brownfield (brownfield deployment, brownfield site)

What is a brownfield deployment?

A brownfield deployment, in information technology, is the installation and configuration of new hardware or software that must coexist with legacy IT systems. A greenfield deployment, in contrast, is the installation and configuration of software or hardware that a company has not used before and is not dependent upon legacy technology.

The terms brownfield and greenfield come from the building industry, where brownfield means "previously developed land" and greenfield means "undeveloped land." In information technology, as with construction, brownfield deployments can be cost-effective because the infrastructure to support the new installation is likely already in place. However, brownfield deployments can be complicated due to the need to rectify dependencies between the new and current installations.

In construction, a brownfield site is land that was previously used for industrial purposes. Examples of brownfield sites include abandoned factories, gas stations or strip malls. Brownfield redevelopment can be cost-effective because access roads, sewers, water service lines and even buildings are already in place. However, the presence of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants left behind by the previous tenant can complicate brownfield site redevelopment.

Data centers are encouraged to use brownfield sites to repurpose existing infrastructure and limit land use. Data center construction can take about 18 months to complete, but the use of brownfield sites can expedite construction. For example, Elon Musk's company xAI repurposed a former Electrolux factory in Memphis, Tennessee, building its Colossus data center in 122 days.