Containers have become a hyperscale and multitenant data center (MTDC) industry design standard, integrating both mechanical and electrical equipment into the overall prototype program. Originally, they consisted of a modular design that included servers installed in a container supported by a 2N design with water-cooled HVAC units and a UPS installed within the racks. Mike Manos, who worked at Microsoft, played a big role in the design of containers, so everyone thought the design would take off, including HP. Yet, the server container industry really didn’t gain traction.
Enterprise clients were hesitant to put servers outside or within a warehouse. Additionally, Digital Realty was developing skiffs that were pre-engineered for electrical equipment off-site and installed at their data centers.