Infrastructure Management

Aligned and Lambda to power next-gen AI infrastructure

Aligned Data Centers, a technology infrastructure company offering innovative, sustainable and adaptive scale data centres and build-to-scale solutions for global hyperscale and enterprise customers, has announced a partnership with Lambda, the AI developer cloud, to provide customers with data centre infrastructure and an AI cloud platform ready to sustainably accelerate their AI growth. Lambda will occupy Aligned’s newest Dallas-Fort Worth area facility, DFW-04, which will be designed to be a liquid-cooled data centre capable of supporting the highest-density Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). “We’re proud to partner with Lambda to support the buildout of its GPU cloud infrastructure, accelerated by NVIDIA, for AI deployments, which is transforming how AI developers innovate and businesses utilising AI models operate,” states Andrew Schaap, CEO of Aligned. “Particularly in Dallas, where demand for AI computation space has spiked interest in a growing market, combining a GPU cloud built specifically for AI workloads with an AI-ready data centre designed with liquid cooling technologies capable of supporting the highest-density environments will be a game changer.” Aligned is at the forefront of building and operating adaptive data centres that future-proof IT infrastructure and provide seamless flexibility for transitions between a variety of deployments ranging from enterprise applications, to cloud, and high-density AI implementation. The company’s ultra-scalable and flexible Adaptive Modular Infrastructure (AMI) and innovative air, liquid, and hybrid cooling solutions future-proof IT deployments, mitigate IT obsolescence, and maximise asset lifespan. While committing to sustainability as a core pillar of its customer-focused business strategy, the company has been advancing data centre energy efficiency and cooling technologies for more than a decade, including its patented Delta3 air-cooled system. Aligned's patent-pending DeltaFlow liquid cooling system delivers excellent performance for AI innovation, supporting virtually any density and GPU cloud requirement, and the company’s scalable, sustainable infrastructure is enabling next-generation AI workloads. Aligned says that its partnership with Lambda exemplifies its dedication to leading AI service providers. Lambda's AI Developer Cloud is used by AI engineers and industry experts who have shaped modern artificial intelligence. The partnership with Aligned will see Lambda’s AI Cloud platform integrated into the company’s new DFW-04 data centre, which is currently under construction in Plano, Texas. A determinative factor of this alliance is that Aligned’s seamless and adaptive infrastructure for next-gen AI will easily support infrastructure accelerated by NVIDIA Blackwell and NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra, as well as the future generations of AI platforms. “With its unrelenting focus on driving disruptive innovation in data centre design, energy efficiency and cooling, Aligned is the ideal partner to help Lambda build large, flexible space that meets the AI demands of today and tomorrow,” comments Lambda VP, Data Center Infrastructure, Ken Patchett. “Deploying AI at scale is no easy feat, and Aligned’s ability to rapidly deliver AI-ready infrastructure, along with its passion for supporting customers with a consistently high-touch, world-class experience, is instrumental to meet the aggressive scale, quality and speed standards Lambda sets for its public and private deployments.” For more from Aligned Data Centers, click here.

R&M introduces inteliPhy digital solution portfolio

R&M, a globally active Swiss developer and provider of high-end infrastructure solutions for data and communications networks, is realigning its digital inteliPhy solutions. "We are developing inteliPhy into a consistently application-oriented suite with four application areas and up to seven software packages that all interact flexibly and work in a manufacturer-agnostic manner," says Product Manager, Dr. Sophia Borowka. In this way, R&M is aiming to meet the different requirements of users and markets in a more differentiated way. inteliPhy, R&M's software, has always been able to do more than just data centre infrastructure management (DCIM). In order to take this fact into account, the software has been expanded to three application areas. Its use as a design tool is aimed at planners. Among other things, it includes features for cross-site infrastructure planning, collaboration, drawing and material list creation. Its use as a CMS (cable management system) supports the infrastructure management of complex office buildings and public transport and communications networks. This is where R&M combines all functions for connectivity, asset management, compliance and sustainability. Its use as a DCIM tool covers an operation manager’s entire work area. The features support the monitoring of the active infrastructure including IT equipment across several sites and asset management, which leads to increased availability, enables cost management and speeds up operational readiness. Last but not least, automated infrastructure management (AIM) enables real-time monitoring of the otherwise passive patch panels. It is the last module of the inteliPhy suite and connects hardware and software. In addition to the basic package inteliPhy Core, the three software application areas Design, CMS and DCIM contain further ready-made application packages. Visualisations, reporting, user management and templates for the model library are included by default. Customers can add or deselect application packages as required. "You only subscribe to what you need," says Sophia Borowka. The application packages offer solutions for KPIs, workflows, automation, geolocation, monitoring, AIM, capacity and asset management including warehousing, for example. R&M also supports APIs for connecting to other management and control systems. For more from R&M, click here.

Schneider unveils enhanced GenieEvo with 31.5kA fault rating

Schneider Electric has announced the launch of GenieEvo 31.5kA in the UK and Ireland.  GenieEvo is an air insulated medium voltage switchgear offering, with resilience, safety and reliability at its core.  Its higher fault current protection of 31.5kA, up from 25kA in previous iterations, means it reduces the risk of power outages by minimisig the dangers of equipment damage in the event of power overloads or short circuits  GenieEvo is digital in design and comes with Schneider Electric’s EcoCare membership services plan. It incorporates smart Internet of Things (IoT) sensors which transmit data, in real-time, to experts at Schneider Electric’s Connected Services Hub for monitoring and analysis. This enables condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance which can cut the number of unplanned outages and ensure a more efficient approach to maintaining equipment.  It is particularly suited to those with heavy-duty electrical distribution needs such as Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), data centres and medium to large sites with significant energy requirements. These include industries such as oil and gas, mining and manufacturing, as well as large buildings including airports and hospitals.  GenieEvo key features include:  · A pure air design vacuum switchgear with a high fault current rating of 31.5kA for enhanced resilience, safety and reliability.   · Newly designed C-type bushings which are easy to install offering improved insulation, durability and thermal management.  · Innovative 2000A Busbar CTs ensuring high accuracy in metering and monitoring.  · A-FL switchgear front and side protection for users for Internal Arc Compliance (IAC).  · IoT sensors monitoring thermal, environmental and partial discharge data, 24/7, enabling condition-based and predictive maintenance.  · A compact design which can reduce space requirements by up to 40%. It comes with pre-engineered panels to meet individual requirements and can scale to meet future needs.  “To enable the energy transition, we need to integrate more energy sources to the distribution network, and this creates challenges, particularly for those with significant electricity demands,” says David Hall, Schneider Electric’s Vice President of Power Systems UK&I. “Organisations can’t afford power outages and must take control when it comes to resilience, safety and reliability. They should look at their switchgear as a priority. GenieEvo has been developed in response to market demands, allowing them to do just this.” Schneider Electric will manufacture the GenieEvo at its Leeds site. 

DeepCoolAI and Sanmina partner to scale AI infrastructure

DeepCoolAI, an expert in AI infrastructure (including liquid cooling and high density solutions), and Sanmina Corporation, a specialist in advanced manufacturing, have announced a strategic partnership that seeks to revolutionise AI-driven data centres. Together, the companies are striving to set new standards in efficiency, flexibility and sustainability, catering to the ever-growing demands of AI-driven, high-performance computing environments. “Our partnership with Sanmina amplifies DeepCoolAI’s mission to pioneer cooling innovations for AI-driven data centres,” says Kris Holla, Founder and CEO of DeepCoolAI. “By integrating our technology, innovation and AI customised solutions with Sanmina’s global footprint and manufacturing expertise, we empower customers to achieve greater efficiency, unparalleled performance and high availability at scale. Together, we are building a future filled with unparalleled possibilities." Hari Pillai, President, Technology Components Group at Sanmina, comments, “Leveraging Sanmina’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities around the world, as well as the depth and experience of our design and manufacturing teams that have successfully brought multiple Open Compute Project (OCP) rack and power solutions to market, this partnership ensures rapid deployment of reliable, high-quality AI solutions tailored to each customer's unique needs. “From liquid-to-liquid and liquid-to-air Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) to prefabricated modular high density solutions, DeepCoolAI and Sanmina are equipping data centres with the tools to exceed operational goals. The portfolio also emphasises seamless rack level integration with liquid cooling and high density power, enabling customers to deploy cooling systems with high availability and flexibility at scale.” “Our strategic alliance with DeepCoolAI brings an unprecedented combination of innovation and scalability to the data centre market. Together, we’re delivering future-proof AI infrastructure solutions that optimise efficiency and sustainability for the next generation of AI driven workloads. We are committed to the fast-growing data centre market with unprecedented scalability and manufacturing capacity to help our customers to turn on data centres faster.” Innovation to set a new benchmark AI-powered precision: Innovative liquid cooling and high density technology for sustainability and rapid scalability. High availability and sustainability at the core: Solutions are designed to meet high availability, stringent environmental standards, aligning with global carbon neutrality goals. Global reach, local support: Sanmina’s robust supply chain ensures consistent delivery of solutions worldwide, backed by regional expertise and customer support.

Smart Spatial announces partnership with Hyperview

Smart Spatial has announced a new strategic partnership with Hyperview, a prominent cloud-based DCIM platform. The companies state that the collaboration represents a major advancement in digital twin technology, combining Smart Spatial's innovative platform with Hyperview’s expertise in optimising data centre operations, reducing energy consumption, and preventing outages. Together, the companies aim to redefine how businesses manage and optimise their physical environments. Through this partnership, Smart Spatial and Hyperview will introduce cutting-edge visualisation capabilities to data centres, pushing the boundaries of transparency and risk mitigation. Hyperview’s advanced cloud platform captures and manages live telemetry from servers, networks, storage, and IT infrastructure to optimise asset tracking, capacity planning, energy usage, and carbon footprint reduction. By integrating Smart Spatial's 3D visualisation capabilities, Hyperview can transform this data into an intuitive, layered 3D interface, empowering data centre teams with actionable insights for precision and efficiency. Together, the companies are not just reducing costs and errors, but driving sustainability and seeking to set new standards for operational excellence. Dan Lesovodski, Chief Partner Officer of Smart Spatial, comments, "This partnership marks another significant step in delivering unparalleled value to data centre customers. We are thrilled to welcome Hyperview to our ecosystem and look forward to the exciting possibilities this collaboration will unlock." Jad Jebara, President and CEO of Hyperview, adds, “Our collaboration with Smart Spatial marks a pivotal moment in data centre innovation. By merging Hyperview’s advanced DCIM capabilities with Smart Spatial’s cutting-edge 3D visualisation technology, we are empowering data centre operators to achieve new heights in operational efficiency, sustainability, and risk mitigation. Together, we’re transforming how data centres are managed, setting a new standard for transparency and precision in the industry.” For more from Hyperview, click here.

Pure Storage and Kioxia form hyperscale DC partnership

Pure Storage, an IT expert that delivers advanced data storage technology and services, has announced a collaboration with Kioxia Corporation, a provider of memory products, to develop cutting-edge technology that addresses the growing demand for high-performance, scalable storage infrastructure among today’s hyperscale environments. Traditional storage solutions, particularly those relying on hard disk drives (HDDs), struggle to meet the demands of hyperscale environments due to their limited speed, scalability, reliability, and excessive power consumption. HDDs are ill-equipped to handle the massive, fast-growing volumes of data generated in these environments without introducing latency and bandwidth limitations, and are difficult to scale and integrate seamlessly into modern data centers. To eliminate these obstacles, the latest collaboration between Pure Storage and Kioxia will deliver a data storage platform engineered from the ground up to tackle the needs of hyperscale environments, allowing for rapid scale while lowering power consumption and reducing the overall physical footprint of hyperscale data centers. With the combination of Pure Storage’s advanced data storage platform with Kioxia’s QLC flash memory, hyperscalers can now keep pace with growing data demands without sacrificing performance. Benefits include: Increased Performance: Ultra-fast, low-latency performance for handling massive, data-intensive workloads, while enabling greater reliability to keep pace with rapidly growing customer demands. Improved Cost Efficiency: Optimised storage costs and lower overall total cost of ownership (TCO) by reducing the need for extensive physical resources, while offering better scalability. Lower Power and Waste: Reduced energy consumption significantly compared to traditional HDDs, lowering operational costs, leading to a smaller overall physical footprint, cutting hardware waste and supporting more sustainable data centre operations. Bill Cerreta, GM, Hyperscale, Pure Storage, comments, "Collaborating with Kioxia allows Pure Storage to bring the full potential of all-flash storage technology to hyperscale environments. Pure has a decade of experience in delivering systems that manage flash for enterprise businesses. Now we’re using those innovations, and Kioxia’s latest technology, to enable the hyperscalers. Together, we’re creating a solution that will empower these organisations to manage their data seamlessly, with speed and efficiency at the core." Caesar Ichimura, Chief Marketing Officer, Kioxia Corporation, adds, "Our collaboration with Pure Storage marks an exciting milestone in the evolution of hyperscale storage. As data volumes continue to explode, we’re committed to delivering a solution that combines high performance with lower operational costs. All-flash technology is the future of storage, and through this collaboration, we are driving the innovation needed to address the complexities of today’s hyperscale environments." For more from Pure Storage, click here.

Pure Storage modernises IT infrastructure for AC Milan

Pure Storage, an IT expert that delivers advanced data storage technologies and services, has announced the modernisation of the IT infrastructure of AC Milan, one of the world’s most historic football clubs. The club recognised the potential of technology to help it achieve two strategic goals – delivering the best fan experience possible through online content, and providing the team with data and AI to enhance club performance. At the centre of AC Milan’s fan engagement is its Media House, through which video and social content is produced and delivered. It also supplies critical data to the club’s training centre. The total number of employees and output has risen at the Media House over a three-year period and, as a result, unstructured data volumes had also dramatically increased. Siloed teams, together with a legacy data storage system that was incapable of operating efficiently, posed significant barriers to progress. By adopting the Pure Storage platform, AC Milan gained a powerful, efficient, and secure storage infrastructure that has underpinned its technology transformation initiative. Benefits include: • Fast and Reliable, Low Latency Data Storage: With the Pure Storage Platform, AC Milan can now manage large volumes of unstructured data across multiple sites with very low latency, resulting in major productivity improvements. The Media House team now benefits from 10 times faster content production and delivery. This has helped AC Milan reach over 500 million global fans through enhanced digital experiences.• Enhanced Data Security and Ransomware Protection: AC Milan recognises the importance of data resilience, deploying Pure Storage ActiveDR to achieve near zero Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) metrics. Additionally, Pure Storage SafeMode Snapshots take copies of data which, in the event of a cyber attack, can’t be deleted, modified, or encrypted, mitigating the impact of a ransomware attack.• A Platform for Cutting-Edge AI Innovation: Video footage of training sessions, stored on the Pure Storage Platform, can be analysed using AI, together with player data captured via sensors with the aim of improving performance. Additionally, AC Milan is developing a data lake composed of players’ medical and performance data with the same goal. Maurizio Bonomi, Information Technology Director, AC Milan, says, “Our team’s mission is to support the club and the business across all departments so that we’re achieving excellence on and off the pitch. Pure helped AC Milan modernise our Media House so that content can be delivered across multiple platforms in one-tenth of the time that it used to take. The project has been a great success and has marked a new step in our ongoing evolution into a media company.” Joao Silva, VP EMEA & Latin America, Pure Storage, adds, “We’re thrilled to support AC Milan in its mission to transform the way it connects with fans, and its highly innovative use of AI to improve all-round player performance. The club’s legacy storage couldn’t keep up with its modern, innovative data demands. AC Milan’s Pure Storage platform meets their complex needs. These are cutting-edge initiatives that showcase how the delivery of real time content and AI can benefit football clubs and the welfare of their players.” For more from Pure Storage, click here.

Panduit partners with Hyperview to offer modern DCIM tools

Panduit, a provider of innovative electrical and network infrastructure solutions, and Hyperview, the cloud-based data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) platform, have announced a new technology partnership which they say is a significant step forward in data centre management. As part of this collaboration, Panduit will discontinue its SmartZone Cloud DCIM software products and move to offering Hyperview’s cloud-based DCIM platform. This partnership reflects both companies' dedication to delivering innovative solutions that boost operational efficiency, enhance data centre performance, and promote sustainability. Hyperview's software platform will provide clients with unparalleled insights and features, enabling organisations to optimise their operations while ensuring scalability for future growth. "We're thrilled to partner with Panduit and to support their clients with our advanced DCIM solution," says Jad Jebara, President and CEO of Hyperview. "Together, we will drive innovation and set new industry standards in data centre management." Holly Garcia, Vice President, Data Centre at Panduit, adds, "This partnership with Hyperview marks an advanced period of control and visibility for our clients. The synergy of Hyperview's forward-thinking DCIM platform and our intelligent critical power solutions ensures that operators can manage their infrastructure more efficiently than ever." The transition to Hyperview's platform will be seamless for existing SmartZone Cloud clients, ensuring uninterrupted access to its service and support. For more from Panduit, click here.

Schneider obtains cybersecurity certification for DCIM solutions

Schneider Electric has announced that its EcoStruxure IT Network Management Card 3 (NMC3) platform has obtained a new and higher level of cybersecurity certification, making it the first Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) network card to achieve IEC 62443-4-2 Security Level 2 (SL2) designation from the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). TÜV Rheinland, one of the world’s largest and leading testing providers, has independently certified the NMC3 platform, ensuring vendor products designed for data centre and distributed IT environments meet a set of well-defined security requirements and undergo thorough testing and assessment. Schneider Electric says that this new and higher level of cybersecurity certification underscores the company's commitment to leading the industry in secure operations and better protects against cyberthreats. SL2 certification provides more stringent requirements and increased security resiliency than SL1, which was obtained last year. In addition to the new standard, TÜV Rheinland has certified Schneider Electric and the cybersecurity processes used to develop our products, including the NMC3, as ISASecure Secure Development Lifecycle Assurance (SDLA) compliant. The NMC3 is embedded in the majority of Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure IT DCIM products and provides a robust, remotely accessible management application over the network for critical power and cooling infrastructure. “According to the 2024 Allianz Risk Barometer, cyber incidents are ranked as the number one business concern,” says Kevin Brown, SVP for EcoStruxure IT, Data Centre Business, Schneider Electric. “At an average reported cost of more than $4 million an incident, we understand why cybersecurity tops the priority list for CIOs. With the IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 and ISASecure SDLA cybersecurity certifications, Schneider Electric is leading the industry with this dual certification helping to reduce risks to critical infrastructure.” Companies are challenged to keep up with firmware updates. Many enterprise customers manage their critical power and cooling infrastructure with their own in-house management tools, third-party network management tools, or building management systems. These systems don’t know when the firmware at your connected endpoints – particularly in distributed and edge environments – requires an update. The EcoStruxure IT Secure NMC System offers improved embedded firmware management thanks to a new dedicated tool. The Secure NMC System Tool transforms the cumbersome process of researching and installing the latest firmware on all devices, making the process up to 90% faster. Users no longer need to search for firmware on an ad hoc basis, check to see if that firmware is the latest one for the device, and read the release notes to understand what’s included in the new version before they download it and update their device. Instead, the Secure NMC System Tool notifies customers that new firmware is available and directs them to install the new version. The benefits of the Secure NMC System include: Eliminate fear of becoming outdated: Simplifies firmware management, making it up to 90% faster and reducing risk. Achieve consistent compliance: Customers have a systematic, standardised approach to cybersecurity updates for their critical power and cooling infrastructure. Reduce exposure to potential attack: IEC 62443-4-2 SL2 and ISASecure SDLA cybersecurity certifications combined with the Secure NMC System Tool ensures connected devices are protected with the latest security updates. Kevin continues, “EcoStruxure IT is providing customers with a powerful approach – the flexibility to manage their IT infrastructure as they choose and to do it simply while also managing their cybersecurity compliance because being secure doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. We are the first in the industry providing this solution as we continue our commitment to enable resilient, secure, and sustainable IT infrastructure.” A Secure NMC subscription is required to access the IEC certified firmware via the Secure NMC System Tool. For more from Schneider Electric, click here.

EcoDataCenter issues bonds to accelerate AI growth

EcoDataCenter has successfully issued its inaugural SEK 1 billion senior unsecured bonds, to enable further investments in critical AI infrastructure. The company says that as a result, it thereby strengthens its position as a leading player in sustainable, energy-efficient data centres for AI in Europe. The bond issue generated strong demand from institutional investors, underscoring the market's confidence in EcoDataCenter’s business plan. Peter Michelson, CEO of EcoDataCenter, says, "AI is a dynamic investment area with enormous potential to drive growth and productivity. Scaling AI requires capital. This is an important milestone for us, on our journey to become the leading European player in AI infrastructure." Europe demands ambitious investments in AI infrastructure to maintain global competitiveness and drive innovation. EcoDataCenter says that it has quickly established itself as a leader in this space, with several recent announcements supporting its expansion. In early September, it was announced that EcoDataCenter would partner with AI-company CoreWeave to build one of Europe's largest AI clusters in Falun. Two weeks later, EcoDataCenter purchased a 20-hectare industrial site in Borlänge with an initial capacity of 240 MW, to establish one of Europe's largest data centres. Peter Michelson, CEO of EcoDataCenter (pictured above), comments, “The demand for data centres that can combine the latest technology with high energy efficiency and with a low climate footprint is strong and constantly increasing. We are very well positioned to capitalise on the growth opportunities in the sector." EcoDataCenter opened its first data centre in Falun, Sweden in 2019 and also operates facilities in Stockholm and Piteå. Thanks to a combination of technological leadership and unique sustainability solutions, EcoDataCenter has gained the trust of major customers such as BMW, DeepL, and CoreWeave. The senior unsecured bonds are issued by EcoDataCenter’s holding company - EcoDC Holding – under a framework of SEK 2 billion, with a tenor of three years and a floating interest rate of STIBOR three months plus 4.75% per annum. EcoDataCenter intends to apply for listing of the bonds. ABG Sundal Collier AB acted as sole arranger in connection to the issuance of the bonds. Roschier Advokatbyrå AB acted as legal counsel. For more from EcoDataCenter, click here.