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Scenes from 7X24 Exchange Conference: Sessions and Evening Events

The 7X24 Exchange organization, whose members manage mission critical facilities in all parts of the United States, marks its 24th year this year. The fall conference drew participants to discuss issues significant to running the data centers that power enterprises, academia, mega-scale Internet services and more. Below are the photo highlights from the sessions and evening events. Enjoy!

Chris Crosby, CEO, Compass Datacenters, spoke on the evolving state of the data center industry, predicting that consolidation will take place in the marketplace.He said there is a trend toward "productization" of data center services, with specific, consistent product offerings that meet consumer demand, with a deliberate focus on standardization. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass Datacenters, spoke on the evolving state of the data center industry, predicting that consolidation will take place in the marketplace. He said there is a trend toward "productization" of data center services, with specific, consistent product offerings that meet consumer demand, with a deliberate focus on standardization. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

A panel titled,

A panel titled, "Modular and Containers: What's the Hype About?," talked about the options data center operators now have in finding the right solution for their customers. The panel included (left to right): Eric Wells, VP Data Center Services, Fidelity Investments; Ty Schmitt, Executive Director, Data Center Solutions, Dell; Marc Faig, CTO, AST Modular and Rich Hering, Technical Director, M&W Group. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Tuesday morning, Delfina Eberly, of Facebook, addressed the crowd at the 7X24 Exchange Conference about how Facebook pushes for efficiency on multiple levels - hardware, data centers, and software. For Facebook, she said, facilities and their efficiency "are front and center" in the organization. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Tuesday morning, Delfina Eberly, of Facebook, addressed the crowd at the 7X24 Exchange Conference about how Facebook pushes for efficiency on multiple levels - hardware, data centers, and software. For Facebook, she said, facilities and their efficiency "are front and center" in the organization. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

University of Texas graduate students did research on server fans, moving them to racks, and reduced energy needed to power the fans. The students, and others, were invited to share their findings with participants at the 7X24 Exchange Conference. (Photos by Colleen Miller.)

University of Texas at Arlington graduate students did research on server fans, moving them to racks and reducing the energy needed to power the fans. They were among several groups of college students were invited to share their findings with participants at the 7X24 Exchange Conference. (Photos by Colleen Miller.)

 

Famous crooner Dean Martin, or at least his doppleganger, dropped by the evening festivities, adding to the Vegas atmosphere. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Famous crooner Dean Martin, or at least his doppleganger, dropped by the Monday evening festivities, adding to the "Las Vegas" atmosphere. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

In addition to daytime sessions, the conference provided evening opportunities for networking and socializing. For the mission critical crowd, the opportunity to kick back and talk shop, seemed to be appreciated on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Monday night's festivities included the chance to see gear and view demonstrations. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Monday night's festivities included the chance to see gear and view demonstrations. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

What's Vegas without show girls? There were a few on hand to greet the participants attending the Las Vegas theme night. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

What's Vegas without show girls? There were a few on hand to greet the participants attending the Las Vegas theme night. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Assorted games of chance, cards, slots, roulette and more, fit into the Vegas theme. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Assorted games of chance, cards, slots, roulette and more, fit into the Vegas theme. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Conference attendees enjoyed hearty and regional food at the 7X24 Conference Monday night event in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Conference attendees enjoyed hearty and regional food at the 7X24 Conference Monday night event in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

After the day's sessions, participants take time to chat and catch up on Monday evening. The next event is slated for June of 2014 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

After the day's sessions, participants take time to chat and catch up on Monday evening. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

At the festivities at La Villita in downtown San Antonio Tuesday night, armadillos were on hand for petting and photo shoots. Armadillos are found in south central states, such as Texas. And according to Wikipedia, the word armadillo means "little armored one" in Spanish. (Photo by Rich Miller.)

At the festivities at La Villita in downtown San Antonio Tuesday night, armadillos were on hand for petting and photo shoots. Armadillos are found in south central states, such as Texas. And according to Wikipedia, the word armadillo means "little armored one" in Spanish. (Photo by Rich Miller.)

Tuesday night's festivities included boat rides on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and music by multiple bands. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)

Tuesday night's festivities included boat rides on the Riverwalk in San Antonio and music by multiple bands. The next event, the spring conference, is slated for June of 2014 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Colleen Miller.)