Earthquakes and data centers

Many data centers use seismic isolation technology to protect racks and servers in the event of a major earthquake.

By Source: Data Center Knowledge April 5, 2010

Yesterday’s magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Baja California was felt in large portions of Southern California. It rattled nerves and shook up some equipment as well.

"Our data center had servers rolling back and forth on earthquake gliders," reported Jake Duncan, manager at ProtectRite of Encinitas, Calif. (a San Diego suburb) on his Twitter stream. "It was intense … All employees working today ran to parking lot. Pictures toppled on desks and server safety systems engaged."

Earthquake gliders? Many data centers use seismic isolation technology to protect racks and servers in the event of a major earthquake. Last year Dylan Mason of WorkSafe provided a demonstration of his company’s ISO-Base platforms, which sit under the data center racks and allow them to shift independently of the building during an earthquake, reducing damage.

Read the full article from Data Center Knowledge and watch a 2-minute video from TechFlash provides an example of how these systems work.