The Sun modular data centre
HONG KONG, 21 NOVEMBER 2008 – The China National Disaster Reduction Centre (CNDRC) has recently been given a Sun Microsystems’ modular data centre to help build a world-class satellite disaster reduction application system in China.
The Sun modular data centre operates as a virtualised data centre that meets CNDRC’s data centre expansion and mobility requirements. The modular data centre integrates computing, storage and networking in an enhanced 20 shipping container with cooling capacity, monitoring and a power splitting system which is said to be easy to deploy and applicable in an outdoor setting such as disaster-stricken areas.
Formally established under the ministry of civil affairs in April 2002, the China National Disaster Reduction Centre is tasked with improving national comprehensive disaster reduction work through its collection and analysis of disaster information, timely on-site support, and disaster analysis and scientific research.
"Sun's donation of the revolutionary Sun MD (modular data centre) demonstrates its deep concern for the welfare of the Chinese people, especially those affected in the aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake in May. As a prominent company, Sun realises its commitment to social responsibility." said Dou Yupei, vice minister of China’s ministry of civil affairs.
In 12 May 2008, Sichuan province of China was hit by an earthquake measured at 8.0 on the Richter scale. Official figures state that 69,227 were confirmed dead, including 68,636 in Sichuan province, and 374,176 injured, with 18,222 listed as missing.
Disaster monitoring and forecasting
At the CNDRC, the Sun modular data centre will be used for back-up storage and management of data and applications including environment and disaster monitoring and forecasting in order to meet CNDRC’s reliability and security requirements.
As the data acquired through satellite remote sensing increases dramatically, the CNDRC is currently constructing of a small satellite application system that will provide hundreds of Gigabytes of data each day. The CNDRC also plans to deploy the new data centre to manage severe disasters and provide platform support for strategic decisions at the disaster control command centre.
"China has placed great emphasis on disaster reduction and control because it directly affects the well-being of our citizens. In the process of building the national disaster reduction system, especially the satellite disaster reduction system, the adoption of the latest and most suitable information technology plays a critical role in ensuring the system will prove a success", said Dou.
