AWS Public Sector Blog

Deploying AWS Modular Data Center: From ordering to delivery and installation

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The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Modular Data Center (MDC) is a service that enables rapid deployment of AWS managed data centers for running location- or latency-sensitive applications in locations with limited infrastructure. It reduces deployment time in remote areas and supports up to five racks of AWS Outposts or AWS Snow Family devices. This self-contained solution uses two 20-foot shipping containers to create an ICD-705 compliant shielded enclosure, equipped as a data center with built-in power distribution, redundant cooling (N+1), security, monitoring, fire suppression, and other essential infrastructure components. The AWS MDC service is designed for customers who need to run low-latency applications on-site, but lack suitable data center space. For example, defense, national security, and humanitarian agencies can deploy the MDC to run compute- and storage-intensive workloads at the tactical edge, processing large volumes of data with artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) to enable real-time decision-making where low-latency is critical.

In this post, we guide you through the end-to-end process of deploying the MDC at your site. We also define the roles and responsibilities between Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the customer to provide clarity for successful deployment, improve operational availability, and enhance security posture. By the end, you will have a clear understanding of how to deploy the MDC at your site in six stages. 

The six deployment stages

We recognize that each deployment is unique, so we work closely with you throughout the process to ensure a seamless delivery of the MDC. The MDC deployment process consists of six stages:

  1. Order submission
  2. Site assessment validation and site preparation
  3. Order approval
  4. Delivery
  5. Installation and commissioning
  6. Government security accreditation

Figure 1. The end-to-end process of deploying the MDC at your site in six stages.

The following sections provide detailed information on each stage, helping you understand the deployment process and prepare effectively.

Stage 1: Order submission

The ordering process is consultative to address each customer’s unique needs. Start by completing and submitting the contact form on the AWS MDC page in the AWS Management Console (Figure 2). After you submit the form, we will contact the primary account owner within two business days. If you are unsure who the primary account owner is, contact your AWS account team.

During this stage, we work with you to understand your use case for the MDC and gather site information using the site preparation questionnaire. This includes site characteristics such as deployment location, weather conditions, power, network connectivity, and security requirements to identify infrastructure dependencies. We also help determine the best MDC configuration and AWS Outposts or AWS Snowball Edge device capacity for your needs. If the predefined configurations do not meet your needs, we can work with you to create a custom configuration tailored to your requirements.

Figure 2. Contact form in the AWS Management Console.

Stage 2: Site assessment validation and site preparation

After receiving your order request and site information, we dispatch our AWS or AWS qualified technicians to conduct a site assessment validation based on the details you provided in the site preparation questionnaire. This visit aims to verify that your site meets the MDC requirements (shown in the following table). To prepare for the site visit, we request that you provide the AWS team with your on-site points of contact and full access to the site. During the visit, we will gather information to assist with the installation and identify any issues that must be resolved before installing the MDC. Once the site assessment validation is complete, we review the results and inform you of any follow-up actions needed to prepare the site. While you are responsible for ensuring the site meets the requirements, we provide the necessary information to help you complete the work and assess it before installation. Before we can install and commission the MDC at your site, you must work with the AWS team to verify that the site meets all requirements and complete a successful site assessment validation.

Category

Requirement
Installation location (pad)

The installation requires a 20-foot by 30-foot concrete pad or compacted gravel surface.
Clearance

The MDC footprint measures 16 feet by 20 feet (4.9 m x 6.1 m) and requires at least 8 feet (2.4 m) of service clearance on all sides. This entire area should be accessible by forklift or other load handling equipment to facilitate loading the racks.
Weight support

The location and access route for installing and removing the MDC must be able to support the combined weight of the MDC, handling equipment, and delivery vehicles. The installation pad itself must be capable of bearing at least 50,000 pounds without settling.
Seismic bracing

To the extent required by regulations or building codes, you must maintain appropriate seismic bracing or anchors for the MDC while it is installed in your facility.
Facility access

You must not make any changes to the facility that negatively impact the ability of AWS to access, service, or remove the MDC. If additional security measures, such as fencing or security cameras, are required, coordinate with your AWS representative.
Temperature and humidity

The ambient outdoor temperature must be within the range of -20°F (-30°C) to 127°F (53°C), and the relative humidity must be between 5% and 95%. If installed indoors, the MDC requires adequate air circulation to maintain the same temperature and humidity range while operating.
Elevation

The site where the MDC is installed must be located at an elevation below 10,000 feet (3,050 meters) above sea level.
Power

For a redundant feed configuration, the MDC requires dual 400/480 VAC, 3-phase, 50/60Hz, 175A feeds. The MDC can operate with a single power feed in a reduced redundancy configuration.
Networking

The MDC networking requirements may vary based on your needs—coordinate with your AWS representative. The MDC networking rack can accommodate up to 10U of customer-provided networking and encryption hardware. Additionally, the rack can also supply redundant, UPS-protected A+B power feeds.

For more information about the site requirements, refer to the AWS Modular Data Center User Guide.

Phase 3: Order approval

Once the site assessment validation is complete, you need to agree to the service terms and conditions and issue a purchase order to finalize the order process. The service team will then build, pre-configure, and prepare your MDC for shipment. After the MDC completes the manufacturing cycle, it will be shipped according to the delivery and installation date arranged with your on-site personnel.

Phase 4: Delivery

When the MDC is ready, we will coordinate with you for the delivery of the unit to your site for assembly and installation. The MDC ships unclassified with standard commercial security measures, including tamper-evident seals and opaque wrapping. If classified delivery is required, we can work with you to coordinate courier support to escort the MDC to a continental United States (CONUS) airport or port of embarkation. The MDC can be transported by road, rail, ship, and military aircraft (specifically C-17 or C-5).

AWS is responsible for overseeing transportation and logistics within CONUS, including coordinating with carriers, handling loading and unloading, and delivering the MDC to your site. We also arrange the necessary equipment, such as a crane or forklift, to position the MDC on a leveled pad that meets site requirements. For sites outside the continental United States (OCONUS), the customer is responsible for transportation and logistics, including carrier coordination, loading and unloading, delivery, and acting as the importer of record. The customer will also need to arrange for equipment to place the MDC on a leveled pad. 

Phase 5: Installation and commissioning

Installation begins as soon as the AWS team arrives and checks in with your designated point of contact. Before unloading the MDC, our team will conduct a final site review to ensure that site conditions meet MDC requirements. If the site does not meet the necessary requirements, the deployment will be delayed. It is crucial that you complete all site work prior to MDC delivery to avoid delays. You are also responsible for giving the AWS team access to the site. AWS support might be limited if the MDC is deployed in an inaccessible area.

Once the MDC is positioned on the designated concrete or gravel pad, our team will proceed with assembly and installation. This process typically takes 1–2 weeks, depending on site conditions. We manage the assembly, installation, and testing of all MDC components, including the mechanical and electrical systems. We will also procure and install all necessary fiber within the MDC to support AWS provided equipment, including inspecting and testing electrical installations. You are responsible for providing and connecting all external fiber and power cables to the MDC, including those for power, networking, and emergency management systems to ensure proper operation. During installation, it is mandatory for your qualified electricians to connect and energize the MDC. You are responsible for providing and connecting power to the MDC in accordance with AWS start-up procedures and relevant laws, electrical codes, and building fire codes.

Upon completion of commissioning, your maintenance services begin. Because the MDC is physically located at your site, maintaining the unit is a shared responsibility between AWS and the customer. AWS will provide preventative and corrective maintenance, including periodic inspections and repairs by AWS or AWS certified technicians, and will procure and store critical spare parts to ensure the availability of long lead time components. AWS will also install and maintain a fire suppression system within the MDC. You are responsible for regularly inspecting and monitoring the MDC, promptly reporting any error conditions to AWS, and connecting the fire suppression and alarm system to an operations center to alert on-site personnel of any issues and ensure timely responses. You must also maintain the physical security of the MDC. Lastly, the MDC includes a built-in monitoring system that, when connected to an AWS Region, can be used with Amazon CloudWatch to remotely monitor the MDC’s health.

The MDC is designed to meet the ICD-705 Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) requirements and can be accredited to host data up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI). The MDC is constructed and tested to ensure compliance with the Telecommunications Electronics Materials Protected from Emanating Spurious Transmissions (TEMPEST) Radio Frequency (RF) shielding, as well as acoustic and thermal requirements. If the MDC needs to be accredited as a SCIF, it will also be ready for the customer’s authorizing official (AO) after commissioning is complete. The customer is responsible for identifying the appropriate AO and obtaining the necessary accreditation.

Phase 6: Government security accreditation

To use the MDC with specific government agencies, the customer is responsible for obtaining the required Authority to Operate (ATO) and/or Authority to Connect (ATC) with the appropriate AO. We will assist by providing the necessary documentation during the accreditation process. If accreditation is required, the installation and testing of AWS racks for classified workloads inside the MDC should only be done after the accreditation is obtained. Once accreditation is obtained, the MDC will be ready for rack installations. AWS will then assemble, install, and test the AWS racks inside the MDC. 

Conclusion

In this post, we discussed the six stages for deploying the AWS Modular Data Center, from order submission to delivery and installation. To ensure a successful deployment, follow these key steps for each stage: 

  1. Order submission – Complete the contact form on the AWS Management Console. Work with AWS to finalize your MDC configuration based on your requirements and complete the site preparation questionnaire.
  2. Site assessment validation and site preparation – Work with AWS to compete a site assessment validation. Complete any necessary site work based on the site assessment results before MDC installation and commissioning.
  3. Order approval – Confirm your order by agreeing to the service terms and issuing a purchase order. AWS will then build, pre-configure, and prepare your MDC for shipment.
  4. Delivery – Coordinate with AWS for delivery logistics. If your site is outside the continental United States, you will be required to manage your own logistics and equipment. Make sure the site is ready for the arrival and placement of the MDC.
  5. Installation and commissioning – Make the site accessible for AWS. Support the installation team with power connections. AWS will handle assembly, installation, and testing of the MDC.
  6. Government security accreditation – If accreditation is required, obtain the ATO and/or ATC from your AO. AWS will assist with documentation, and then complete the rack installation after accreditation is obtained.

Note: AWS Modular Data Center is currently available to U.S. Government customers under the Joint Warfighting Cloud Capability (JWCC) contract. AWS Modular Data Center is currently supported in the AWS GovCloud (US-West) Region and AWS GovCloud (US-East) Region.

To learn more about AWS Modular Data Center, contact your AWS account representative.