Welcome to a world where data reigns supreme and information is king. You are about to embark on a journey into the heart of America’s biggest government data centers, where the National Security Agency (NSA), National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) store and process some of the most critical data in the world.
As you step into the world of data centers, you’ll experience a world where security and secrecy are paramount. These data centers are home to some of the most advanced technologies in the world, and the data they store and process is critical to national security, energy research, and nuclear safety.
From the NSA’s Bumblehive and Georgia Cryptologic Operations Center, to the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center, and the NRC’s new data center, you will explore the inner workings of these massive facilities and learn about the cutting-edge technologies that power them.
So, put on your virtual hard hat and get ready to explore the world of data centers like never before.
NSA Data Centers
You’ll be amazed at the size and expense of the NSA’s data centers, including the Bumblehive, Georgia Cryptologic Operations Center, supercomputing center, and Texas Cryptology Center, all of which are shrouded in secrecy and dedicated to gathering intelligence from around the world.
The Bumblehive alone is a 1.2 billion dollar facility with 1 million sq-ft of space and is a Tier III data center. The Georgia Cryptologic Operations Center covers 160 acres and houses 4,000 workers specializing in cryptology and linguistics. The new supercomputing center cost 895.6 million dollars and is dedicated to processing large amounts of data. The Texas Cryptology Center is veiled in secrecy and covered by A/C units to keep the equipment cool.
The NSA’s data centers are crucial to their mission of gathering intelligence and protecting national security interests. These facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to handle massive amounts of data and process it quickly.
The NSA’s Hawaii Regional Operation Data Center has over 2,700 employees who gather intelligence from overseas. The NSA’s Fort Meade supercomputing center, which is expected to be ready by the end of 2015, will cover 600,000 sq-ft.
These data centers are essential to the NSA’s operations and will continue to play a vital role in national security.
NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center
If you take a closer look at the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center, you’ll find that it holds 100 racks of hardware and over 70,000 processors, making it a force to be reckoned with in the world of high-performance computing.
This data center is operated by the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and is located in Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was built in 2012 and is one of the fastest supercomputers in the world, used for scientific research in fields such as climate modeling and oceanography.
Here are a few interesting facts about the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center:
– The center has a peak performance of 5.34 petaflops, which means it can perform 5.34 quadrillion calculations per second.
– The building itself is designed to be energy-efficient, with features such as a cooling system that uses outside air to regulate the temperature inside.
– The center is available for use by researchers from universities, government agencies, and private companies. It’s been used for projects such as creating high-resolution climate models and studying the impact of hurricanes on coastal communities.
NRC Data Center
You can learn about the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s state-of-the-art data center. It boasts 150,000 square feet of space and utilizes Dell technology for its construction and regulation.
The NRC’s data center is designed to handle the vast amounts of data generated by the commission’s regulatory activities. It also supports the agency’s mission to protect public health and safety through the safe use of nuclear materials.
The NRC’s data center features a highly secure and redundant infrastructure. This includes multiple layers of physical and cyber security, backup power and cooling systems, and advanced fire suppression systems.
The center also utilizes cutting-edge hardware and software technologies. This includes high-performance computing systems and advanced storage and networking solutions. It ensures that the commission’s data is always available, secure, and easily accessible to authorized personnel.
With its state-of-the-art technology and robust security measures, the NRC’s data center is a critical component of the agency’s efforts to ensure the safe use of nuclear materials and protect public health and safety.