Data Centers and Dark Fiber: 7 Things To Know
Considering dark fiber for your data center? It can be a great solution, but it’s not right for every circumstance. Here are some facts and considerations when considering building a dark fiber network. 1. What is dark fiber? “Dark fiber” refers to unused fiber optical cables. These cables are installed, configured, and ready to use, but they’re not yet connected to anything. They will remain “dark” until they’re connected to electronic equipment and “lit” (activated) for transmissions. 2. Why do data centers use dark fiber? Dark fiber is often kept in reserve so data centers can expand their networks quickly. Rather than installing new cables each time bandwidth demand grows, […]
7 Reasons Why the AI Investment Boom Could Bust
Goldman Sachs has released a startling figure claiming that $1,000,000,000,000 will be spent on AI infrastructure in data centers over the next few years. Yes, that is one trillion dollars—a number usually reserved for discussing the GDP of entire nations, rather than investments in growing tech sectors. Perhaps if Goldman Sachs had more confidence that this massive investment would pay off, the news wouldn’t be so alarming. But the investment banking giant released this report sounding the alarm that a massive amount of money is currently being funneled into a technology that may not ever be able to provide a return on investment. Yes, AI seems promising and will surely […]
Innovative Power Solutions For Modern Data Centers
Data center power requirements are growing. With AI, 5G, edge computing, and more cutting-edge technologies churning through power at incredible rates, data centers are already having trouble keeping up in many cases. To make matters more complicated, environmental regulations keep getting stricter as the push for green energy intensifies. Traditional energy sources may keep the lights on and the servers running, but data center operators are finding it harder and harder to stay within energy consumption guidelines while doing so. Even without strict regulations, the drain on local power grids is often substantial enough that nearby residents dislike living near data centers. This can make obtaining permits challenging for renovations, […]
6 Risks AI Poses to Data Center Operations
Artificial intelligence (AI) is hot. New SaaS AI programs appear every day, companies are embracing new AI solutions, and individual consumers use AI for everything from homework help to creating diet plans. However, as useful as AI seems to be, it brings with it a number of security issues—for individuals, corporations, and data centers alike. You may have heard stories of unscrupulous developers training AI with stolen user data, for example, or AI algorithms scraping personal images and private conversations. It has also become a regular occurrence for employees to accidentally leak company secrets by asking AI models to proofread emails, fix broken code, or analyze documents. People are more […]
5 Design Changes Data Centers Are Making To Accommodate AI
With the proliferation of AI in everyday society, data centers are having to redesign—and often rebuild—an infrastructure that can effectively and efficiently meet the increased demands. Many of the adaptations data centers are making involve improving cooling systems. Data center managers are upgrading to liquid cooling, clearing floor and headspace for liquid cooling tubes, or relocating facilities to cooler locations. Cooling is a priority. But cooling is not the only design change that data centers are making because of AI. Here are five of the types of design changes that data centers are focused on to accommodate AI’s rapid growth. 1. More Efficient Cooling Systems Greater power usage means greater […]
The Impact Of Generative AI On Data Center Networks
AI’s impact on data center networks is considerable and multifaceted. There is every reason to expect AI to continue exploding into the mainstream in almost every application imaginable. An example is a current proposal for AI-powered refrigerators that recommend what the users should eat. This perfusion of AI into everyday consumer life means that data center resources are being used more heavily than ever. Combined with the simultaneous surge in edge computing and 5G, it’s obvious why data centers are experiencing rapid growth and change. Here are some of the ways modern data centers are adapting to cope with the extreme demands placed by AI. Data centers are using more […]
Data Center Safety: 8 Key Components
Data centers can be dangerous, even for experienced workers. There are plenty of opportunities for something to go wrong, with electrical work, fire and tripping hazards, and employees often having to manually lift and move very heavy equipment. Understanding the potential dangers in data center environments ensures the proper precautions can be taken. The Top Eight Components of Data Center Safety 1. Stay up-to-date on risk assessments and protocols Data center safety today is very different from the safety protocols of ten years ago. Safety protocols change quickly, and so do the risks in data centers. New potential hazards are introduced any time new equipment comes in, racks are rearranged, […]
8 AI-Driven Data Center Changes That Are Coming
The rapid rise of AI and its impact on our lives is a hot topic in the media. Many in the technology industry are wondering how AI will affect data centers. Because the demand for AI computing could impact everything from real estate to power needs to the supply chain, will the existing data center infrastructure be enough? Here are eight important infrastructure changes data centers are facing because of artificial intelligence. 1. A Run on Real Estate The first AI-driven infrastructure change data centers will probably see is a growing demand for data center real estate. Hyperscale users have been busy pre-leasing most of the available space. With vacancy […]
The 7 Top Data Center Trends for 2024
Data centers play a crucial role in allowing enterprises to process, access, and store mission-critical data for their daily operations. As the world sees technology evolve at an unprecedented pace, data centers are keeping up. The past year alone saw new data center technologies and concepts emerge, such as climate-conscious cooling. Data centers are uniquely poised to operate responsibly and sustainably while helping their enterprise clients take advantage of technological advancements to help them achieve their strategic goals. Here is our annual report on the top seven trends that will affect data centers in 2024. 1. Hyperscale Becomes the Norm The ability of IT architecture to scale appropriately to the […]
6 Weird Data Center Locations
Many data centers are located in or near metropolitan areas because of their proximity to customers and to potential employees. However, as available land diminishes in tech corridors and local governments and residents begin pushing back on additional development, data center providers are looking at alternative housing options for their facilities. Unconventional locales are not just intriguing, but they also offer some great advantages. Why Locate Data Centers in Unusual Places? In some instances, data center providers are tasked with delivering cloud accessibility to rural communities or businesses that have chosen to set up shop in less-than-hospitable regions of the world. In other scenarios, visionary data center providers want to […]
