Data center transformation

Many organizations want to leverage AI applications that can boost productivity and enhance the user experience. Yet these efforts necessitate substantial data center infrastructure:

• Low-latency, lossless networks: AI applications need networks that are optimized for low latency and lossless data transmission. AI-native infrastructure ensures high throughput and quick job completion.
• Scalability and flexibility: Modern data centers must scale to handle increased traffic and processing power for AI/ML applications. High throughput and energy-efficient design are vital for managing large data volumes.
• Enhanced visibility and automation: AI workloads benefit from infrastructure that offers visibility into network performance and automates routine tasks, reducing complexity and improving security.

AI can also revolutionize your data center operations. Use AI technologies to manage everyday tasks, optimize resource allocation, and provide predictive analytics for smarter decision making. In addition, these systems can improve workload management, quickly detect anomalies, and ensure seamless operations.

To fully leverage AI capabilities, modernizing your data center is fundamental. Data center modernization involves transforming your infrastructure to support the integration of machine learning algorithms, enhance scalability, and improve visibility into server performance. This ensures your data center is equipped to handle the demands of AI, making your systems more responsive, reliable, and future proof.

Data is the lifeblood of your data center. Your infrastructure should reflect both where your data is hosted and where it is used. Strategic planning is needed to ensure your data center is fully equipped to meet these demands reliably.  

Key considerations

• Data sovereignty: Hosting data within specific geographical boundaries to comply with local laws is crucial, especially for public sector entities and organizations handling sensitive information.
• Threat protection: Modern data centers face sophisticated threats that require dynamic security policies to protect applications and data across physical and multicloud environments.
• Data at the edge: Today’s business climate puts greater demands on latency-sensitive applications and requires greater processing power where the data is used—at the edge. 

Strategies for managing data

• Zero-trust security framework: Adopt a zero-trust security framework to ensure all data center interactions are verified and secure, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
• Hosting on premises or at the edge: Reduce your attack surface by maintaining sensitive data on premises on hardware you control and use multilayered application security to protect data at the edge.  
• Support for mission-critical applications: Deliver outcomes like robotic surgeries and industrial automation, where low latency and network consistency are essential to avoid catastrophic outcomes. 

These strategies help create a secure, compliant data center environment that aligns no matter where the data resides.

Modernizing data centers isn't just about keeping up with the latest tech. It's also about making them more cost effective and sustainable, which can support corporate social responsibility initiatives and enhance your brand's reputation.

Here are three key ways to amp up your energy efficiency: 

• Optimize cooling systems: Implement advanced cooling techniques like direct-to-chip, backdoor heat exchanger, and immersive cooling. These methods improve cooling efficiency and reduce energy consumption.
• Deploy energy-efficient hardware: Upgrade to modern hardware that is designed for high energy efficiency and lower power consumption.
• Adopt sustainable design practices: Design data centers with sustainability in mind. Optimize power, space, and cooling capacity through smart equipment choices and thoughtful design.

The perks of being energy efficient:

• Operational cost savings: Energy-efficient practices reduce operational costs, providing long-term financial benefits.
• Reduced energy requirements: By optimizing energy use, you lower the amount needed, making it easier to secure the necessary energy.
• Diminished environmental impact: Lower energy consumption leads to decreased greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a more sustainable environment.