Google Inc. (GOOG) long was seriously secret about its data centers. But in recent years it has performed an abrupt about face. Secure in its dominant position, it has actually become one of the most open internet companies in terms of revealing the secrets that make its data centers so efficient (Facebook, Inc. (FB) is another giant who has practiced similar open-sourcing policies).
To commemorate its $600M USD Lenoir, North Carolina data center (constructed in 2007), Google has posted a gallery dubbed "Where the Internet Lives". The pages are filled with stunning photos by Connie Zhou, including employee profiles, which introduce the public to some of Google's thousands of data center professionals.
Better yet, Google has offered up virtual Street View tours of the exterior and interior of its data centers.
The inside views are pretty neat, and there's plenty of Easter Eggs to be found (say the odd Android) -- and a number of employees on the job:
Goole's break room (first floor) is not as swanky as that at Google's Willy Wonkaesque headquarters, but it's pretty nice by real world standards, complete with guitars, pool tables, and other goodies:
Navigation is a bit funky, but you're able to explore the plant floor if you head through the right door.
Needless to say, Google wins the prize for coolest web animation of the day.
You can start your own journey here on the outside, here at the front door, or here on the inside.
Sources: Google [1], [2], [3]
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