HP Performance Optimized Data Centers (PODs) are designed for rapid deployment at a fraction of the cost of traditional data centers. For large IT deployments, a typical data center involves either building out a new brick-and-mortar facility complete with HVAC, power, networking, redundanacy, and planned capacity increase. With the latest iteration of the POD, 240a, also known as the EcoPOD, HP is predicting 75% lower pricing for capital expenditures and an ongoing energy consumption that's a mere 5% of what a comparable facitlity would be. EcoPOD handles heating and cooling using a free air system, which keeps costs down. The standalone units are expandable, made to sustain 150mph winds, and survive in even the most extreme hot and cold conditions found in many parts of the world. A single EcoPOD offers the capacity for up to 4,400 servers in up to 44 standard 50U racks. The same capabilities of a 10,000 square foot data center are packed into 900 square feet. At HP Discover, LockerGnome's Brandon Wirtz got a tour of the onsite EcoPOD demo.
