Before you order Google Distributed Cloud connected hardware, you must meet the Distributed Cloud connected installation requirements described on this page.
Plan the hardware configuration
Before you can order hardware, your network administrator must work with Google to plan the hardware configuration for the Distributed Cloud connected installation.
Based on your business requirements, your network administrator must determine and provide the following information:
- Number of units (racks or servers) of each form factor
- Number and types of machines in each rack, if applicable
- Power supply requirements
You must select and order all of the Distributed Cloud connected hardware for each Distributed Cloud connected zone at the same time. You cannot add or remove hardware from a zone after that hardware has been deployed.
Distributed Cloud connected ships in one of the following variants:
| GDC connected rack (base or expansion) | GDC connected server (medium) | GDC connected server (large) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration | Three to twelve nodes with local SSD storage, two ToR switches, aggregator switch (base rack only) | One or three standalone servers with local SSD storage | One or three standalone servers with local SSD storage |
| Purpose | Ideal for large-scale network-intensive computing | Ideal for medium-scale general-purpose computing | Ideal for large-scale general-purpose computing |
| Estimated cost | Pricing | Pricing | Pricing |
| CPU | 3 to 12 x 128 vCPUs (384 to 1546 vCPUs total) | 1 or 3 x 32 vCPUs (32 or 96 vCPUs total) | 1 or 3 x 64 vCPUs (32 or 192 vCPUs total) |
| GPU | Not supported | 1 or 3 x NVIDIA L4 GPU (optional) | 1 or 3 x NVIDIA L4 GPU (optional) |
| RAM | 3 to 12 x 512 GB (1536 GB to 6144 GB total) | 1 or 3 x 64 GB (64 GB or 192 GB total) | 1 or 3 x 128 GB (128 GB or 384 GB total) |
| Storage | 3 to 12 x 3.2 TB SSD (9.6 TB to 38.4 TB total) | 1 or 3 x 1.6 TB SSD (1.6 TB or 4.8 TB total) | 1 or 3 x 3.2 TB SSD (3.2 TB or 9.6 TB total) |
| Power | AC only | AC only | AC only |
Configure a Distributed Cloud connected rack deployment
A Distributed Cloud connected rack deployment consists of a pair of base racks, which form the core of the deployment, and up to three optional expansion racks, for a total of five racks per Distributed Cloud connected zone. For each cluster, you can only assign nodes from that cluster's zone. You cannot assign nodes from multiple zones to the same cluster.
Distributed Cloud connected racks can hold up to twelve machines, installed in blocks of three. Each machine block populates one of the four available machine block slots in the rack. Each rack must have at least one machine block slot populated with a compute machine block to operate. The fifth machine slot is reserved for Google use. You cannot add or remove machine blocks or individual machines after a Distributed Cloud connected rack has been deployed on your premises.
As of this release of Distributed Cloud connected, the only machine type available is the network-optimized compute machine.
Configure a Distributed Cloud connected server deployment
By default, you can only order Distributed Cloud connected servers in a three-machine configuration. If your business requirements call for single-machine deployments of Distributed Cloud connected servers, contact your Google field sales representative for more information.
Choose the procurement model
You can order the Distributed Cloud connected server hardware in one of the following ways, based on your business requirements:
Google-sourced hardware. You can order the Distributed Cloud connected hardware directly from Google. This ownership model is available for server and rack hardware and is available in all countries where Distributed Cloud connected is sold. In this scenario:
- You lease the Distributed Cloud connected hardware from Google.
- Google sources, owns, maintains, repairs, and decommissions the Distributed Cloud connected hardware.
- Google deploys, maintains, and troubleshoots the Distributed Cloud connected software.
- When your contract concludes, Google collects the Distributed Cloud hardware and destroys all data stored on it.
Customer-sourced hardware. You can order Distributed Cloud connected hardware from a Google-certified Systems Integrator (SI) after consulting with Google on a deployment configuration that fits your business requirements. This ownership model is only available for Distributed Cloud connected server hardware and might not be available in every country in which Distributed Cloud connected is available. In this scenario:
- You own the Distributed Cloud connected hardware and are responsible for meeting the tax and regulatory requirements of the locality in which you want to deploy it.
- The SI works with you and Google to deploy, repair, and decommission the hardware.
- Google works with you directly to deploy, maintain, and troubleshoot the Distributed Cloud connected software.
- When your contract concludes, the SI wipes all Google software and your data from the Distributed Cloud connected hardware. You are then free to reuse or dispose of the hardware.
- For more information on sourcing your own hardware, including availability in your country, contact your Google field sales representative.
Purchase Premium Support
Distributed Cloud connected requires Premium Support. If you're not currently a Premium Support customer, you must purchase Premium Support to use Distributed Cloud connected.
Provide Google Cloud information
When you order the hardware, you must provide the following information to Google, if applicable:
- Your Google Cloud organization ID
- Whether you want Google to provision your Distributed Cloud connected machines as part of an existing Google Cloud project or if you want a new Google Cloud project
- The ID of the target Google Cloud project (if you're provisioning as part of an existing Google Cloud project)
- The desired number of Distributed Cloud connected zones
Delivery path and installation site
To verify that your delivery path and installation site can accommodate the Distributed Cloud rack hardware, Google or a Google-certified SI might ask you for photographs and drawings that accurately depict both, or they might perform a pre-delivery survey of your site.
The delivery path must be free from obstructions and have a grade below 3%. If the installation site is not on the same floor as your loading dock or building entrance, then you must provide access to an elevator.
All doorways, hallways, and elevators must support the gross weight and dimensions of the crated Distributed Cloud rack hardware.
You must provide Google service technicians access throughout the delivery path up to and including the installation site.
If your installation site is not a typical data center, you must provide dimensional drawings of the installation site before you order hardware to ensure that the rack can be safely installed and powered up.
Distributed Cloud servers are standard rack-mount form factor and do not require special delivery provisions.
Space needed
The Distributed Cloud connected rack hardware comes in a crate with the following dimensions.
| Dimension | Value (imperial) | Value (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 87 inches | 221 cm |
| Depth | 60 inches | 152 cm |
| Width | 40 inches | 102 cm |
The Distributed Cloud connected rack hardware has the following dimensions.
| Dimension | Value (imperial) | Value (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 80 inches | 203 cm |
| Depth | 48 inches | 122 cm |
| Width | 24 inches | 61 cm |
If your local jurisdiction or facility requires that you brace the Distributed Cloud rack, you might need special seismic bracing hardware. The Distributed Cloud rack ships anchored to its crate with brackets that you can re-use to attach the rack to your floor. However, these brackets might not meet your local bracing requirements.
The Distributed Cloud connected server hardware has the following dimensions per machine:
| Dimension | Value (imperial) | Value (metric) |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 1.7 inches | 4.3 cm |
| Depth | 19 inches | 48 cm |
| Width | 19 inches | 48 cm |
Weight
The gross weight of the Distributed Cloud connected rack is as follows.
| Rack fill | Gross weight |
|---|---|
| Typical | 900 lbs (408 kg) |
| Maximum | 1300 lbs (590 kg) |
The delivery path, including any elevators, and the installation site must safely support this weight while in full compliance with local building codes.
The weight of each Distributed Cloud connected server machine is 20 lbs (9 kg).
Power supply
The Distributed Cloud connected hardware requires single-phase or three-phase alternating current power at 50Hz or 60Hz. You must specify the required power supply type when you order the hardware.
You must supply power to the installation site in accordance with your local building codes, including the following work:
- Installing cabling conduits
- Running the required cabling
- Connecting the cabling to your electrical panel
- Turning on the power
All electrical work must be performed by a certified electrician.
Line specifications
You must supply the following number of independent power lines to ensure high availability, based on the variant that you want to deploy.
| Variant | Line requirement |
|---|---|
| AC power (rack) | Two (2) independent power lines with a dedicated ground connection |
| AC power (server) | One (1) independent power supply line with a dedicated ground connection per machine. |
All power receptacles must be located at most 6 feet (1.8 meters) from the installation site.
Power specifications for Distributed Cloud racks
For AC power supplied to Distributed Cloud connected racks, all power supply lines must meet one of the following specifications.
| Phase | Voltage | Amperage | Connector |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-phase | 208V, 50/60Hz | 30A | NEMA L6-30P |
| Single-phase | 230V, 50/60Hz | 32A | IEC 60309 2P+2E 6Hr |
| Three-phase Wye | 120V/208V, 50/60Hz | 30A | NEMA L21-30P |
| Three-phase Delta | 208V, 50/60Hz | 60A | IEC 60309 3P+G 9Hr |
| Three-phase Delta | 208V, 50/60Hz | 50A | CS8365 50A 3P+G |
| Three-phase Wye | 240V/410V, 50/60Hz | 16A | IEC 60309 3P+N+PE 6Hr |
| Three-phase Wye | 230V/400V, 50/60Hz | 32A | IEC 60309 3P+N+PE 6Hr |
Power specifications for Distributed Cloud connected servers
For AC power supplied to each Distributed Cloud connected server machine, all power supply lines must be capable of supplying between 100V and 240V at 50 or 60Hz of single-phase power per Distributed Cloud connected server machine. The Distributed Cloud connected server machine power supplies are auto-switching.
Power draw
The power draw of a Distributed Cloud connected rack ranges between 6,000W and 20,000W based on the selected configuration, presence of GPUs, CPU load, and other factors.
The power draw of a Distributed Cloud connected server machine ranges between 200W and 800W based on the selected configuration, CPU load, and other factors.
Backup power
For either variant, each of the independent power lines must have an independent uninterruptible power supply (UPS) capable of powering the Distributed Cloud hardware continuously for a minimum of 20 minutes for battery systems and 15 seconds for inertial systems.
In addition to UPS backup, you must also provide emergency electrical generator backup of sufficient capacity to both charge the UPS units and power the Distributed Cloud hardware for a minimum of four hours. The Distributed Cloud hardware must be connected to the UPS units. The UPS units must then connect to the generator backup by using an automatic transfer switch (ATS) or similar system that does not require human intervention to facilitate an emergency transfer.
Battery UPS systems without generator backup, such as older DC plants, must have sufficient capacity to power Distributed Cloud hardware for a minimum of four hours.
Cooling
The Distributed Cloud connected hardware is air-cooled and requires a climate-controlled environment to operate. Your installation site must provide adequate cooling to keep the Distributed Cloud connected hardware operational.
Your installation site must provide the following ambient environment.
| Environmental factor | Required range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Between 59°F (15°C) and 89°F (31°C) |
| Relative humidity | Between 30% and 70%, non-condensing |
The ambient temperature and relative humidity fluctuations must not be greater than the following:
- Ambient temperature: +/- 9°F (5°C) per hour
- Relative humidity: +/- 5% per hour
These guidelines apply to installations at altitudes below 10,000' MSL (3050m). For higher altitudes, consult an HVAC professional and your Google or Google-certified SI representative. Extreme swings outside of these recommended ranges can result in a protective shutdown and/or permanent damage to Distributed Cloud hardware.
A Distributed Cloud connected rack produces up to 27,000 BTUs of heat per hour and uses forced air to remove the heat from the installed hardware. The front of the rack acts as a cold air intake, and the back of the rack acts as a hot air exhaust. You must provide 4 feet (1.2 meters) of open space at both the front and the back of the rack to allow for sufficient airflow. If possible, install the rack in front of a dedicated perforated tile or register.
A Distributed Cloud connected server typically produces about 3,000 BTUs of heat per hour and also uses forced air to remove heat from its chassis. Google strongly recommends that you follow best practices similar to those described above to ensure proper cooling of your Distributed Cloud connected server machines.
Distributed Cloud hardware requires that air at your deployment site be continuously circulated, conditioned, and filtered by using permanently installed commercial or industrial-grade HVAC equipment. Failure to maintain the required environmental conditions could result in long-term damage to Distributed Cloud hardware and a reduced reliability of your Distributed Cloud deployment.
Your cooling infrastructure must meet the following guidelines:
- All HVAC equipment must have backup power and the capability to automatically restart after power loss.