Google and Its Hardware Dependence
January 8, 2009
The commodity hardware used by Google works reasonably well. Drive failures, fan failures, and power supply failures are routine problems. Google’s solution for cheap hardware crapping out is very expensive and sophisticated software. I receive emails and telephone calls about the joy of using Hadoop, Xen, and the other quasi-Google open source tools. I listen and make a neutral comment, eager to bail out of the conversation. Here’s why:
- Google can use crappy hard drives because it figured out how to let software be smart about scattering data and ensuring that data exists in multiple copies. Short of a nuclear attack on most of Google’s data centers, the GOOG will not lose too much data. I know the Google trashed emails and has experienced other problems. I remind myself that Google crunches petabytes every 24 hours, and overall, the company has figured out how to retain and recover data reasonably well. The key point is that Google does not have to use exotic drives, controllers, and cabling. Big cost savings. Software, once written and debugged, is cheap to operate. Invest once. Operate for as long as possible at a lower cost.
- Google can use average CPUs, riding the Moore’s Law wave. I learned in 2002 or 2003 that the GOOG can mix CPUs in a server rack. Matching CPUs means that you have to buy specific CPUs with in parameter stepping rates to keep the server from stumbling over its shoelaces. Not the Google. Again software works the magic and eliminates the need for expensive, high end CPUs. As high end CPUs get commoditized, the GOOG can use these and get performance gains. Again, the focus is on pragmatic ways to hold down costs with software and systems engineering. Exotic data center hardware is expensive. With massive buying power and the ability to use CPUs that deliver cycles plus low cost, the Google is a force in hardware and will be for the foreseeable future.
- Google can chop out some of the expensive bodies required to babysit, bathe, and feed server farms. Software is Google’s secret weapon. Same idea. Eliminate costs and inefficient humans with smarter software.
You get the idea. So, why is it suddenly a big surprise that for certain pieces of hardware, Google wants gizmos its way. Google is fiddling with motherboards in order to eliminate components, thus reducing costs and energy consumption. The GOOG is into power supplies because it wants to standardize on specific outputs tailored to meet Google’s needs. Google is poking into the router closet to see what can be done to breakthrough the leading vendors’ self imposed limitations on ports, fractionalizing, smart sniffing, et al. The router story caught the attention of the non-nerds at Barron’s here. I even received an email from a Wall Street wizard sharing the news about Google and hardware. Do a search for hardware related patent applications filed and inventions involving the GOOG. Hardware has been an interest for years, nine in fact.
With upwards of 32 data centers and a million or so servers online, the GOOG is a market unto itself. A more interesting question is, “Will the GOOG make its gear available to a special few or will it offer its hardware on the open market?” My thought is that like other items in Google’s bag of tricks, money alone won’t work. The Google is a fierce competitor and it also likes to haggle. What would a partner give up to get access to some Google hardware goodness? Any thoughts? Think cost control? Think leverage. Think Google-izing the world of Google-friendly partners, users, and advertisers.
Stephen Arnold, January 8, 2009
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I’ve been sending links to my relatives all day long to read your text! Keep up the good job!!