Globix, the complex web-hosting specialist, has launched its High Density Hosting service, the first such service in Europe to offer a tailored and cost effective hosting solution for blade servers. Inpharmatica, the drug discovery and research services company, has already chosen to use the service.

High density blade servers have proved an appealing option for companies with computing intensive, mission critical applications and demand is continuing to grow. However, while these servers typically take up less space in a datacentre than standard servers, they are also creating a plethora of new power and cooling challenges.

"Typical datacentres provide around 2kw of power and cooling capabilities per rack. However, a rack full of new blade servers requires up to 15kw of power. That equates to more British Thermal Units (BTUs) per square foot than a typical household oven demands and requires a cooling capacity sufficient to air-condition two homes"* explains Philip Cheek, managing director of Globix.

"The majority of hosting companies in Europe will space blade technology throughout their datacentres. However, this is neither a cost effective nor efficient solution to the problem. Globix is uniquely able to provide enterprises with an ideal hosting ecosystem for blade servers, offering 15kw of power and state-of-the-art cooling in a stand-alone rack."

The high density facility is a natural extension to Globix's established hosting service and is positioned within a state of the art Globix datacentre, which offers high levels of security, power and critical systems backup, 24x7 technical support, and advanced fire detection and suppression.

* Source: Moving Towards Meltdown, Computer World