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Inside Manchester's brain

24 August 2006

The Internet: it's how we chat, shop, learn, do business, bank and even find new soulmates. But how does it work? In the UK's second biggest IT city, join me on a fact-finding trip - inside Manchester's brain.

I'll let you into a secret: Manchester's brain is on the second floor of a large windowless building in Hulme, just off Princess Parkway. And I've been inside its inner cortex.

If you've ever wondered what the Internet's like behind the scenes, this is the place. And let me tell you - it hums: the combined drone of thousands of computer fans seems to resonate in your chest cavity. To be honest, it's like no place I've ever been to.

"It's noisy, it's hot in places, it's cold in others and on certain occasions when there are issues you'll have a lot of hustle and bustle of staff going backwards and forwards trying to diagnose faults. So it's probably nothing like anyone has ever experienced really."

Fast net race

Neil Lathwood is the technical director for Manchester-based UKFast - twice voted the UK's best web hosting provider - and along with the University, the biggest operator in MaNOC. And after six years, he knows this place better than anyone.

For the whole article please see the BBC website.

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