source40can receive some or all of the power to be supplied to the computing devices can be provided by the mobile vehicle22as desired. The at least one electrical power source40can be disposed at the front end of the portable data center24, and the front end24aof the portable data center24can define a removable access panel to access the electrical generator42, for instance for repairs. Alternatively, the electrical power source40can be provided by the engine of the vehicle22, such that power from the engine is delivered to the computing devices38.

Each of the rack systems32can thus further include at least one power distribution unit44that is placed in electrical communication with an electrical output43of the at least one electrical power source40, and with one or more up to all of the computing devices38supported on the corresponding rack36. The power distribution units44are configured to receive output power from the at least one electrical power source40, and supply the received output power to the computing devices38during operation. Thus, the at least one electrical power source40is in electrical communication with the at least one network device38aand the plurality of data storage devices38b, so as to supply electrical power to the at least one network device38aand the plurality of data storage devices38b. The at least one electrical power source40can further include at least one backup electrical power source46, which can be configured as at least one electrochemical battery power source that is in electrical communication with the at least one network device38aand the plurality of data storage devices38b. For instance, each of the rack systems32can include a respective backup electrical power source46that can be supported by the rack housing34and placed in electrical communication with each of the computing devices38supported by the rack housing34. The computing devices38can receive electrical power from the respective backup electrical power source46so as to receive electrical power from the backup electrical power source46during a period of failure of the on-board power source. The backup power source can be configured as a lithium-ion backup power source or any suitable alternative backup power source as desired.

With continuing reference toFIGS. 1A-3B, the portable data center24can include an entry door56that defines at least a portion of the rear wall26fof the computing housing26, and is movable between an open position and a closed position so as to allow selective ingress and egress into and out of the computing room28. It should be appreciated that the entry door56can be surrounded by a rear wall of the support housing30or not, and that a portion of the rear wall26fof the computing housing26that does not, each of the rack systems32can be disposed adjacent one of the walls of the computing housing, such as one of the first and second side walls26cand26d. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, each of the rack systems32is disposed adjacent the first side wall26c. The rack systems32are thus adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction L. Accordingly, each of the rack systems32defines a front end33athat faces the second side wall26dand a rear end33bthat faces the first side wall26cand is disposed closer to the first side wall26cthan the front end33ais spaced from the second side wall26dalong the lateral direction A. In order to maximize space in the computing room28, it may be desirable to place the rack systems32as close to the first side wall26cas desired.

The portable data center24can include an entry door56that defines at least a portion of the rear wall26fof the computing housing26, and is movable between an open position and a closed position so as to allow selective ingress and egress into and out of the computing room28. It should be appreciated that the entry door56can be surrounded by the rear support wall30for not, and that a portion of the rear wall26fof the computing housing26that does not define the entry door can be surrounded by the rear support wall30fof the support housing30. The computing room28defines an access aisle58that can extend between the rack systems32and the second side wall along the lateral direction A, between the rear wall26fand the front wall26ealong the lateral direction A, and between the floor26aand the ceiling26balong the transverse direction T. Thus, a user positioned in the access aisle58can have access to the front ends33aof the rack systems32, for instance when installing and removing computing devices38in and from the racks36. The entry door56can be configured as first and second entry panels56aand56bof the data center housing23that are pivotally movable along respective pivot axes that can be oriented in the transverse direction T, though it should be appreciated that the entry door56can alternatively move between the open and closed positions in any manner desired. For instance, the entry door56can pivot along any suitable alternatively oriented axis between the open position and the closed position, translate horizontally or vertically between the open position and the closed position, or can ride along one or more tracks between the open position and the closed position as desired.

Furthermore, the data center housing can include at least one access door27, which can be defined by the first side wall26, that can be moved between an open and a closed position. When the access door27is in the closed position, the access door27prevents access to the rack systems32and protects the rack systems from the ambient environment outside the portable data center24. When the access door27is in the open position, the rear end33bof the rack systems32can be accessed through an opening that extends through the data center housing23. Because the data busses29and the power distribution units44can be disposed behind the rear ends33b, that is between the rear ends33band the first side wall26c, the power distribution units44and data busses29can be easily accessed when the access door27is in the open position. For instance, when installing the computing devices38in the respective racks36and removing computing devices from the respective racks36, access can facilitate connection and disconnection of the power distribution units44and data busses29to and from the respective computing devices38to be installed and removed, respectively.

In accordance with one embodiment, the access door27can be defined by the first side wall26cof the computing housing26, and can be moved between the open and closed positions in accordance with any desired embodiment. For instance, the access door27can move pivotally between the open and closed positions, can translate horizontally or vertically between the open and closed positions, or can ride along one or more tracks54between the open and closed positions. Each of the tracks can define a first portion54athat extends substantially along the transverse direction T, a second portion54bthat extends substantially along the lateral direction A at a location below the ceiling26b, and a transition portion54c, which can be curved, that extends between the first portion54aand the second portion54b. Thus, when the access door27is in the closed position supported by the one or more tracks54, the access door is oriented substantially along a first plane that is defined by the transverse direction T and the longitudinal direction L. When the access door27is in the open position supported by the one or more tracks54, the access door is oriented in a second plane that is angularly offset from the first plane. For instance, the second plane can be defined by the lateral direction A and the longitudinal direction L. Thus, an access opening extends through the data center housing23along the transverse direction between the access door27and the floor26a. The access door27can be defined by first and second access panels27aand27b, or any number of access panels as desired, that are configured to ride along respective tracks between the open and closed positions so as to provide selective access to respective first and second ones of the plurality of rack systems32. In particular, the first and second access panels27aand27bare spaced from each other along the longitudinal direction L. Because the access door27is positioned above the rack systems32when in the open position, all computing devices38of rack systems32are accessible through the opening defined by the first side24cof the portable data center24when the access door27is in the open position.

With continuing reference toFIGS. 1A-7, the computing room28, and thus the portable data center24, can further include a heat removal system60that is configured to receive heat from the computing devices and expel the heat out the portable data center24. The heat removal system60can include a first at least one air intake61that extends through the computing housing26a first location of the computing housing26so as to place the computing room28in fluid communication with an ambient environment outside the portable data center24for air intake from the ambient environment. The heat removal system60can further include a first at least one air outlet63that extends through the computing housing26at a second location of the computing housing26that is different than the first location so as to place the computing room28in fluid communication with the ambient environment outside the portable data center24for air exhaust into the ambient environment. Accordingly, as will be described in more detail below, the computing devices38are configured to draw the ambient air through the at least one air intake61and expel the drawn air out the air outlet63.

Referring now toFIG. 7, the computing devices38can each include an outer housing62that contains a plurality of electrical components64of the computing device38. For instance, electrical components64can include one or more hard drives64a, processors64b, and memory modules64c. Each of the electrical components64can produce heat during operation of the computing device38. The computing devices38can further include at least one air intake66athat can be configured as a vent that extends through the outer housing62, at least one air outlet66bthat can be configured as a vent that extends through the outer housing62, and at least one fan such as a plurality of internal fans66cthat are configured to draw air from the computing room28through the air intake66a. The drawn air travels through the outer housing62and is exhausted from the outer housing62through the air outlet66b, and subsequently out the computing housing26out the at least one air outlet63. As the air travels through the outer housing62, heat is transferred from the electrical components64to the air, thereby removing heat from the electrical components64. Accordingly, the temperature of the air is increased as it travels through the outer housing62. Because the air that exists the outer housing62has a temperature greater than the air before being drawn into the outer housing62, the air can be referred to as cool air prior to being drawn through the computing devices38, and can be referred to as warm air after being exhausted from the outer housing62.

Referring again toFIGS. 1A-6generally, the support structure30at least partially encapsulates the computing housing26so as to define a plenum31that is defined between the support structure30and the computing housing26. The support structure30can include a support base30athat supports the computing housing26. The support base30is configured to be supported on the mobile vehicle22during data communications between the portable data center24and the at least one client computing device98of the client at the client location48. For instance, the support member of the mobile vehicle can be a flatbed, for instance when the mobile vehicle is configured as a truck, or can be any suitable alternative support member that has sufficient strength to support the portable data center24.

The support structure30can further include at least one support wall30bwhich can include at least one upstanding wall that extends up from the support base30a, such as at least one or more up to all of first and second side support walls30cand30d, a front support wall30e, and an rear support wall30f, that extend up from the support base30a. The at least one support wall30b, and thus the support structure30, can further include a top support wall30g, such that the at least one upstanding wall extends between the support base30aand the top support wall30g. The at least one support wall30b, and thus the support structure30, can include a front end, which can be defined by the front wall30e, and a rear end, which can be defined by the rear support wall30f, that is spaced from the front end along a longitudinal direction L. The at least one support wall30b, and thus the support structure30, can further define first and second sides, which can be defined by the first and second side support walls30cand30d, that are spaced from each other along a lateral direction A that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L. The at least one support wall30b, and thus the support structure30can further define a top end, which can be defined by the top support wall30g, and a bottom end, which can be defined by the support base30a, that is spaced from the top end along a transverse direction T that is substantially perpendicular to each of the longitudinal direction L and the lateral direction A.

The air intake61can include at least one first air intake vent68, such as a plurality of first air intake vents68, that extend through the support structure30but not through the computing housing26, and thus are configured to place the ambient environment in fluid communication69(FIG. 6) with the plenum31that is defined between the support structure30and the computing housing26. The air intake61can include at least one second air intake vent70, such as a plurality of second air intake vents70, that extend through the computing housing26but not that support structure30so as to place the plenum31in fluid communication71(FIG. 6) with the computing room28. The first and second air intake vents68and70can be disposed at any suitable location as desired. For instance, the first location of the first air intake vents68can extend through at least one side support wall of the support structure, such as the second side support wall30d. For instance, a portion of the plenum31can be defined between the computing housing26and each of the support base30aand the at least one side support wall, which can include the second side support wall30d. The second location of the second air intake vents70can extend through the floor26a, which can be positioned over the support base30asuch that another portion of the plenum31is defined between the support base30aand the floor26a. It should be appreciated, of course, that first location of the first air intake vents68can extend through any location of the support structure30, and the second location of the second air intake vents70can extend through any location of the computing housing26. The second air intake vents70can thus be configured as openings, for instance perforated openings, that extend through the floor26a. Alternatively or additionally, the second air intake vents70can be configured as towers that project from the floor26atoward the ceiling26b, and define air outlets that are aligned with the air intakes66aof the respective computing devices38of respective ones of the rack systems32. During operation, the air intakes66areceive air from the ambient environment that is drawn into the computing room28through the second air intake vents70.

Each of the second air intake vents70can be aligned with at least a respective one of the rack systems32with respect to the lateral direction A. Furthermore, the portable data center24can include any number of first and second air intake vents68and70as desired. For instance, the portable data center24can include an equal number of second vents70and rack systems32, such that each of the second air intake vents70is aligned with a respective one of the rack systems32along the lateral direction. Similarly the portable data center24can include an equal number of first air intake vents68, second air intake vents70and rack systems32.

Alternatively, the first and second air intake vents68and70can be aligned so as to define a continuous opening that extends through both the support structure30and the computing housing26. Alternatively or additionally, the air intake61can include at least one single vent, such as a plurality of single vents, that extend through the computing housing26at a location that is not surrounded by the support structure30so as to place the computing room28in direct fluid communication with the ambient environment.

During operation, fans of the portable data center24, which can include the respective internal fans66cof the computing devices38, including the network devices38aand the computing devices38mounted in the respective racks36, alone or in combination with additional fans in the computing room28, induce a negative pressure within the computing room28and the plenum31, so as to draw ambient through the first and second air intake vents68and70, and into the computing room28. The plenum31can be enclosed by the computing housing26and the support housing30, with the exception of the first air intake vents68, such that the induced negative pressure causes air from the ambient environment to be drawn through the first air intake vents68and into the plenum31. Further, the internal fans66cof the computing devices38force the exhaust air out of the housing62through the air outlet66bafter the air has received heat that was transferred to the air from the electrical components64. The air intake66aand the air outlet66bcan be positioned such that the drawn air flows over one or more, up to all, of the heat producing electrical components64in the housing62, such that heat is dissipated from the electrical components64.

Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 6, the portable data center24can further include at least one chimney72having at least one chimney intake72athat is positioned to receive the expelled air that is expelled from the computing devices38, and in particular from the internal fans66c, a chimney outlet72bthat is aligned with the air outlet63, and a chimney conduit72cthat places the at least one chimney intake72ain fluid communication with the chimney outlet72b. For instance, the portable data center24can include a plurality of chimneys72each dedicated to one or more of the rack systems32, such that the chimneys72include chimney intakes72athat are aligned with respective ones of the computing devices38(or bays37that are configured to receive the computing devices38), and thus positioned to receive the warm air that is expelled from the air outlet66bof the computing devices38. For instance, at least a portion up to an entirety of the chimney intakes72acan be aligned with at least a portion up to an entirety of the air outlet66bof at least one of the computing devices38. During operation, the internal fans66cof the computing devices induce a positive pressure in a region between the computing devices38and the first side wall26cof the computing housing26, which causes the warm air to flow into the chimney intakes72a, through the chimney conduit72c, and out the chimney outlet72b.

The air outlet63of the heat removal system60can include at least one air outlet vent74, such as a plurality of air outlet vents74, that extend through the computing housing26so as to place the computing room28in fluid communication75(FIG. 6) with the ambient environment. For instance, in accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the at least one air outlet vent74can extend through the first side26cof the computing housing26, which, in accordance with one embodiment, can be defined by the at least one access door27(seeFIG. 4). Thus, the air outlet vents74can be disposed on the same side of the computing room as the exhaust port42bof the electrical generator42. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the number of air outlet vents74can equal the number of rack systems32and chimneys72, though it should be appreciated that the portable data center24can include any number of air outlet vents74as desired. Further, it should be appreciated that the air outlet vents74can alternatively extend through the computing housing26and into the plenum31, such that air exhausted out the air outlet vents74is expelled into the plenum. The at least one air outlet63can include at least one second air outlet vent that extends through the support housing30so as to place the plenum31in fluid communication with the ambient environment such that the warm air in the plenum31is expelled out the second air outlet vent. It should be appreciated that the plenum can thus be compartmentalized so as to define a cold air section that is in fluid communication with the first and second air intake vents68and70, but sealed from the air outlet vents74, and a warm air section that is in fluid communication with the air outlet vents74and the at least one second air outlet vent, but sealed from the first and second air intake vents68and70. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, the chimney outlets72bare spaced below the ceiling26bsuch that the access door27is disposed between the chimney outlets72bant the ceiling26bwhen the access door27is in the open position.

One or more up to all of the first and second air intake vents68and70and the air outlet vents74can include louvers76that are movable between an open position and a closed position. For instance, when the louvers76of the first air intake vents68are in the closed position, the plenum31is isolated from the ambient environment with respect to airflow. Thus, the computing room28is isolated from the ambient environment with respect to airflow. When the louvers76of the first air intake vents68are in the open position, the plenum31is placed in fluid communication with the ambient environment in the manner described above. Thus, the computing room28is placed in fluid communication with the ambient environment. It should be appreciated that the second air intake vents70can also include louvers76, if it is desired to provide redundant isolation between the computing room28and the ambient environment when the louvers76of the second air intake vents70are in the closed position, which would further isolate the computing room28from the plenum31with respect to airflow. When the louvers76of the second air intake vents70are in the open position, the computing room28is placed in fluid communication with the plenum31in the manner described above. Similarly still, when the louvers76of the air outlet vents74are in the closed position, the computing room28is isolated from the ambient environment with respect to airflow. When the louvers76of the air outlet vents74are in the open position, the computing room28is placed in fluid communication with the ambient environment in the manner described above. During operation of the computing devices38, the louvers76are in the open position such that the fans of the portable data center24can draw the cool ambient air into the computing room28, circulate the air through the computing devices38, and exhaust warm air out of the computing room28in the manner described above. When the computing devices are off, the louvers76can be closed to protect the computing room28from ambient elements, for instance during transport of the mobile data storage system20. For example, variations in the With continuing reference toFIGS. 1A-6, it is recognized that vibration forces will be imparted onto the mobile vehicle22and the portable data center24during transport of the mobile data storage system. Even though the computing devices38can be turned off and unpowered during transport, it can still be desirable to reduce the vibration forces that are communicated to the computing devices38and corresponding electrical components64, such as the hard drives64a(seeFIG. 7). Accordingly, the portable data center24can include a vibration management assembly80that is configured to absorb vibration forces imparted onto the mobile vehicle22, such that vibration forces received by the at least one data storage device is less than the vibration forces imparted onto the mobile vehicle22. Further, vibration forces that can be imparted onto the portable data center during upload of data from the client location and subsequent download of data to the data center, for instance due to ambient weather conditions, can be absorbed by the vibration management assembly80so as to minimize instances of vibration-induced disk write error.

The vibration management assembly80includes at least one vibration dampener82such as a plurality of vibration dampeners that are supported in the plenum31and coupled between the support base30aand the computing housing26, such as the floor26aof the computing housing26. Each of the vibration dampeners82can have a spring constant as desired so as to reduce the vibrations imparted onto the support base30athat are communicated to the computing housing26, and thus the computing devices38. In accordance with one embodiment, the vibration dampeners82define a first plurality of vibration dampeners that are supported in the plenum31between the support base30aand the computing housing26. For instance, the vibration dampeners82can extend from the support base30ato the floor26a. Thus, the vibration dampeners82are configured to absorb at least a portion of vibrational forces that have a directional component in the transverse direction T.

The vibration management assembly80can further include a second plurality of vibration dampeners84that are supported in the plenum between the at least one side support wall, for instance each of the side support walls30cand30d, and the computing housing26. For instance, one or more up to all of the second plurality of vibration dampeners84can extend from the first side support wall30cto the first side wall26cof the computing housing26. Alternatively or additionally, one or more up to all of the second plurality of vibration dampeners84can extend from the second side support wall30dto the second side wall26dof the computing housing26. Thus, the second plurality of vibration dampeners84are configured to absorb at least a portion of vibrational forces that have a directional component in the lateral direction A.

The vibration management assembly80can further include a third plurality of vibration dampeners86that are supported in the plenum31between one or both of the front and rear support walls30eand30f, respectively, and the computing housing26. For instance, one or more up to all of the third plurality of vibration dampeners86can extend from the front support wall30eto the front wall26eof the computing housing26. Alternatively or additionally, one or more up to all of the third plurality of vibration dampeners86can extend from the rear support wall30fto the rear wall26fof the computing housing26. Thus, the third plurality of vibration dampeners84are configured to absorb at least a portion of vibrational forces that have a directional component in the longitudinal direction L.

The vibration management assembly80can further include a fourth plurality of vibration dampeners88that are supported in the plenum31between the top support wall30gand the computing housing26. For instance, the fourth plurality of vibration dampeners88can extend from the top support wall30gto the ceiling26bof the computing housing26. Thus, the fourth plurality of vibration dampeners88are configured to absorb at least a portion of vibrational forces that have a directional component in the transverse direction T.

The vibration dampeners82can be made from any suitable polymeric or alternative material as desired. It is appreciated that the vibration management assembly80can include different numbers of the vibration dampeners82-88, spaced apart from each other at different distances. For instance, because the vibration dampeners82support substantially an entirety of the weight of the computing room28, the vibration dampeners82can define a density that is greater than that of each of the second, third, and fourth plurality of vibration dampeners84to88. In accordance with the illustrated embodiment, adjacent ones of the vibration dampeners82are spaced from each other a distance that is less than the distance of adjacent ones of one or more up to all of the second plurality of dampeners84, the third plurality of dampeners86, and the fourth plurality of dampeners88. Further, the spring constant of each of the plurality of vibration dampeners82can be different than the respective spring constant of one or more up to all of the second plurality of dampeners84, the third plurality of dampeners86, and the fourth plurality of dampeners88. The spring constants of one or more up to all of the second plurality of dampeners84, the third plurality of dampeners86, and the fourth plurality of dampeners88can be equal to or different than the spring constants of one or more other up to all others of the second plurality of dampeners84, the third plurality of dampeners86, and the fourth plurality of dampeners88.

The vibration management assembly80can further include at least one vibration sensor90that can be mounted anywhere in the computing room28as desired. For instance, the vibration sensor90can be configured as a piezoelectric sensor that can be configured to provide feedback that indicates measured vibration levels of the computing room28. For instance, the vibration sensor90, or a controller that receives electrical outputs from the vibration sensor90, can activate an alarm if the measured vibration in the computing room28is greater than a preset threshold, an alarm can be activated.

Referring again toFIGS. 1A-6, a method100is provided for uploading data from a remote client location to a data storage device, such as the data storage devices38b. The method can include the step102of receiving a data storage request from a client who is located remote from the portable data center24, that is a sufficiently far distance from the portable data center24to prevent a hardware communication line from extending from a computing device of the client, from which data is to be stored, to the data port50. It is appreciated that the data storage request can generally be of data that is sufficiently large that the transmission of the data over the Internet would be cost-excessive, time excessive, or both, compared to the time and cost to transport the portable data center to the client location and transmit the data to the computing devices38over the hardwire communication line52. For instance, the data can be on the order of hundreds of gigabytes, terabytes, or even petabytes. In this regard, the computing devices38, and in particular the data storage devices38b, can have a cumulative data storage capacity as desired, for instance on the order of hundreds of gigabytes, terabytes, or even petabytes.

In response to the data storage request, the portable data center24which can be configured as a non-vehicular portable data center as described above, can be relocated, if necessary, to the mobile vehicle22. Alternatively, the portable data center24can be supported by the mobile vehicle22prior to receipt of the data storage request. Next, at step104, the mobile vehicle22can be transported from an origination location to a destination location, which can be defined by a remote location92of the client, while the portable data center24is supported by the mobile vehicle22. The location92of the client can be the client location48that originated the data storage request, or a different location of the client. During transportation of the mobile data storage system20, the method can include the step106of absorbing vibration forces imparted onto the mobile vehicle22at the vibration dampeners, such that vibration forces received by the at least one data storage device38b, such as a plurality of the data storage devices38b, are less than the vibration forces imparted onto the mobile vehicle22.

The location92can be defined by a building96that houses at least one client computing device98of the client that is configured to transmit the data to be stored on one or more of the computing devices38of the portable data center24. Once the portable data center24has been transported to the location92, the hardwire communication line52can be connected to, for instance plugged into, the data port50, thereby placing the rack systems32in electrical communication with the at least one client computing device98of the client. Next, the portable data center24can receive data from at least one computing device at the location92of the client over the hardwire communication line52at step108. The received data can be stored on one or more of the storage devices28bat step110. The network devices38acan route the received data to any one or more of the computing devices38in accordance with any suitable data storage protocol as desired. Thus, the method can further include the step of routing the received data, at the network devices38asupported in the portable data center24. Further, only those computing devices38that are identified to store data can be activated as desired, thereby conserving electrical power.

The method can further include the step111of activating the heat removal system60so as to draw cool ambient air through the computing devices. Step112can occur at any time during method100as desired, for instance after step104. For instance, the step112can include the step of opening the louvers76to their respective open positions. Accordingly, during operation of the computing devices38, and in particular during the transfer of data from the at least one client computing device98and the portable data center24, the method can further include the step of drawing cool ambient air through the air intake61into the computing room28. It should be appreciated that the air intake61can include any suitable filtration media as desired that can prevent certain particulates from entering the air intake61. The drawing step can include the step of drawing air, such as ambient air from the ambient environment, through the support structure30and into the plenum31, for instance through the plurality of first air intake vents68, and directing the drawn ambient air from the plenum31into the computing room28, for instance through the second plurality of intake vents70. The method can further include the step of drawing the air through active ones of the computing devices38. For instance, the method can include the step of actuating a fan in the data storage devices38bso as to induce a negative pressure in the computing room28that draws the ambient air into the plenum31, and further draws air in the computing room28into the data storage devices38b. While the air is in the data storage devices38b, the method can further include the step of transferring heat from the data storage devices38bto the drawn air, and exhausting the drawn air out the computing room28. The exhausting step can include the step of expelling the drawn air out of the computing devices38and the chimney72, and directing the air out of the chimney72, for instance out of the chimney outlet72band out of the portable data center24in the manner described above.

After the data received from the at least one client computing device98of the client has been stored in the computing devices38, the method can include the step112of transporting the vehicle to a data center building that includes a plurality of rack systems of the type described above with respect to the rack systems32. It is appreciated that the method100can include the step of deactivating the heat removal system60, for instance by closing the louvers76can be closed and discontinuing electrical power from one or more up to all of the computing devices38prior to transporting the mobile data storage system from the location92.

Once the portable data center24has been transported to the data center building, the method100can include the step114of transmitting at least a portion or an entirety of the data stored on the computing devices38, and in particular at least a select one or ones of the data storage devices38b, to at least one data storage device housed in the data center building. For instance, the select ones of the computing devices38that have stored at least a portion of the data from the client can be removed from the portable data center24and installed in the racks of the data center building, such that the select ones of the computing devices38are of the data center building. For instance, the access door27can be moved to its open position, and the data bus29and the power distribution unit44can be decoupled from the select ones of the computing devices38. Next, the select ones of the computing devices38can be removed from the respective racks36, transported into the data center building, and installed in any one of a plurality of racks of the data center building. Alternatively, a hard wire communication line can be established from the portable data center24, for instance from the data port50, to one or more computing devices in the data center building, so as to transmit the stored data from the select ones of the computing devices38to one or more computing devices housed in the data center building over the hardwire communication line. It is contemplated that the costs associated with transporting the portable data center24to the client location48, receiving the data to be stored at the portable data center24, transporting the portable data center24to the data center building, and transmitting the stored data to the one or more computing devices housed in the data center building can be less costly than transmitting the data to be stored to one or more computing devices of a data center over the internet, particularly when a large volume of data is to be stored.

It should be appreciated that transporting the portable data center24to the location92, to the data center building, or both, can involve transportation on land, air transportation, water transportation, or combinations of the above. Accordingly, the transporting step can be via the mobile vehicle that can be configured as a land vehicle, such as a truck, train, or any alternative suitably constructed land vehicle, an air vehicle such as an airplane, a water vehicle such as a ship, or combinations thereof. For instance, a land vehicle can transport the portable data center24to a body of water or an airport, and the portable data center can be transferred to a water vehicle or an air vehicle, respectively. After the portable data center24has been transported over the body of water or through the air, the portable data center24can again be transferred to a land vehicle and transported to the location92of the client or location of the data center building.

It is further recognized that multiple data storage requests to store data can be received from multiple clients. Accordingly, after storing the data received at the location92of the client and before transporting the portable data center24to the data center building, the method can include the step116of transporting the mobile vehicle22, and thus the portable data center24, from the location92to a second destination location of a second client. The method thus can include the step of, at the portable data center24, receiving data from at least one computing device of the second client over a hardwire communication line, and storing, on at least one of the data storage devices38bof the portable data center24, the data received from the second client. The above steps can be repeated for a third client, fourth client, and any number of clients as desired, prior to transporting the portable data center24to the data center building and transferring the stored data to at least one data storage device of the data center building. As described above, data may be loaded onto the high speed memory devices during connection with the building and, after being detached from building, memory may be transferred from the high speed to the low speed devices. As such, if for example, data storage in mobile vehicle22is retrieving from two or more locations, the total time for connection to each client location may be reduced. Further, it should be appreciated in one embodiment that the data received from the each client can be stored on separate computing devices38, such that no computing device includes stored data from more than one client. In another embodiment, the data from each client can be independently encrypted using any suitable encryption protocol as desired. Thus, the data from each client can be segregated from the data from all other clients.

It should be noted that the illustrations and discussions of the embodiments shown in the figures are for exemplary purposes only, and should not be construed limiting the disclosure. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates various embodiments. Additionally, it should be understood that the concepts described above with the above-described embodiments may be employed alone or in combination with any of the other embodiments described above. It should further be appreciated that the various alternative embodiments described above with respect to one illustrated embodiment can apply to all embodiments as described herein, unless otherwise indicated.