AI and high performance computing are reshaping the infrastructure of modern data centres. As graphics processing unit (GPU) clusters scale to unprecedented sizes, this shift is driving the emergence of 1.6Tb/s networking systems.

In this environment, cabling and connectivity have become strategic components rather than background infrastructure. High speed optical fibre, advanced connectors and improved cable management systems are essential for maintaining signal integrity at these kinds of data rates. Poorly designed cabling can introduce latency, signal loss and power inefficiencies that undermine the performance benefits of next generation networking hardware.

As network performance is only as strong as the physical layer supporting it, in this month’s Question Time we’ve asked a specially selected panel of industry experts to discuss why investing in scalable, high quality connectivity solutions will be critical to unlocking the full potential of 1.6Tb/s architectures. They also highlight what data centre operators should be doing to ensure readiness for higher speeds.

Power availability and reliability remain central concerns in the data centre industry, while improving efficiency and sustainability is critical to maintaining uptime and supporting future expansion. Ben Pritchard of AVK explains how smarter power infrastructure can help achieve net-zero targets, Matthew Baynes of Schneider Electric looks at how resilient UPS systems and intelligent power distribution architectures are emerging as enablers of growth, while Graham Hunt of Centiel tells us why preventative UPS maintenance is mission critical.

As digital transformation continues apace there is increasing need for compute power at the edge, with micro-modular data centres becoming increasingly popular. In this issue Chris Wellfair of Secure IT Environments (SITE) explains how to get the best from a fleet of micro data centres and Nash Maharaj of Vertiv examines the rise of micro-modular data centres and how they are empowering the edge computing revolution.

Rob Shepherd 
Editor