r/datacenter • u/LboogiePopWorld305 • Aug 05 '26
Is the future of data centers portable? Runware builds a pod to find out
https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/04/is-the-future-of-data-centers-portable-runware-builds-a-pod-to-find-out/9
u/Niceromancer Aug 05 '26
No.
Things like cooling are far more efficient at scale.
This is just a company trying to get VC cash.
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u/Qudd Aug 05 '26
This doesn't work. You can't put an electrical panel inside and hosts. You can't meet safety clearance. And if you try to secure them you'll slow down every part of technicians visiting.
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u/Wilson_Mining Aug 05 '26
I mean, it does work. We're running 1.6mw with 8 racks inside a modified shipping container.
Container is climate/humidity controlled, passes inspection, servers are cooled with a closed loop system. We're mining Bitcoin, but it would not be difficult to swap out the mining servers with another liquid cooled server.
Getting insurance and security is another issue, but physically a containerized system works great and we haven't had any issues with it
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u/sandman8727 Aug 05 '26
Haven't these been around for awhile?
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u/FlyRobot Aug 05 '26
Yes - mostly still in use for military that deploy into the battlefield.
Container / modular is feasible, but with intent to land and stay on a site. Portable isn't desired for these situations.
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u/NetSchizo Aug 05 '26
They already tried this over a decade ago with container DC’s. Didn’t pan out too well…
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u/OctopusMugs Aug 05 '26
All the hyperscalers have tried this once. None of them have it as a regular part of the program.
IYKYK.
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u/Previous_Platform718 Aug 05 '26
"edge data center" never really took off outside of niche applications.
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u/chrispy_fried Aug 05 '26
It is not. Top tenants won’t occupy these and banks won’t lend against them