Slideshow: Facebook remakes the server

10/3/2012 12:09 PM EDT

Cool slide deck Rick...rare case of being able to see inside a hardware box!

10/3/2012 3:32 PM EDT

This is the same technology that used in backbone servers.

10/3/2012 3:38 PM EDT

I used a link checker: dklafjs's link takes you to http://applehaters.blogspot.com/

10/3/2012 3:42 PM EDT

I wonder if you could make a box that could take these opensource PCs, and make a cheap desktop PC.

10/3/2012 7:17 PM EDT

I would like to see the EMI test results...

10/4/2012 2:40 AM EDT

Check out the Open Compute Project for more details on Facebook's designs.

Are these designs something you plan to use?

10/4/2012 9:51 AM EDT

Would be nice to see a block diagram of the system.

10/5/2012 4:09 AM EDT

@tt3: Great idea. I'll check on that

10/5/2012 12:13 PM EDT

Actually, none of this is necessary. The drive toward higher density per rack is a problem. By doing that cooling problems are made worse. I was at an event on data centers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champagne and a speaker from Microsoft discussed their findings. For one thing, space is not an issue, except in Tokyo and Hong Kong. Thus, you are better spreading the system out a bit.

Another thing they should consider, since they are using their own software, is another processor architecture. There are many very effecient processors based on the ARM and POWER architectures that might run their code faster and use a lot less power.

10/5/2012 1:49 PM EDT

Google has also done there own server computer system. You would think that the large server hardware companies would have a better solution for the data center issues. Heat generation is a major issue in data centers. The colder climates have a real advantage.

10/5/2012 11:16 PM EDT

Cool pictures! I like to see more on the system block diagram and more on the hardware related design. Is that really revolutionary?

10/8/2012 12:28 PM EDT

"There are many very effecient processors based on the ARM and POWER architectures that might run their code faster and use a lot less power."

Facebook is reportedly playing with ARN and even Tilera processors in their servers.

10/8/2012 12:28 PM EDT

(Oops: ARM not ARN)

10/8/2012 6:59 PM EDT

Hey Rick,
I am sick of your Pre-ARM articles. For once, can EETimes write un-biased article. You even have ARM Tech conference ad in every one of your article. Talk about unbiased reporting.....

Helpfulguy

10/8/2012 6:59 PM EDT

pro-ARM

10/9/2012 11:16 AM EDT

A simple algorithm which automatically edits out extra exclamation marks in idiotic facebook posts could probably save them a few terabytes of storage. And thats just the beginning.

10/10/2012 7:52 AM EDT

Cool science project.. until someone gets electrocuted. Metal grills serve a purpose that these junior engineers will someday "discover".

I guess tearing down a product is considered innovation these days. I expected better from EETimes. I guess it's just a tabloid now. Facebook innovation? Don't make me laugh.

You can make your car get better gas mileage by ripping out the seats, airbags and brakes, but don't try selling it to anyone else.