Google Patents Shipping-Container Data Centers 207
theodp writes "Two years ago, Robert X. Cringely wrote that Google was experimenting with portable data centers built in standard shipping containers. The idea, Cringely explained, wasn't new and wasn't even Google's, backing up his claim with a link to an Internet-Archive-in-a-Shipping-Container presentation (PDF, dated 11-8-2003) that was reportedly pitched to Larry Page. Google filed for a patent on essentially the same concept on 12-30-2003. And on Tuesday, the USPTO issued the search giant a patent for Modular Data Centers housed in shipping containers, which Google curiously notes facilitate 'rapid and easy relocation to another site depending on changing economic factors'. That's a statement that may make those tax-abating NC officials a tad uneasy."
Think I'll invest in a big rig truck... (Score:4, Funny)
Server Farm in a Trailer Park? (Score:5, Funny)
I'm sorry, but white trash nerds have been doing this for a long time.
the history of the internet (Score:5, Funny)
1987: first worm made. internet communication not guaranteed anymore
2007: in the event of communication problems, one of the world's most powerful companies will mobilize their TPT (trail park technology) army
2027: warhol virus takes out entire web, needs to rebuilt from scratch with ipv8
2047: in the event of worldwide internet outage, GoogleMicrosoftApple will deploy nuclear warheads to silence virus spewing nodes. the circle is complete
Re:Oops! (Score:5, Funny)
Nonetheless, I can humbly state that I'm something of an inventor myself. For the past several years, I've been developing a concept which involves assembling computers in 4-foot by 6-foot containers. I know, it sounds incredible, but it is actually possible (despite the intuitive difficulty).
I'm looking to monetize the idea, so if you're interested please contact me about patent licensing and such.
Dr. Hansel Hanselsonson, PhD
hanselsonson@ingenious-inventions-seriously.com
Re:Oops! (Score:3, Funny)
If Sun started in, say, 2000 (I don't know when they did start) then yes, it could be prior art depending on what the patent covers exactly.
But, if the patent covers something a bit more specific than "computers hooked up in a shipping crate" then it is possible that black box doesn't infringe on this patent, and isn't prior art.
(IANAL, so copious amounts of sodium chloride recommended with this post.)
Re:Think I'll invest in a big rig truck... (Score:2, Funny)
I was planning on a series of tubes with which to funnel the data centers out, but they might get stuck behind enormous amounts of material.
Tubes? (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Think I'll invest in a big rig truck... (Score:4, Funny)
Re:The non-Useful Part (Score:3, Funny)
A Quick Google... (Score:4, Funny)
OK, I don't think they're quite THAT bad.. YET... I'm sure the guy granting the patent put almost exactly that much effort into his research as well...
Re:Think I'll invest in a big rig truck... (Score:5, Funny)
And you wouldn't? Come on, do you have any idea how much porn one of these shipping containers could store? I bet I could fit my entire collection in like, just three or four of them.
Re:the history of the internet (Score:2, Funny)
In other news... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Oops! (Score:1, Funny)
Quite the opposite, I already claimed I have no such skill, and I am only personally able to conceive of doing so in a smaller, 4' x 6' x 4.3881' container. This undertaking alone is within my grasp.
Dr. Hansel Hanselsonson, PhD