Could Google be a Server Hardware supplier?

We all know Google builds their own server hardware.  From what Google has learned building their own servers, could they get in the server business selling Google appliances for those who want to own the infrastructure and not go to the cloud.

Why would I think this could happen because I took a look at Google's platform jobs and saw 2 EMC (electromagnetic compliance) job openings which would typically be done for regulatory approvals like EN, FCC, VCCI, ETSI, CISPR, Telcordia etc

Here is the list of Google job openings in the platform group. The EMC jobs are #2 and #3.

Google Mountain View – Platforms

If Google gets into the Mobile, and Tablet business.  Why not Server?

If anyone could turn the Server industry upside down Google could.

Or could Google change the hosting business by renting Google Servers in Google hosted data centers.  That is one way to get around security and regulatory issues with current cloud offerings.

When I look at the list of jobs, sure does like a hardware manufacturing team.  And, this is just the open positions.

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How important is Networking in Data Center Growth? Google has 29 open positions

With Verizon purchase of Terremark, it is interesting to watch the Telco industry figure out how to grow.

On the other side, looking at Google growing into the Telco space is interesting.  Check out these 29 open networking positions at Google.

Google Mountain View – Global Network Operations

Here is an interesting surprise.  Look at the last job Networking needs a technical program manager who focuses on Space and Power.

The role: Technical Program Manager, Space and Power

Technical Program Managers will plan, facilitate, and manage the deployment of new services purchased from third party vendors and suppliers worldwide. You will work closely with design and technical negotiation teams to assess space and power requirements to support new capacity demands. The technical program manager will be responsible for creating the facility designs and statements of work to guide build outs within new and existing locations. You will work closely with the technical negotiators to understand the terms of new contracts and arrangements including delivery targets and other technical requirements. You will manage all aspects of the site deployment process with vendor to include: site surveys, daily vendor management, walk through and final acceptance to ensure facilities are delivered on schedule and to specifications. Technical Program Managers will be responsible for facilitating communications between all relevant stakeholders both internal and external.

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Google's next server innovation, optics?

Someone asked a good question on what Google server hardware looks like.  Decided to go up and take a look at who Google is hiring and found a position for Optics Hardware engineer.

The role: Optics Hardware Engineer

As an Optics Hardware Engineer, you will be creating useful systems for emerging computing applications in the real world. You will apply your experience designing optical systems to our projects. As a member of the R&D team, your skills will guide early component and system-architecture choices toward optimal performance, manufacturability and cost approaches for constructing highly integrated devices. You will use optical simulation tools and work hands-on to bring designs to life. You will work with other Optical, Electrical, and Mechanical engineers to prototype designs and plan for scale-up.

Responsibilities:
  • Design, implement, debug and characterize optical systems geared for emerging applications.
  • Evaluate and improve current processes and components.
  • Carry new design concepts through exploration, development, and into deployment/mass production.
  • Prepare documentation both for internal R&D use and for transfer of products to manufacturing.
  • Collaborate with other team members, including optical, electronics, mechanical engineering, and operations staff.
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Christian Belady fills Daniel Costello's position at Microsoft

I recently caught up with a data center executive to discuss who was moving where.  I told him Mike Manos was moving.  Reviewed a few people I heard had thrown their hat in for vacant positions.  Where there was likely a change coming.

One that just popped yesterday with a blog post in Christian Belady's move to fill the position Daniel Costello vacated at Microsoft when he went to Google.

The Gravitational Pull Was Too Strong

By Christian Belady
General Manager, Data Center Research, Global Foundation Services

Many of you may have already heard that I have change roles yet again in Microsoft. It was only 11 months ago that I had moved to Microsoft Research to pursue ground-breaking work in the Extreme Computing Work (Apples Don’t Fall Far from the Tree). In that time, I experienced the great opportunity of helping to set an organizational vision and build a team of Hardware Architects and Engineers, who I believe are second to none. It was a significant experience given to me by Dan Reed the CVP of XCG, which I am very grateful for. However, while their team’s ship has set sail on a course that I believe will transform the industry five to 10 years out, I realized that growing up professionally in a product development ecosystem most of my career, I do need more of an instant gratification. Combined with that need and the growing business needs of the Global Foundation Services (GFS) team, I am thrilled to say that I will be going back to my roots in Microsoft to be the GM of Datacenter Research (DCR), reporting to Kevin Timmons.

DCR will be an advanced development lab (versus a traditional research lab), whose horizon is one step beyond the datacenters we have on the drawing board today.  I am blessed to have yet another great opportunity.

2011 will most likely be a dynamic year for data center executives look for greener pastures.

One of the problems I was talking to with an insider is why data center engineers are not as well compensated as Network Engineers.  Huh?  If you didn't know a top network engineer can have a salary of $200-300K.  Name me a data center engineer who gets paid in that range.  Why the problem can exist is for many companies data centers are part of real estate.  Networking engineers are more closely aligned with IT development.  Networking engineers can quickly trace issues and fix networks in minutes, or bring them down in minutes as well as changes are made.

There are exceptions to this disparity, and the top data center talent is being drawn to where there are better opportunities.

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Mike Manos moves from Nokia to AOL

Mike Manos makes another career move, and lands at AOL.

I’ve Got Mail….A new Aol.

January 27, 2011 by mmanos

You may have seen the announcement today about my recent decision and move to join the new leadership team at Aol.  To some of my friends in the Technorati, and most specifically the Valley, this move probably seems very contrarian.  Having built some of the largest cloud infrastructure’s in the world, re-aligning operational processes at massive scale, Aol at first stroke may seem an odd choice.  I have worked in some of the largest multi-national companies in the world, I have successfully (and unsuccessfully) launched start-ups, have been a cost center and carried a P&L.  I think I have a pretty good understanding of the range and complexity of challenges (especially from a technology perspective)  from small business to large.   Across the spectrum of these types and sized companies you get a different feel.   Different cultures.  Different attitudes.    Different Vibes.

Mike has in a short period built an impressive list - Disney Interactive, Microsoft, Digital Realty Trust, Nokia, and AOL.

We'll hopefully hear more from Mike as he settles into AOL.

In the coming days/weeks/months, I hope to share many of the exciting things we will be endeavoring to accomplish and give you a real taste of some of the big changes I will be attempting.   As always, technology and operational processes will be key to the success of the mission the company is on and I have some very definite ideas on how we can leap frog current thinking in this space and ensure that our technology and operational approach is no only a strategic value to the business, but also industry leading in execution.

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