Science, Technology, and Social Media

Mapping Big data underwater: How Infrapedia keeps track of global internet infrastructure

As Big Tech handles AI and data expansion with underwater infrastructure, engineers and planning teams increasingly need tools to provide up to date information. Infrapedia is fast becoming the preferred free tool among tech communities.

It is no surprize that companies like Microsoft host more and more of their data underwater. Afterall, the most important networks connecting the global telecoms infrastructure between continents all run under the seabed. As more tech giants, including Google, Facebook, Oracle and Microsoft zoom in on fast-growing “cloud” services, their edge to compete in this market often depends on two things: investment in underwater networks or their connection to it. Stretching way beyond “BiG Tech”, INFRAPEDIA serves as a free mapping service to network and data professionals who seek up to date information on the entire evolving infrastructure.

Infrapedia established partnerships with data centers and ISP’s – and actually send all sales inquiries about fiber and datacenters directly to their partners without taking commissions like other players in the market. This way, it succeeded in establishing an open platform with thousands of visitors and more partners. So besides being a valuable tool to engineers – it turns out to be the best lead-generation and business development tool for the highly competitive data and telecoms industry. Major partners already include Coresite(major dc), Flexential, Cyxtera, Colt, EUnetworks, ST Telemedia Datacenters, Iron Mountain, GBI (Gulf Bridge International) , Global Cloud Exchange, F8 Networks, Telecom Italia Sparkle, and Xfernet.

Using the Infrapedia map platform to track internet infrastructure around the world:

Typically, network procurement specialists have a lot of planning to do in order to support expanding operations and to stay ahead of competitors. These assets can be better planned with the right tools that can provide information on submarine cables, infrastructure, long haul fiber networks and internet exchanges. During troubleshooting, it is also important to ascertain realtime operational status. The savings that can be incurred from using the right tool are important: there are some 3500 datacenters and 15 000 networks listed on INFRAPEDIA. They also list terrestrial fiber network providers.

The only platform where all industry stakeholders converge:

The ability of the INFRAPEDIA platform goes a step further: users can also connect with infrastructure owners directly on the platform, without paying any fees to register. In a way, this is truly unique since it is the only single hub in the industry where providers, service users and the entire ecosystem converges.

The idea behind the platform is that in works with all providers in the industry as participants to the platform, thereby helping end-users (engineers) to obtain a clear picture of global infrastructure in realtime.

To see just how successful the platform has been at bringing the industry together, consider their board of advisors:

  • Amy Marks, XSite Modular
  • Anne-Marie Eklund Löwinder, Swedish Internet Foundation
  • Arnold Nipper, Chief Technology Evangelist DE-CIX
  • Brynn Fowler, Women’s Tech Forum
  • Carlos Martinez, LACNIC
  • Chris Street, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres
  • Dave Crowley, Microsoft
  • Eric Handa, AP Telecom
  • Greg Mahlknecht, Always Active Technologies
  • Jason Black, Ph.D., Uber Technologies
  • James Daquino, ICM Partners
  • Mehdi Daoudi, Catchpoint
  • Naaz Bax, Seaborn Networks
  • Nigel Bayliff, Aqua comms
  • Zach Smith, Packet

The CEO Mehmet Akcin is a Turkish-American entrepreneur with several granted patents on DNS, security and CDN networks, has worked at Microsoft, Yahoo, and ICANN for many years now focusing on Infrapedia and various other projects related to critical internet infrastructure. When asked about the ultimate goal for Infrapedia, he said: “As Steve Jobs said, I want to put a ding in the universe, my goal is to give people a global near realtime visibility and connect buyers and sellers directly to get the internet infrastructure at the best value possible and help connect next billions to the internet cheaper and faster”.

Understanding “data under the water”:

Whether it is the Google floating data center or the Microsoft underwater facility, aquatic seems to be the leading theme. Despite all the talk of “data in the cloud”, the facts are that more than half of the global population lives on 120 miles of coast – and, continents are connected by submarine cables under the seabed. Content providers can therefore reach the bulk of content consumers with ease, by having data centers under the water within an easy reach of metropolitan areas.

The biggest cost of data centers on land, is cooling of heated devices. Basing data centers underwater, not only provides eco-friendly cooling but also enable systems that run on 100% renewable energy from the nearby environment: tidal currents and moving water. As AI integration and “cloud” dependency grows, companies that host critical infrastructure in such an aquatic environment, will have a clear lead and vital position within the industry.

To demonstrate how serious Big Tech is about this major play on resources, we can start by considering the case of Google: it has sole ownership of certain submarine cable lines, such as “Curie” which runs for 10 000 miles – and “Dunant”, running 6400 miles. It also has part-ownership in lines like “FASTER” which runs for more than 11000 miles, as well as the PLCN line that exceeds 12000 miles. Many lines are owned in consortium with other corporations.

Like Google, Facebook and Amazon are also serious players in this field: The JUPITER cable, co-owned by Facebook, exceeds 14000 miles. The Bay to Bay Express cable runs 16 000 miles and is co-owned by Amazon.

Global demand is nowhere near saturated and other companies who are major content providers will either need to pay the consortiums a hefty fee – or find ways to invest in their own infrastructure. The fact is that each internet service provider (ISP) that sells fast international hosting, requires a CDN with multiple locations around the world.

Conclusion:

Big data and Big tech is snowballing: 175 Zettabytes of data is expected by 2025. Now, players are solidifying their strategic positions to enable a future where technology can be more green, more efficient and more accessible. The INFRAPEDIA map shows where we are today and where we are heading – and is available in realtime. This is one of the most notable tools available in the data and telecoms industry.

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Avi Ben Ezra

Avi Ben Ezra is the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Cofounder of SnatchBot and SnatchApp (Snatch Group Limited). He leads the Group’s long-term technology vision and is responsible for running all facets of the tech business which includes being the architect of the platforms and UI interfaces. Avi has proven tech track record and 15+ years of demonstrated career success developing tech initiatives of organizations of varying size and scope. Avi possesses in-depth experience in developing digital market places within Fintech and AI. https://www.avibenezra.com Twitter: @avi_benezra

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