Data center containment aisle with white cabinets

AI-Ready: Prepare Your Customer's Data Center for the Future

By Panduit | October 4, 2024
Read Time: 3 Minutes

In an age of digital transformation, Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer the only focus. Today, the attention has turned to AI. What is AI exactly and how does it correlate to the data center industry? AI is a technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities. Organizations are adopting AI at a rapid pace, creating unprecedented demand for data center capacity.

For data center operators who need to accommodate this demand, the most commonly asked questions are: What infrastructure technologies are needed to handle high-density workloads? How can I optimize power and cooling in my environment to effectively manage the infrastructure? How do I ensure that the technology inside my data center infrastructure today is going to account for future growth?

While many questions remain, Panduit is at the forefront of strategizing with our partners to determine their customer’s AI initiatives and what would be the best course of action to reach their goals. At Panduit, we have taken a proactive approach to developing a simple, four-step plan to assist you and your customers to meet objectives.

1. AI workloads require massive computational power which generates a significant amount of heat, making advanced cooling one of the top priorities

When analyzing their environment, it is critical to determine their future roadmap of transition from air to liquid cooling. When selecting the appropriate cooling methods for high-density workloads, it is important to take into consideration kilowatt (KW) requirements, water temperature, and pressure. There are various technologies currently in the marketplace place to assist with cooling requirements which include hot and cold aisle containment, rear door heat exchangers (RDHx), and liquid cooling that can help support your customer's diverse and dense racks.

2. AI workloads are energy intensive, so improving overall data center efficiency is key

Utilizing energy-efficient smart power distribution units (PDUs) and modular uninterruptable power supply (UPS) solutions will help with the monitoring and optimizing power usage effectiveness can significantly improve your customer's data center’s efficiency and help mitigate risk on any outages.

3. AI applications, especially those involving real-time decision-making, require minimal latency.

Structured cabling systems should minimize latency by ensuring that data signal travels quickly and without interference. To reduce crosstalk and electromagnetic interference (EMI), shielded twisted pair cabling may be used where copper is still necessary. However, in many AI data centers, fiber optics remain the preferred option due to their inherent resistance to EMI and cross talk which translates to lower latency.

4. Utilize Panduit’s team of AI-dedicated professionals to conduct a thorough assessment of your customers’ infrastructure energy consumption levels.

From there, we will recommend which comprehensive set of products and solutions will be best to enable their AI network.

In conclusion, helping future proof your customer's data center to be AI ready takes a multifaceted approach that addresses your customer's infrastructure, power, structured cabling, and cooling requirements. By investing in AI-specific hardware, enhancing power, determining future-proof cooling systems, adopting scalable designs, and optimizing for energy efficiency, you and your customers can ensure that their data center is ready to meet the emerging demands of AI today and for the future.

Future-Proof Your Data Center With Panduit

Learn More

ABOUT THE SPONSOR

This article was brought to you in partnership with Panduit.
Panduit is a global manufacturer of physical infrastructure equipment that supports power, communications, computing, control and security systems. Since 1955, Panduit has delivered innovative connectivity solutions that help their customers compete and succeed in a constantly evolving global marketplace.