SoftLayer’s Green Data Center FAQ

By Liam Eagle, theWHIR.com

July 17, 2008 — (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — In June, dedicated server hosting company SoftLayer (softlayer.com) sent out an informational paper on data centers and their impact on the environment.

The document, in format, is a frequently-asked-questions style Q&A covering about 1,000 words and two pages. In function, it’s a pitch for SoftLayer’s services ? not really an unexpected or unreasonable function for almost-a-whitepaper material such as this.

Issuing reports on the green status of their businesses may be developing as a fresh promotional tool for hosting companies. Earlier this week, we posted an interview with John Engates of Rackspace (rackspace.com), which had recently issued data from a survey analyzing the green attitudes of its hosting customers.

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Tags: "green datacenter", "green hosting", SoftLayer, thewhir

SoftLayer Reduces Packaging by 80%

June 3, 2008 — (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Web hosting provider SoftLayer (softlayer.com) announced on Tuesday it has received its first delivery of servers under a new server packaging program that cuts packing materials by 80 percent.

The program was created through several months of close collaboration between SoftLayer and its server manufacturer, Supermicro (supermicro.com). It also marks one of the many initiatives SoftLayer has made towards running an environmentally friendly operations, which includes the company joining The Green Grid (thegreengrid.org) program last June.

“From the shipment of our first server in 2006, SoftLayer has actively recycled all its data center materials. But with our rate of growth, it was essential we do even more,” says Joshua Rushe, VP of operations at SoftLayer. “We looked for a way to go beyond recycling and reduce the production of unnecessary material. We hope this program sets a new industry standard that will help reduce the total environmental impact of data centers worldwide.”

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Tags: data center, SoftLayer, Supermicro, The Green Grid