CA's virus zoo reaches melting point

Software vendor CA plans to move its Melbourne-based antivirus labs to a new facility after exhausting the space and energy resources at its current location -- by consuming as much power as an average metal-welding factory.

CA's antivirus lab currently looks, in the words of the company's vice president, development, Eugene Dozortsev, like a "scene from Space Odyssey 2001".

Like many ageing IT facilities, the lab struggles to maintain power usage within the limits set by the landlord. Dozortsev said the labs have over 1,000 computers on one floor -- at an average ratio of 12 to 13 computers per head.

"The amount of hardware we have on the floor is kind of embarrassing," he said, waving his hand over a cluttered office of beige boxes. "We've recently been issued with a letter from the landlord that we are in breach of our agreement because we generate as much heat as your average metal-welding factory."

The air conditioning systems in the building are failing to cope with such high-cooling demands, he said.

"To keep a normal temperature on our floor they have to freeze the people on the upper floor and on the bottom floor, and they complain."

To cope with the exhaustive amount of machines, CA has had to hire additional air conditioning units -- sending 70's era sci-fi-chic piping throughout the facility.

"It's nothing to be proud of -- the situation is that we have outgrown this building," he said. "We have to move out."

Dozortsev said the company has secured a new "custom-built" facility. But local CA representatives have since said that the lease for the new facility is yet to be signed.