The Wall Street Journal this morning has an enlightening look at the ultra-secure SuperNAP data center in Las Vegas that is operated by Switch Communications Group in a manner that might call to mind Fort Knox.

(A collection of photos from inside SuperNAP)

The company boasts of having provided 100 percent uptime over the past five years and being fully prepared for any contingency, including a shortage of fuel for emergency backup generators. Here's a snippet from the story:

What if the power from the utility grid is interrupted? SuperNAP's 50-odd diesel generators can generate 140 megawatts of power. About 7,000 gallons of fuel is stored for each generator, which could keep the facility going for "a significant amount of time," (Switch executive vice president Jason) Mendenhall says.

What if that fuel runs out? Designated by the government as a "Tier 2″ facility - the only Tier 1 facility in Nevada is Hoover Dam - SuperNAP has priority to stay in operation that is higher than hospitals, Mendenhall said. Its security personnel, he said, are authorized in an emergency "to confiscate fuel if they have to."

Does that last part mean what I think it means?

I guess Uncle Sam really does have more than a passing interest in this place.

Welcome regulars and passersby. Here are a few more recent buzzblog items. And, if you’d like to receive Buzzblog via e-mail newsletter, here’s where to sign up. Follow me on Twitter here.