My visit to Hetzner Online in Falkenstein goes far beyond a tour of a single server, as the site reveals an impressive combination of industrial precision, technical depth and logistically sophisticated infrastructure. As soon as you enter the extensive grounds, it becomes clear that this is a data center park that has grown over many years and is now one of the most comprehensive sites of its kind in Germany. The paths between the individual areas are long and winding, the buildings are spread over a large area and even the internal transport routes look more like the access roads of a small industrial area. Anyone planning a similar project should really be prepared to walk several kilometers and prefer sturdy footwear, as even the employees walk considerable distances every day in this environment. And because I know you’d rather watch someone else sweating in the heat, I’ve made a movie of this experience today:
And if you’d like to read about what you see, here’s a brief overview of today’s action:
The highly structured layout of the site is already apparent at the main entrance. After registering, the tour leads directly past the colocation area, where customers can operate their own hardware and access a fully-fledged data center environment. The modular arrangement of the racks, the clearly separated supply routes and the functional design convey an image of precise organization that was to run through the entire visit.
From there, we moved on to the midi data centers, which are designed as compact modules and yet meet all the requirements of a modern data center. This part of the park clearly demonstrates Hetzner’s focus on practicality, as there is nothing superfluous here. Everything is designed for smooth processes, short maintenance times and high energy efficiency. The simplicity on the outside is deceptive, because the infrastructure inside meets the requirements of a large-scale IT operation in every respect.
The route then led me to the areas where the actual in-house production is visible. Hetzner produces a significant proportion of its servers itself and does not rely on exaggerated presentation, but on robust construction and standardized processes. Individual components are first tested, followed by the assembly of the systems with clearly defined work steps before the devices are transferred to extensive test tracks. The test benches for hard disks and SSDs run continuously to ensure both reliability and long-term stability. In addition, there are areas for hardware service, RMA processing and the complete testing of 19-inch systems, so that defective components or components requiring replacement can be processed directly on site.
Another station was the production and processing of racks and open frame systems, which are used for cloud services, object storage and internal production environments. This segment shows particularly clearly that Hetzner deliberately relies on functional design and regional suppliers. The racks are finalized, checked and prepared for continuous use in data center environments in-house. Airflow, stability and ease of assembly are the main focus, as every second and every move counts in mass deployment.
Finally, in the decommissioning area, it becomes clear how carefully the entire life cycle of the hardware is handled. Discarded devices go through a complete documentation process before they are destroyed in a specially certified shredder, which renders both magnetic hard drives and SSDs safe and permanently unusable. The remnants then enter the regulated disposal process, which is also documented in detail.
The technical foundation of the site is particularly noteworthy. The redundant energy supply, the sophisticated network connection and the consistent use of free cooling form a system that enables maximum operating comfort with the lowest possible energy consumption. Thanks to the climatic location in the Vogtland region, a large part of the cooling can be achieved using outside air alone, resulting in low PUE values and a very stable thermal environment. The technical impression is so impressive that you almost forget how much work is behind the realization and ongoing operation.
Visitors quickly realize that a tour of Falkenstein is by no means a short detour. The dimensions, the number of halls and the distribution of the individual production and service areas inevitably mean that several kilometers have to be covered on foot. Good walking shoes are therefore not a bad recommendation. Anyone interested in infrastructure, technology and data center processes will gain an in-depth insight that goes far beyond what you would expect from the outside. Falkenstein is not an anonymous data location, but a highly organized interplay of production, service, operation and security that is rarely seen in this form. If you can get in…
So much for the script, but now just watch the finished cinematic product, because videos don’t hurt and I’ve kept it really short!
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