With the unpredictable weather and increasing chances of widespread power outages in the U.S., I'm curious if anyone has ever ridden out a storm at their data center. Do facilities typically have policies about this, especially for charging devices or just waiting out the weather? I'm situated far enough north that I shouldn't face any issues this time, but it's something I've thought about. To clarify, I'm more interested in the scenario of hanging out for a few hours to charge devices rather than staying for an extended period.
4 Answers
Honestly, if the weather's bad enough for me to be thinking of hunkering down somewhere, I would just head home. That's way more comfortable! I do remember a story of someone who rode out a hurricane in their data center. They were actually updating their blog about it, which was wild—talk about dedication! But I really wouldn't recommend planning a trip just to stay there; that could raise eyebrows with the management if you're just a customer trying to hang out.
Totally agree with you. If you're not essential personnel, it's best to leave it to the staff. They know what's going on much better.
A lot of data centers are set up with backup generators, so technically, they can handle power outages. But I still think staying there during a storm should be a last resort. Home is where I'd prefer to ride it out, hands down!
100%! Why risk your safety when you've got a cozy spot at home?
I had to sit in a datacenter back during Sandy. We weren't allowed to leave, but at least we could charge our devices and had some food around. The experience was rough, though—crazy weather and no power! So if you're really in a pickle, sometimes it's not that bad, but better to be prepared and not rely on it as a plan.
Yeah, I mean charging is great, but it's not exactly luxury accommodations, right? I’d be more stressed than anything.
At our place, they lock down access during severe weather events. Only certain staff members are allowed in. I think they're just trying to avoid any liability issues. It's a bit strict, but it makes sense considering the conditions they might face.
Makes sense, especially with how many regulations there are about safety these days.
Right? I've done my fair share of riding out storms at the office, but that was more out of necessity. It was stressful, especially when you could hear the wind howling outside! But sitting in a data center just for fun seems a bit much.