French Cloud Champion Data Center Tour
- Roubaix, France – Kellermann Street in Roubaix, with its red brick buildings and the sounds of daily life, might seem like any other suburban street in northern France.
- Gaining access requires donning protective gear and passing thru a security airlock.
- The promise of witnessing the infrastructure behind everyday digital activities – streaming,social media,and AI tools – becomes a reality within these walls.
Inside OVHcloud’s Roubaix Data Center: A Look at European Cloud Sovereignty
Table of Contents
- Inside OVHcloud’s Roubaix Data Center: A Look at European Cloud Sovereignty
- Inside OVHcloud’s Roubaix Data Center: Your Questions Answered on European Cloud Sovereignty
- What is OVHcloud and Why Is It Critically important?
- What Does “European Cloud Sovereignty” Mean?
- Where Does OVHcloud Operate, and What’s Special About Its Roubaix Data Center?
- What Goes on Inside a Modern Data Center Like Roubaix 8?
- How Does OVHcloud Cool Its Servers, and Why Is That Important?
- Where Does ovhcloud Get Its servers, and How Are They Made?
- How Does OVHcloud Secure Customer Data?
- Are There Advantages for Businesses Switching to a european Cloud Provider?
- What Does the Future Hold for European Cloud Sovereignty?
- Conclusion: The Rise of the Sovereign Cloud
Roubaix, France – Kellermann Street in Roubaix, with its red brick buildings and the sounds of daily life, might seem like any other suburban street in northern France. However, one building stands apart: Roubaix 8, one of OVHcloud’s nine data centers in the region. Inside, a portion of the company’s 120,000 servers reside, representing an estimated 20-25% of the cloud provider’s global operations.
Gaining access requires donning protective gear and passing thru a security airlock. Inside lies the core of a European cloud hosting provider, a company generating billions in revenue and entrusted with vast amounts of data from both public and private entities. Recent geopolitical shifts have amplified interest in OVHcloud’s long-standing commitment to a “European and sovereign cloud.”
The promise of witnessing the infrastructure behind everyday digital activities – streaming,social media,and AI tools – becomes a reality within these walls. The tangible reality of data storage and processing becomes apparent.
A Symphony of Servers: Inside the Data Center
The first impression is a powerful hum of ventilation. Orange cables snake across the ceiling, leading the eye through corridors to the electricity arrival and control rooms, deliberately isolated due to fire risks. Grégory Lebourg, director of environmental programs, noted that lessons learned from a 2021 fire at a Strasbourg data center have led to notable changes. “Having experienced a lightning strike, we are necessarily more sensitive,” Lebourg said, alluding to the incident.
Since the fire, the company has invested €60 million in a “hyper-resilience plan” to prevent future incidents, according to Solange Viegas Dos Reis, the group’s legal director. Viegas Dos Reis added that insurance companies are now eager to work with OVHcloud, a stark contrast to the situation in 2021 when “no company wanted to insure us.”
Beyond the security checkpoints lies the heart of the data center. Instead of rows of refrigerated cabinets, long aisles of “bays” fill the space, servers stacked within metal structures reaching several meters high. Antoine Renaut, regional manager of data centers, estimates that each square meter houses between 25 and 60 servers.
Water Cooling: An Innovative Approach
Inside the data center, a network of yellow, black, red, blue, white, and green cables connects the servers. Copper pipes carrying cold and hot water are also present, highlighting OVHcloud’s unique cooling system.
OVHcloud’s water-cooling system, developed in 2003, sets it apart. “We are independent of the outside temperature,” Lebourg stated.Unlike competitors who rely on air conditioning, ovhcloud uses water to cool its servers, a system protected by hundreds of patents. The water-cooling system removes approximately 70% of the heat emitted by the servers.
The system circulates water through an exchanger placed above the processor, capturing heat that is then released outside, sometimes reused. This approach reduces the need for energy-intensive air conditioning,resulting in significant savings and environmental benefits,allowing OVHcloud to compete with larger American “hyperscalers” like AWS,azure,and Google Cloud,according to Lebourg.
from Factory to Data Center: A Vertically Integrated Approach
OVHcloud designs and assembles its servers in its own factory, located a few kilometers from the data center. A similar factory exists in canada to serve North America.Inside the factory, workers assemble components onto metal frames, creating servers from parts sourced globally.
Employees undergo training to assemble the servers, a process that resembles “LEGO assembly.” Frédéric Lockart, who oversees the workshop and recycling operations, noted that a server is produced approximately every three minutes. Servers have a lifespan of up to nine years, with performance cycles of three years. Older servers are still viable for customers who do not require the latest technology.
At the end of their lifespan,servers are dismantled,with 60% of the components recycled. Some parts are reused, while others are sold to brokers. Unusable components are crushed.
Securing Sensitive Data
Roubaix 8 houses SNC (SecnumCloud) rooms, also known as “Critical +,” with restricted access. These rooms provide the highest level of cybersecurity, protecting stored data from extraterritorial laws. this certification is increasingly required for sensitive state data.
Viegas Dos Reis emphasized that OVHcloud’s independence stems from manufacturing its own servers and operating its own telecom networks. She added that the company’s ownership structure, with 80% still held by the family of founder Octave Klaba, further contributes to its sovereignty.
viegas Dos Reis noted an increase in customer interest due to concerns about the dominance of American cloud providers. “We now host the IGN and the CNRS,” she said. She believes that OVHcloud’s commitment to sovereignty is a key differentiator. “Being at OVH is good,because we are sovereign,” Viegas Dos Reis stated.She added that sovereignty is now a priority for business leaders, not just IT departments.
While the decision to switch to a European cloud provider can take months or years, OVHcloud hopes to capitalize on the growing demand for sovereign cloud solutions.
As the doors close on the ovhcloud facility, the work continues. Servers are assembled, tested, and recycled, while outside, life on Kellermann Street continues, unaware of the activity within the Roubaix 8 data center.
Here’s a Q&A-style blog post analyzing the OVHcloud Roubaix data center, crafted with an emphasis on quality, user engagement, and SEO:
Inside OVHcloud’s Roubaix Data Center: Your Questions Answered on European Cloud Sovereignty
The digital world runs on data. But where does that data live? And who controls it? In an era of increasing digital dependence and geopolitical uncertainty, the concept of a “sovereign cloud” is gaining traction. Let’s take a deep dive into the heart of OVHcloud’s operations in Roubaix, France, to understand what European cloud sovereignty really means.
What is OVHcloud and Why Is It Critically important?
OVHcloud is a leading european cloud provider offering a range of cloud services, including hosting, compute, and storage. It’s a critically important player in the global cloud market, particularly for businesses and organizations seeking a European-based cloud solution. Its importance stems from its commitment to data sovereignty, which means keeping data within European borders and under european laws.
What Does “European Cloud Sovereignty” Mean?
European cloud sovereignty refers to the practice of keeping data stored and processed within the borders of the European Union, subject to EU laws and regulations. As of concerns from regulatory bodies,there is a growing desire for businesses and public sector organizations to reduce their reliance on overseas cloud providers. This offers control of data and ensures compliance with legal frameworks like the GDPR. It’s about more than just data location; it’s about control, security, and compliance with European legal standards.
Is OVHcloud a “sovereign cloud” provider?
Yes, OVHcloud is a strong advocate and provider of sovereign cloud solutions. They manufacture their own servers, operate their own telecom networks, and have a majority shareholder in European hands. All of these factors contribute to a sovereign cloud.
Where Does OVHcloud Operate, and What’s Special About Its Roubaix Data Center?
OVHcloud operates data centers around the globe, with a significant presence in Europe, including Roubaix, France. The Roubaix 8 data center, located in northern France, is one of nine in the region and hosts a considerable portion of OVHcloud’s global server capacity. It’s noteworthy because it represents a tangible example of European cloud infrastructure in action.
What Goes on Inside a Modern Data Center Like Roubaix 8?
The Roubaix 8 data center is a complex ecosystem designed for efficient and reliable data storage and processing. Here’s a peek behind the scenes:
What does the inside of an ovhcloud data center look like?
Inside, you’ll find a symphony of servers humming with activity. Long aisles are filled with “bays” – metal structures housing stacks of servers. Orange cables weave across the ceiling. There are electricity arrival and control rooms. Security and safety are paramount.
How many servers are housed in a data center?
Each square meter can house between 25 and 60 servers. Roubaix 8 represents a key portion of OVHcloud’s global server infrastructure.
How Does OVHcloud Cool Its Servers, and Why Is That Important?
OVHcloud uses an innovative water-cooling system to manage the heat generated by its servers – a unique approach that sets it apart from many competitors.
What is the OVHcloud water-cooling system like?
Unlike conventional air conditioning, OVHcloud circulates water through an exchanger above the processor. This captures the heat, which is then released outside. This approach is protected by hundreds of patents.
What are the benefits of OVHcloud’s water-cooling system?
The system is autonomous of the outside temperature and removes as much as 70% of the heat emitted by the servers. It reduces the need for energy-intensive air conditioning, leading to significant savings and the ability to compete effectively with larger American “hyperscalers.”
Is it environmentally pleasant to use water cooling in a data center?
Yes, OVHcloud’s water-cooling system is indeed environmentally friendly.It reduces reliance on energy-consuming air conditioning, therefore reducing the data center’s carbon footprint. Also, the heat removed can sometimes be recycled.
Where Does ovhcloud Get Its servers, and How Are They Made?
OVHcloud takes a vertically integrated approach, manufacturing its own servers to ensure greater control over the supply chain and maintain its commitment to European sovereignty.
Does OVHcloud build its own Servers?
Yes, OVHcloud designs and assembles its servers in its own factory, located a few kilometers from the data center.
How are OVHcloud servers manufactured?
Workers assemble components into metal frames. This “LEGO assembly” process results in a server being produced approximately every three minutes.
What is the lifespan of an OVHcloud server?
Servers have a lifespan of approximately nine years, with performance cycles of three years.Older servers are still viable for customers who do not require the latest technology.
What happens to Servers when they have reached their end of life?
At the end of their lifespan, servers are dismantled, with about 60% of the components recycled and some reused, while others are sold, and unusable parts are crushed.
How Does OVHcloud Secure Customer Data?
Security is paramount in a modern data center. OVHcloud implements various measures to protect sensitive customer data, including secure facilities, strict access controls, and the use of specialized infrastructure.
What are SNC (SecnumCloud) rooms?
Roubaix 8 houses SNC (SecnumCloud) rooms, also known as “Critical +,” with restricted access. These rooms provide the highest level of cybersecurity, protecting stored data from extraterritorial laws, and are increasingly required for sensitive state data.
How does OVHcloud’s ownership structure contribute to data security?
OVHcloud’s independence, stemming from manufacturing its own servers and operating its own telecom networks, combined with its ownership structure (with the Klaba family holding a significant stake), further strengthens its commitment to sovereignty.
Are There Advantages for Businesses Switching to a european Cloud Provider?
Absolutely. The benefits extend beyond just data location.
Why are businesses and public organizations switching to European cloud providers?
The key drivers are increasing concerns about the dominance of American cloud providers, a desire for greater control over data, and the need to comply with European data protection regulations. There is also rising geopolitical pressure from regulatory bodies.
What are the main benefits of using a sovereign cloud solution?
The main benefits include greater control over data, enhanced security, compliance with European laws and regulations (like GDPR), and reduced risk of data being accessed by non-European entities.
Who is currently using OVHcloud?
ovhcloud serves a diverse clientele, including public sector entities, research institutions (like the IGN and CNRS), and businesses of all sizes.
What Does the Future Hold for European Cloud Sovereignty?
The demand for cloud sovereignty is growing. OVHcloud hopes to capitalize on this trend.
Where is OVHcloud headed in the future?
OVHcloud plans to continue investing in its infrastructure. It is positioned to benefit from the increasing demand for sovereign cloud solutions, which is predicted to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Conclusion: The Rise of the Sovereign Cloud
The Roubaix 8 data center offers a glimpse into the future of cloud computing: a future where data is managed locally, controlled by European entities, and protected by robust security measures. As digital transformation continues to reshape the global landscape,the demand for sovereign cloud solutions will only increase,solidifying OVHcloud’s role as a key player in this evolution. The ongoing work in places like Roubaix underscores that the future of cloud computing is not just about technology; it’s also about control, security, and who you trust with your data.