Server farms, or data centers, are the largely hidden anchors underpinning modern digital life. Inside nondescript warehouses lie intricate arrays of computer servers and networking gear. This infrastructure stores endless datasets, runs cloud software, and facilitates communication across the globe.
As society grows ever-more dependent on the internet and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), demand for data center capacity surges. Colossal facilities spanning millions of square feet increasingly host the world‘s data.
Join us on an exploration of the 10 biggest server farms ever built. Discover how these mega data centers showcase the soaring need for connectivity and computing in the 21st century.
What Are Server Farms, and Why Do We Need Them?
Before highlighting the largest data centers, let‘s cover some basics. Server farms consist of thousands or even millions of computer servers operating together within giant warehouses. The servers connect to high-speed fiber optic networks and store staggering amounts of data.
Data centers provide infrastructure for:
- Cloud computing platforms: Services like Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google Cloud run on global data center networks.
- Website and application hosting: Companies can "rent" data center server space rather than buying their own hardware.
- Big data analytics: Data centers allow enterprises to store and process endless datasets using methods like machine learning.
- Disaster recovery: Backing up data offsite in data centers improves security and redundancy.
- Network management: Data centers facilitate communication by connecting devices and routing traffic.
Without these warehouse-scale server hubs supporting things behind the scenes, modern digital life simply wouldn‘t exist. Data centers drive innovation in emerging technologies too. Artificial intelligence relies on vast datasets and immense computing power only achievable through server farm infrastructure.
However, the facilities also face criticism given their immense energy demands. America‘s data centers consume over 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. That‘s equivalent to the power use of all U.S. households over 10 days.
Balancing society‘s appetite for digital services and sustainability remains an ongoing challenge. Later we‘ll discuss some of the eco-friendly solutions modern data centers now employ.
But first, let‘s reveal the 10 biggest server farms based on colossal square footage.
10. Next Generation Data (NGD) — London, England
Size: 750,000 total square feet
The NGD London data center campus spans 20 acres on the outskirts of greater London. Opened in phases starting in 2018, NGD London provides flexible, sustainable data center solutions to organizations across Europe.
NGD London utilizes advanced natural cooling methods instead of traditional air conditioning. This reduces electricity usage and the facility‘s overall environmental impact. What‘s more, 100% of NGD‘s power comes from renewable energy sources.
The campus offers over 19,000 secure data suites and server racks for colocation services. It has plenty more capacity to expand too. Strict security measures like military grade-perimeters and 24/7 patrolling by guards protect clients‘ sensitive information.
In short, NGD London combines tremendous scale, efficiency, and security in one convenient London location. No wonder it‘s a go-to data center choice for enterprises across finance, healthcare, media, and other industries.
9. Quality Technology Services (QTS) Metro — Atlanta, Georgia
Size: 990,000 total square feet
The QTS Metro Atlanta data center campus delivers scalable and customizable data center solutions. Within its nearly 1 million square feet lies a growing infrastructure of server farms and communication networks.
QTS Metro clients have access to diverse colocation options ranging from entire private suites down to individual cabinets or cages for servers and gear. This flexibility and redundancy support dynamic business growth.
The facilities here also connect to QTS‘ wider network of 32 data centers spread across North America and Europe. High-capacity fiber and network connectivity is a standard feature.
Furthermore, QTS employs highly efficient cooling methods using outside air economies. This optimization along with on-site generators reduces electricity demands. QTS also purchases renewable energy credits and carbon offsets to minimize its environmental footprint.
8. Tulip Data Center — Andhra Pradesh, India
Size: Over 1 million total square feet
The Tulip Data Center situated in southern India provides 1 million square feet of enterprise-grade data services. Developed through a joint venture between Compass Datacenters and IBM, the facility fuels growth of advanced IT infrastructure across the APAC region.
What truly sets Tulip‘s data center apart is its sustainability focus. The entire campus spans 107 acres, allowing plenty of room for solar generation systems. The site aims to fulfill over half its energy needs using renewable sources.
Natural cooling designs also drastically reduce electricity demands compared to traditional data centers. Tulip can decrease power usage even further with its modularly designed data halls.
Moreover, the Tulip Data Center offers 8.5 petabytes of available IT capacity for starters. The $287 million Phase 1 investment positions the company for expansive long-term growth in data services.
7. Lakeside Digital Data Center Campus — Chicago, Illinois
Size: ~1.1 million total square feet
The Lakeside Digital Data Center Campus is one of America‘s most well-established and interconnected server farm facilities. Over 1.1 million total square feet are dedicated to housing enterprise-scale IT infrastructure.
Telecom pioneer MCI originally built what‘s now known as the Lakeside Campus in the 1970s as a global network access point. It has since grown into a nexus for data center colocation services following investments from companies like CenturyLink and Cologix.
Lakeside offers carrier-neutral data center solutions tailored to the needs of its clients. Prominent companies with colocation arrangements include IBM Cloud, Oracle Cloud, LinkedIn, Splunk, Equinix, and even Meta (formerly Facebook).
The campus connects over 550 carriers and networks including key international data links. Reliable infrastructure and connectivity make Lakeside Campus an ideal IT hub for Chicago and Midwest-based companies.
6. Microsoft Azure Data Centers — West Des Moines, Iowa
Size: Over 1.2 million total square feet (when complete)
Technology leader Microsoft constructs and operates an extensive portfolio of data centers globally. Among their largest server farms lies the West Des Moines Azure Data Center campus spanning over 1 million square feet currently.
Strategically located near inexpensive and renewable energy sources, Microsoft‘s Iowa data centers power a variety of cloud services. These include Office 365, Microsoft Teams, Xbox Live, and the Azure public cloud platform.
Sustainability is a key focus too. The West Des Moines data center runs on 50% renewable energy and utilizes outside air for cooling up to 75% of the year. These optimizations help minimize environmental impact.
Upon final completion later in 2023, the West Des Moines Azure campus will reach 1.2 million square feet. Ultimately, these data centers demonstrate Microsoft‘s commitment to serving partners and customers across the globe.
5. Utah Data Center (NSA) — Bluffdale, Utah
Size: Over 1.5 million total square feet
In the remote Utah desert, the United States National Security Agency (NSA) operates one of the most mysterious American data centers. According to public documents leaked in 2013, this complex spans at least 1.5 million square feet.
Officially named the Utah Data Center, the NSA facility plays a major role in U.S intelligence gathering and analysis. It provides infrastructure for monitoring, decoding, and storing communication data from telephony and internet networks.
Within its secretive halls are over 100,000 square feet dedicated solely to servers and data storage systems. The rest houses administrative and equipment spaces to facilitate NSA surveillance programs.
While much information remains classified, the Utah Data Center reportedly has a storage capacity exceeding 12 exabytes. For context, 12 exabytes is equivalent to over 50 trillion pages of text! Big data indeed.
4. DFT Data Centers Campus— Ashburn, Virginia
Size: Over 1.6 million total square feet
The DFT Data Centers campus, located just outside Washington D.C. in Ashburn, Virginia, spans over 1.6 million square feet. That‘s equivalent to nearly 40 football fields!
DFT Ashburn consists of eight interconnected data buildings with ample capacity for growth. The Ashburn campus lies within the heart of "Data Center Alley," as northern Virginia holds one of the planet‘s densest concentrations of data centers.
Why Ashburn? The region provides access to abundant, low-cost power, fiber connectivity, and even free cooling for up to 8,000 hours per year. These perks along with tax incentives drive data center growth.
In fact, an estimated 70% of the world‘s internet traffic flows through data centers in the greater Washington D.C. area. Diverse submarine cables linking to Europe and Latin America also converge nearby.
Unsurprisingly, commercial data center construction continues rapid expansion throughout northern Virginia.
3. Switch LAS VEGAS 10 Data Center— Las Vegas, Nevada
Size: 3.5 million total square feet (Larger SuperNAP campus spans 6.3 million square feet)
The sprawling Switch LAS VEGAS 10 facility anchors the wider SuperNAP data center campus located a few miles from the Vegas Strip. Just one of Switch‘s Las Vegas data centers occupies a whopping 3.5 million square feet, making it among the largest on Earth.
Switch LAS VEGAS 10 and SuperNAP at large provide infrastructure for some of the biggest brands on the internet. These include Google, Amazon Web Services, Oracle, Tesla, eBay, and more.
What also stands out is sheer power capacity. At its peak, the larger SuperNAP campus can draw up to 650 megawatts of electricity. For context, that‘s enough to power over 350,000 average U.S. homes!
Of course, Switch optimizes cooling technologies like hot aisle containment to limit electricity waste. CEO and Founder Rob Roy also plans to eventually power SuperNAP with solar energy from the adjacent $5 billion Apex solar project currently under construction.
With elite security defenses, expansive capacity for growth and increasing sustainability efforts, the Switch LAS VEGAS 10 data center seems poised to only get bigger.
2. Range International Information Group — Langfang, China
Size: Over 6.3 million total square feet
China makes big data, well, bigger. Case in point: The Range International Information Group data center campus located just outside Beijing in Langfang, Hebei Province.
This gargantuan facility currently spans over 6.3 million square feet according total available reports. For perspective, that‘s over 140 football fields of data center real estate!
Range International offers robust cloud computing, co-location services and interconnect capabilities to organizations across China. It presents ample room to scale IT infrastructure now and into the future.
China‘s data center industry continues rapid expansion to keep pace with economic digitization. Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and 5G accelerate demand for data services.
Reports forecast nationwide data center capacity to reach 73 million kilowatts by 2023. For context, that would surpass the European market nearly three times over!
1. The Citadel Campus — Reno, Nevada
Size: Over 7.2 million total square feet (still under construction)
America aims to reclaim the world‘s largest data center title from China when The Citadel Campus finishes construction just east of Reno, Nevada.
This gargantuan project masterplanned by data center industry veteran Derick Snyder spans a phenomenal 7.2 million square feet upon final completion. That eclipses even China‘s largest facilities!
The Citadel will provide wholesale data center space with elite security measures and high-capacity fiber connectivity. Its proximity to Tesla‘s Gigafactory and other technology firms establishes Reno as strategic American data hub.
What ultimately sets The Citadel apart is its commitment to sustainability. The eco-conscious campus will run entirely on solar, geothermal and battery power. The Citadel is also on track to achieve prestigious LEED Platinum efficiency certification from the US Green Building Council.
Backed by billionaire real estate investor Sam Zell, The Citadel symbolizes a cutting-edge model for future large-scale data centers. With designs to withstand massive growth in computing demands for decades to come, The Citadel is future-ready tech infrastructure at its finest.
Evaluating Environmental Impacts
The sheer scale of these mega data centers powers innovation yet also raises environmental concerns. Collectively, America‘s data centers draw over 100 billion kilowatt-hours yearly nationwide as of 2020. That‘s equivalent to all U.S. households for 10 straight days.
Rapid cloud adoption across industries means electricity demands keep climbing at a breakneck 14% compound annual pace. Data centers could consume as much as 300 billion kilowatt-hours yearly by 2030 based on current estimates.
Clearly, effort must be taken to balance technology growth and sustainability. Data centers like The Citadel showcase how renewable energy integration, natural cooling methods, and modular construction can reduce environmental impacts.
Ultimately though, America‘s digital appetite shows no signs of slowing. Data center expansion marches steadily onward to keep pace with economic digitization. But with eco-conscious designs growing mainstream, perhaps these hidden giants can drive cloud innovation while keeping resource waste in check.
The Outsized Role of Server Farms in Daily Life
As we‘ve discovered, behind so much of modern digital life lies intricate data center infrastructure operating silently out of sight. Teams of technicians toil day and night within fluorescent-lit warehouses to keep fiber cables intact, servers humming, and data flowing seamlessly.
Yet, most internet users don‘t give these facilities much thought when streaming movies, swiping payment cards, or backing up photos to the cloud. Data centers only capture attention when service disruptions impact popular sites like Facebook, Netflix, or Amazon.
For better or worse, society‘s deepening reliance on cloud computing means we lean ever more heavily upon the underlying architecture of server farms. The data centers themselves become more integrated and interconnected too.
So while the scale of these facilities stretches comprehension, in some ways we‘ve only scratched the surface of their full capability. As technologies like 5G, virtual reality, Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence continue proliferating, demand for data center storage and computing power will scale exponentially.
In reality, we‘ve only begun tapping into these mammoth warehouses‘ potential. But with exabyte-scale datasets and faster networking speeds unlocking new innovations, tomorrow‘s data centers may one day make even those on our top 10 list seem tiny.
The giants of the internet era are still being conceived.
