Backbone Site: Difference between revisions
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Networking is where Backbone Site gets its name from. This is where bundles of optical cables branch between Benacia, Apollonia, and the isles of Amity and Yardistan from which data transfer goes on further south. Backbone Site is also equipped with a strong [[POEL]] array. Its location thus provides it a somewhat unique opportunity to be a nexus of data passing between Shireroth and the rest of the world, and inside Shireroth. | Networking is where Backbone Site gets its name from. This is where bundles of optical cables branch between Benacia, Apollonia, and the isles of Amity and Yardistan from which data transfer goes on further south. Backbone Site is also equipped with a strong [[POEL]] array. Its location thus provides it a somewhat unique opportunity to be a nexus of data passing between Shireroth and the rest of the world, and inside Shireroth. | ||
How much access the | How much access the Octopus Array has to the gigabits of data passing through the Backbone Site [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_Exchange_Point Internet Exchange Point] (BSIX) every second is kept somewhat unclear to outsiders. | ||
=== Electronics manufacturing === | === Electronics manufacturing === | ||
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While the cost of these economic functions has been steadily growing during all of the existence of Backbone Site, this sanct is still one of the cheaper places to get the job done. | While the cost of these economic functions has been steadily growing during all of the existence of Backbone Site, this sanct is still one of the cheaper places to get the job done. | ||
=== The Octopus Array === | |||
The Octopus Array is the name given for the supercomputer running the [[Hunter-Seeker]]. It is mostly built out of computer parts left over from the electronics recycling industry - computers sent in to be repaired for which a replacement was immediately sent, etc.. | |||
The array is maintained, and paid and spoken for by the Hunter-Seeker Association. Physically, it is an an impressive economic force, drawing over three megawatts of power and requiring a constant stream of replacement hardware requiring a squad of ten engineers to just put it all in place. Indirectly, the entire thing probably pays the wages of hundreds of people. More impressively, the HSA games the stock market constantly, but stays out of sight behind a facade of subsidiaries and affiliates - it is difficult to determine its actual effect on the economy. Many analysts place it as one of the most significant economic movers in all of Straylight. | |||
== Architecture == | == Architecture == | ||
The basic design of Backbone Site is a somewhat plain floating-spar platform designed by a committee led by [[Pentero Antun]]. It has kept the sanct afloat for well over four hundred years by ASC 3066. | The basic design of Backbone Site is a somewhat plain floating-spar platform designed by a committee led by [[Pentero Antun]]. It has kept the sanct afloat for well over four hundred years by ASC 3066. | ||
Backbone Site is, unlike most sancts, tightly anchored on spot on the seafloor. While the materials required for anchoring a sanct aren't exactly cheap, Backbone Site has profited from the choice as the matter of running communication cables is greatly simplified. | |||
== The Breakers == | == The Breakers == | ||
The society of Backbone Site is famous for the group known as the Breakers. More on their history will become available as soon as the rest of Straylightian history is worked out. They are a group of remarkable cultural resilience, maybe about five hundred years old, about two thousand strong. Most of the Breakers live in Backbone Site, and they are predominantly employed by the electronics recycling industry. | The society of Backbone Site is famous for the group known as the Breakers. More on their history will become available as soon as the rest of Straylightian history is worked out. There will probably be quite a bit of it. They are a group of remarkable cultural resilience, maybe about five hundred years old, about two thousand strong. Most of the Breakers live in Backbone Site, and they are predominantly employed by the electronics recycling industry. | ||
Revision as of 08:27, 28 December 2007
Backbone Site is a sanct located northwest of Discontinuity. In the last fifty years or so in its life, its COSAC-affiliated government has been attributed great achievements toward social equality for its slightly over 20000 citizens.
Economy
The primary economic functions of Backbone Site arise from its location, networking infrastructure, and industry in electronics manufacturing, recycling and salvage.
Networking
Networking is where Backbone Site gets its name from. This is where bundles of optical cables branch between Benacia, Apollonia, and the isles of Amity and Yardistan from which data transfer goes on further south. Backbone Site is also equipped with a strong POEL array. Its location thus provides it a somewhat unique opportunity to be a nexus of data passing between Shireroth and the rest of the world, and inside Shireroth.
How much access the Octopus Array has to the gigabits of data passing through the Backbone Site Internet Exchange Point (BSIX) every second is kept somewhat unclear to outsiders.
Electronics manufacturing
While not really a factor to set Backbone Site apart, the sanct does currently house two large semiconductor fabrication plants.
Electronics recycling and salvage
While the cost of these economic functions has been steadily growing during all of the existence of Backbone Site, this sanct is still one of the cheaper places to get the job done.
The Octopus Array
The Octopus Array is the name given for the supercomputer running the Hunter-Seeker. It is mostly built out of computer parts left over from the electronics recycling industry - computers sent in to be repaired for which a replacement was immediately sent, etc..
The array is maintained, and paid and spoken for by the Hunter-Seeker Association. Physically, it is an an impressive economic force, drawing over three megawatts of power and requiring a constant stream of replacement hardware requiring a squad of ten engineers to just put it all in place. Indirectly, the entire thing probably pays the wages of hundreds of people. More impressively, the HSA games the stock market constantly, but stays out of sight behind a facade of subsidiaries and affiliates - it is difficult to determine its actual effect on the economy. Many analysts place it as one of the most significant economic movers in all of Straylight.
Architecture
The basic design of Backbone Site is a somewhat plain floating-spar platform designed by a committee led by Pentero Antun. It has kept the sanct afloat for well over four hundred years by ASC 3066.
Backbone Site is, unlike most sancts, tightly anchored on spot on the seafloor. While the materials required for anchoring a sanct aren't exactly cheap, Backbone Site has profited from the choice as the matter of running communication cables is greatly simplified.
The Breakers
The society of Backbone Site is famous for the group known as the Breakers. More on their history will become available as soon as the rest of Straylightian history is worked out. There will probably be quite a bit of it. They are a group of remarkable cultural resilience, maybe about five hundred years old, about two thousand strong. Most of the Breakers live in Backbone Site, and they are predominantly employed by the electronics recycling industry.
