Facebook is sponsoring an Open Compute Foundation contest with Purdue to develop a more sustainable server chassis. The goal of the contest is to build a biodegradable box — instead of steel casing — to hold the innards of a server. Since most companies replace their servers every two to three years (the Purdue contest site says four), why not make the case out of something that doesn’t need to be recycled at the end of its rather short life?
From the design challenge web site:
Servers are typically replaced about every four years. This is necessary to maintain fast, reliable equipment. Unfortunately, this results in a lot of waste. Open Compute wants to change this starting with the server chassis. These are typically made of steel, which is recyclable, but even recycling generates waste. What would happen if these chassis could be placed in compost instead?
Purdue University’s College of Technology entrepreneurship program, called Tech Ventures, will work with the Foundation and the social network to get students to rethink the humble chassis. The challenge will begin with a Computer and Information Technology (CNIT) course at Purdue in the spring semester. I, for one, can’t wait to see the cardboard server chassis, although in some ways I think eliminating the chassis and making the rack the protective unit for the boards and components might make more sense.
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