Indiana University Builds Data Center to Stand Up to F5 Tornado

October 16, 2007

Indiana University has started construction on a data center that will protect technology resources, including the Big Red supercomputer, during storms, power outages or even a tornado.

The $32.7 million Indiana University Data Center is being built at the former University School complex. Grassy slopes will rise up to the sides of the building, providing natural protection.

“This new center is designed to withstand an F5 tornado,” said Brad Wheeler, vice president for information technology.

IU President Michael McRobbie said IU’s technological infrastructure is among the best in the world.

“It’s critical we protect our systems,” he said. “This data center will ensure IU’s systems keep running.”

The new data center is being paid for through bonds and reserve funds. Equipment now housed in the Wrubel Computing Center will be moved after construction is completed in 2009.

The center will house computers, servers and data storage units that hold more than 2.8 petabytes of information, or, as McRobbie put it, “more data than can be held on four million CDs

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Education Universities

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