In September 2010, Yahoo! launched the first data center built to its innovative design it first called the “Chicken Coop” and later renamed into “Yahoo! Computing Coop,” or YCC. The first YCC was launched in Lockport, New York. The design, optimized for letting in as much outside air as possible, maximizes the use of free cooling. It is also modular in that there is a central administrative building, with standard-size data halls added on either side of it as demand for compute capacity dictates.

The coop was a brainchild of Yahoo!’s then VP of operations Scott Noteboom, who has since moved on to work for Apple. In March 2011, Noteboom announced a global US$500m data center consolidation project by Yahoo! at the DatacenterDynamics conference in New York City.

Next Tuesday, Yahoo!’s project manager for data center development Mozan Totani will give us an update on the company’s data center strategy at the DatacenterDynamics Converged event in San Francisco. DatacenterDynamics FOCUS asked Totani a few questions in advance of the event as a preview:

DatacenterDynamics FOCUS: Yahoo! officially launched its first “Coop” data center in September 2010. How many data centers has the company built to this design sofar?

Mozan Totani: We have built three more YCC buildings. 

DCDF: What changes have been made to the Coop design since its first generation?

MT: YCC is a cookie-cutter design, so we minimized major design changes to keep the speed of design and construction. We eliminated some motorized dampers, used skid plates and maximized prefab/pre-wiring for electrical equipment.  We applied YCC design concept to existing buildings and achieved the same results. We improved cooling control by fine tuning the sequence of operation.

DCDF: At which stage is Yahoo!’s global data center consolidation project Scott Noteboom announced last year in New York?

MT: We are still on track, but continue adjusting our plans for the most effective solution.

DCDF: A part of your upcoming presentation in San Francisco will address tightening of regulations that will affect the data center industry. What kind of regulation are you going to be talking about?

MT: Emission controls on generators, waste-water discharge. We are only “anticipating” greener regulations will be enforced in the future.

DCDF: Yahoo! has talked a lot about its data center design over the past two years or so. We have not heard that much, however, about the IT equipment inside its data centers. Are you guys using a lot of custom-designed servers and network switches made by original design manufacturers (like Facebook and Google do)?

MT: Yes, we are working with suppliers to maximize computing efficiency. Custom design servers can be one of the solutions, but it all depends on evaluation of overall cost impact.

DCDF: What are your thoughts on modularity in data center design?

MT: We are already using modular concepts by utilizing Wing design and Pod deployment. We are more interested in flexibility, not only modularity.

DCDF: Data center infrastructure management (DCIM) has been a hot topic last year and this year. What kinds of DCIM solutions does Yahoo! use in its data centers and how do you use them?

MT: We have deployed DCIM globally to maximize space and power utilization. Utilizing BMS [Building Management System] data points for environmental and power effectiveness.

DCDF: What is Yahoo!’s vision for its data center infrastructure three-five years from now?

MT: Our vision is to optimize data center infrastructure effectiveness by truly integrating all interdependent data center elements (application, IT and facility) into one infrastructure.

Hear more on Yahoo!’s strategy directly from Totani live at DatacenterDynamics Converged on 17 July in San Francisco.

Follow live coverage of Converged San Francisco on Twitter through #DCDSF2012