Maybe I’m wrong in assuming the more naval aspects of all this were a solved problem. The Gulf of Mexico at least is littered with seafloor vessels doing all kinds of things. I figure we know pretty well how to put tanks underwater.
For that matter, I can’t help wondering what offshore customers Microsoft might already have an eye on for these. What kind of geology can you do when your DC isn’t at the other end of a satellite link, but instead parked right under your rig?
But what’s fascinating for me is what life must be like for a server in one of these things. Five pages deep into the thread, we’re still arguing about thermodynamics and heating buildings on land (???). Heat is an interesting issue, but these aren’t underwater toasters. They’re complex systems adapted to a uniquely harsh and remote environment. I would be interested in knowing more about the design and operational considerations, and I’d love to know more about what MS learned about those aspects.
Or is all that a solved problem too?
