Features

Panduit launches RapidID Network Mapping System

Panduit has launched its new RapidID Network Mapping System, an offering designed to reduce the time and cost of patch cord documentation by up to 50%. By using pre-labelled Panduit patch cords and the RapidID Bluetooth-enabled handheld scanner, network engineers can quickly, easily, and more accurately place and trace cables. The Network Mapping System automates the labour-intensive and error-prone cable documentation process to reduce the risk of a network outage. With RapidID, the painstaking labelling process is already done. Additionally, RapidID is a practical alternative to traditional manual approaches and is ideally suited for building a new telecom room, locating installed cabling, or replacing a network switch. "RapidID is a game-changer for any network engineer," states Rich Benson, Panduit Group Manager, Cable Management Solutions. "We are happy to offer our customers an innovative way to eliminate the pain points around patch cord labelling and documentation for network systems." RapidID is as easy as 1, 2, 3. The system uses patch cords pre-labeled with a unique barcode and a Bluetooth-enabled handheld scanner to automate labelling, tracing, and troubleshooting in three easy steps. 1. Install Panduit cables that feature unique barcode labels.2. Download the mobile app from iOS or Android app stores to a tablet device.3. Scan barcodes using the Bluetooth-enabled handheld scanner. RapidID Project Manager and Senior Solutions Architect Kevin Marley explained that network documentation can drastically reduce downtime during an outage, but documenting physical infrastructure is extremely time-consuming and is often overlooked or out-of-date. "RapidID enables a fast, easy way to document patch cables and eliminate the manual data entry of network documentation," he comments.

Easier cable management: making smart choices at the outset

By Hermann Christen, Market Development Manager R&M Changing technologies, platforms and user habits have resulted into different cable installation and maintenance practices everywhere: from the outside plant, to building access, to in-building systems. R&M would like to share a few key insights into cabling developments and briefly discuss how certain product and technology choices affect cable rollout, handling, and management. First, the company will examine cabling that runs up to a building, and then take a closer look at cabling inside the building... Cabling outside the building Last mile solutions: making the right choices In the ‘last mile’, branching off drop lines from a main fibre line is more challenging than it might appear. The choice of cable installation method depends on many factors. The application determines how the final section of the last mile cable will be fed into the node. For building access, a choice needs to be made between burying cables directly, blowing them into ducts, or using aerial cables. Cable sheathing' will generally be made of Polyethylene (PE), but the cable construction (beneath the jacket) determines the suitability of a cable for a particular type of rollout. Let’s examine the different types of rollout: Pulling through ducts Key mechanical properties for cables to be pulled are tensile strength and dead weight. PE-sheathed cables have excellent surface properties and sliding properties (low frictional resistance) for this type of application. Buried cables Placing cable in pre-laid ducts is the most economical installation method. The cables can be blown into the duct tubes: features that determine whether cables are suitable for blowing in are low weight, smooth and low friction cable surface. For this type of cable, tensile strength or crush resistance are not of importance. Cables for blowing should be lightweight, slim, relatively stiff, and have an outer sheath with excellent sliding properties. Cables can also be ‘direct buried’ in the earth, without ducts. Such cables need to offer a high level of crush resistance and longitudinal water tightness. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) sheathing is advisable - PE is sufficiently resistant to all chemical influences that direct-buried cables might conceivably be exposed to. Aerial cables. These are continuously exposed to environmental conditions so requirements are far higher than for buried cables. R&M recommends air cables encased in UV-stable HDPE outer sheathing designed for a temperature range of -25 °C to +70 °C). In aerial drop applications, being all-dielectric and self-supporting are essential. Rodents! One of the greatest threats to cabling (installation cables) is rodents. We can distinguish between two levels of cable protection: ‘rodent secure’ and ‘rodent-protected’. Rodent protected cables prevent damage to the cable core in cases of moderate rodent infestation. The company recommends armoured cables with glass roving (e-glass yarn) which protects the cable core. ‘Rodent-protected’ cables provide protection through mechanical resistance for a prolonged period, which is generally adequate, but not unlimited. Fibre cables can be protected more extensively by adding a layer that ensures rodents aren’t likely to chew their way into the cable core. Steel tape armoured cables are rodent-secure and recommended for outdoor use in ducts and shafts where rodent infestation cannot be prevented. Steel-tape armoured cables are recommended. Harsh conditions Extreme temperatures or chemicals can cause cables to become brittle or less flexible after prolonged exposure or immediately. The cabling sheath may crack, causing rapid deterioration. Fortunately, special sheathing materials can increase resistance to chemical degradation. It is important to know which environmental factors are relevant in different locations and to understand the exact intended usage of cabling and components. In this way, you won’t need to run cable with the most heavy-duty shielding throughout the entire environment. Instead, you can define solutions that offer the best performance where it counts, without compromising in other areas. Important factors to consider include: Chemical load (intensity and duration of chemical influence)Concentration, exposure and temperatureChemical resistance of the material affected Planning for high density The use of data-hungry technology solutions will keep expanding, but the backbone can’t be replaced every few years. High density cabling and network infrastructure are essential to meeting current bandwidth demand challenges. Planning needs to take into account imminent demand increases and the need for more ports and fibre cables at access points as well as in and between data centres. You need cables with a very high fibre count that retain the handling attributes of small cables, with minimal termination-related hassle. Cabling inside the building Automated asset management Automated asset management and tracking makes life much easier. Dynamic environments require ongoing, precise and efficient asset management. Changes to a physical network, including switches, servers and patch panels, can be monitored and traced real-time. A system that offers functions for mapping, managing, analysing and planning cabling and network cabinets can also include asset management, planned and unplanned changes and alarms. Such systems improve operational efficiency and facilitate management of passive infrastructure. An integrated hardware and software system automatically detects when cords are inserted or removed and documents the cabling infrastructure, including connected equipment. Everything can be monitored and administrated from a common software tool. The entire infrastructure is represented in a consistent, up to date database, offering precise, real-time information on the current state and future requirements of the data centre. Without this, developing expansion plans and carrying out risk analyses are impossible, let alone complying with legislation and introducing best practices.   Power over Ethernet PoE has several consequences for cabling choices and handling. Depending on cable diameter, the current 4PPoE standard can produce significant levels of heat. The higher the transmitted power, the more heat is generated. To handle increased temperatures, cable installation conditions (cable type, bundle size, cable duct properties) must be considered and the link length may have to be reduced. Structured cabling standards require the indoor cable to be rated according the Remote Power categories RP 1-RP 3, specifying different levels of PoE support. During connector mating cycles, connecting hardware is exposed to power discontinuation effects. Unmating connections under load will create sparks that can damage connector contacts. The higher the transmitted power, the greater the risk of damage. It’s important to note that robust mechanical mating of wire contacts in connection modules or plugs is crucial. Loose contacts could lead to power interruption and even to burning of plastic parts. The most reliable connection for RJ45 connections is an IDC contact. The ‘Digital Ceiling’ An ‘All over IP’ approach can extend data networks through an entire building’s ceiling in a ‘honeycomb’ fashion, making it possible to connect devices to building automation via zones with pre-installed overhead connecting points (service outlets). Real estate managers or tenants can benefit from ‘Plug and Play’ digitisation without barriers, fast and at low cost. All they need to do is plug in network switches, sensors, controls, WLAN access points and other distributed building services.  Single pair ethernet ‘SPE’ will become a key technology in smart buildings. It is the missing link for connecting devices up to sensor/actuator level by means of a standard Internet protocol (IP). It has the potential to replace existing field bus systems and helps with integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) into the LAN and thus accelerates IP expansion right down to the sensor-actuator level. SPE can replace a large part of existing field bus applications. Introduction of smart, converged networks means energy-conserving technologies and applications can be introduced, such as intelligent management of building space, resources and LED lighting. Don’t forget cable management basics! In spite of numerous changes, the basics of cable management remain unchanged. Bad basic cable management can result in signal interference, damage and failure, resulting in data transmission errors, performance issues and downtime. Always double-check measurements, make sure terminations are of the right quality, test where necessary, always label and colour-code cables, watch out for cramped conduits and make sure no cables or bundles rest upon others.

Structured cabling to be a $23.2 billion market by 2030

The 'Structured Cabling Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis' report has been added to Research And Markets' offering. The global structured cabling market size is expected to reach USD 23.2 billion by 2030 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 10.5% from 2022 to 2030. The need for advanced technologies has increased the generation of vast amounts of IoT data, which often causes delays and latency. Structured cabling systems help enhance data transfer speed, which further aids in avoiding delays. The presence of a high connectivity network in regions such as North America has facilitated the widespread adoption of structured cabling systems. Thus, the North American market is expected to witness substantial growth over the forecast period. Additionally, an expanding communication network architecture and a rise in demand for data centres have increased the demand for structured cabling systems. Asia Pacific is projected to register the fastest growth rate over the forecast period. The regional market is predicted to grow as a result of key factors such as government measures to promote digitalisation, upgraded facilities, population increase, faster adoption of smart devices, and investments in cloud and IoT technologies. Structured cabling systems are used across various verticals such as government, industrial, IT and telecommunications, residential, and commercial. The IT and telecommunication segment is expected to exhibit the highest CAGR over the forecast period owing to data centre convergence in technologies supporting data and voice services. An increase in the usage of mobile Internet with high-speed connectivity is expected to bolster the market growth. Building smart cities and residences will also play a significant role in expanding the worldwide market potential. To expand their product portfolio and maintain a strong position in the market, players have used tactics such as expansions, agreements, partnerships, and joint ventures and are engaging in the creation of new products with high speed and better features. Companies have also received official authorisation for the launch of devices that provide high speed and security. Structured Cabling Market Report Highlights By product type, the fibre optic cables segment is estimated to grow over the forecast period, owing to the increasing importance of cloud computing and high bandwidth applications. On the basis of application, the data centre segment is expected to register a significant CAGR of 11.0% over the forecast period owing to the increasing demand for smart devices and the rising usage of mobile data. Based on vertical, the IT and telecommunication segment dominated the market in 2021 and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. Due to the increasing development and usage of automation techniques across industries, the industrial vertical segment is likely to grow rapidly in the forecast period. The North American region led the market in 2021 and the trend is expected to continue over the coming years owing to a rise in demand for data centres and the growth of communication network infrastructure.

Schaffner introduces FN2500 / FN2640 EMC filter series for data centres

Schaffner has announced the availability of the new FN2500 / FN2640 - EMC filter series for robotics and data centres. The new filters have been developed to meet the specific needs of these two important and growing markets. These markets have technical requirements in common that can now be met by these new EMC filters. Many applications, including robotics, data centres and autonomous machines require power supplies to be mounted in 19in rack cabinets. To accommodate this and provide systems builders with seamless integration, Schaffner has packaged the FN2500 / FN2640 EMC filter series in a space saving 1U rack-mount design. The new FN2500 / FN2640 EMC filters are available with a range of connection options. These include IEC C14 (10-15A) or IEC C20 (16-20A) input connectors for direct mains connection and with a range of output connectors. For internal assembly connection options available on input and output include push-on terminals, cable glands, screw terminals or spring terminals. Key standard features include input voltage 250 VAC at DC to 60 Hz (FN2500 277 VAC / 400 VDC), output current 10 to 20 A at 40°C, MTBF > 300,000 h and operating temperature range -40°C to +100°C (with derating >40°C). The new FN2500 / FN2640 EMC filters meet the requirements of IEC 62368-1 - Audio/Video, Information and Communication Technology and equipment and IEC/EN 60335-1 - Household and similar appliances, Climatic Category 40/10 0/21 to IEC60068-1, Certified to UL 60939-3, IEC/EN 60939-3, GB/T 15287 and Protection category IP00 / IP20 for -103 terminals.

Over 100,000 homes in Coventry now have access to CityFibre’s network

CityFibre has reached a major milestone having passed over 100,000 homes in Coventry, the first time CityFibre has reached this landmark in a single location. Thousands of residents in Coventry can now enjoy affordable, gigabit-capable reliable full fibre broadband from a range of internet service providers (ISPs) including launch partner Vodafone, TalkTalk, Zen, Fibrehop and IDNet, with Giganet expected to join the network soon. Construction began on the £72.5m project in November 2018 and CityFibre has since laid almost 1,500km of dense full fibre infrastructure across the majority of the city. In Ofcom’s latest Connected Nations report, Coventry was ranked second in the UK for its digital connectivity. The full fibre network currently services every building run by Coventry City Council, as well as its traffic management systems, CCTV systems and public WiFi across the town centre. The network has been integral to the delivery of numerous digital events as part of Coventry’s year-long City of Culture and Commonwealth Games events. It also provided ultrafast access to festivalgoers and production teams at Radio 1’s Big Weekend. A report by the consultancy Hatch, commissioned by CityFibre, found Coventry stands to experience significant economic, social and environmental benefits from its new digital infrastructure platform including over £895m in productivity and innovation gains and £197m from a widened workforce over a 15-year period. Enabling 5G rollout alone could drive up to £2bn in positive economic impact. Leigh Hunt, Area Manager for Coventry at CityFibre, says: “Our rollout has helped transform Coventry’s digital capabilities for both residents and businesses, making it one of the best-connected cities in Britain. Passing 100,000 homes is an incredible feat and a real testament to CityFibre’s mission to create a legacy of reliable connectivity. “Digital infrastructure has become the cornerstone of modern day-life, and CityFibre’s investment will accelerate economic opportunity to propel Coventry into a new digital-era fit for generations to come.” Councillor Richard Brown, Coventry City Council Cabinet Member for Finance, comments: “Access to a better and faster digital infrastructure is making a massive difference to local people and businesses. “Not only is CityFibre installing a fantastic, future-proofed fibre network, it is also making it more competitive for internet suppliers – meaning people and businesses can benefit from some great deals for their internet connections. “I am really proud of the partnership we have with CityFibre and the benefits that this brings for the city.” Paul Ward, Head of ICT & Digital at Coventry City Council, adds: “It’s brilliant that CityFibre has reached this milestone. This has directly contributed to Coventry being one of the best digitally connected cities in the country as measured by the Ofcom Connected Nations report. CityFibre is a key partner with the city council in pushing forward our ambitious digital strategy plans and helping establish Coventry as a leading digital city directly supporting the One Coventry Council Plan.”

The colocation industry is entering a new era

Digitisation and hybrid working have redefined the colocation landscape, bringing with it a new class of facility and provider, says David Keegan, Group CEO at DataQube global. Data centre and colocation providers have always needed to think about contingency plans, but a global health crisis that resulted in millions of workers being sent home for months on end took contingency planning to a whole new level. Commercial companies, educational establishments, healthcare organisations, finance etc. all had to digitally transform in just a few weeks simply to maintain 'business as usual'. Unimaginable amounts of data were generated as a result, putting heightened pressure on comms infrastructures. Whereas regular power outages and structural challenges are, by and large, avoidable with the right planning, COVID-19 was a black swan event that caught everyone off guard and its repercussions are still being felt today. Many industries have undergone irreversible transformations and colocation landscape have been permanently altered as a result. As the world went virtual, efficient data handling became integral to every aspect of our lives. From sending and receiving emails or updating our stories to TV streaming, video conferencing, ecommerce, smart ticketing, and engaging with VAs, all these interactions generate data in huge volumes that needs to be seamlessly dealt with. Data centres have undergone explosive growth to keep pace with demand, and this, in turn, has redefined the colocation market, with a different type of facility needed.  75% of enterprise-generated data will be handled outside centralised facilities by 2025 The drive for data centre to re-evaluate their data handling capabilities and relocate their digital infrastructures pre-dates the pandemic thanks to technological advances and faster comms networks. Indeed, according to Gartner, 75% of enterprise-generated data will be handled outside centralised facilities by 2025 and the global edge data centre market is expected to triple to $13.5 billion by 2024. Data centre and colocation business models, therefore, need a total rethink in terms of their connectivity capabilities and physical locations, and this is giving rise to smaller data centres in high footfall locations. But data centres and colocation facilities don’t just 'appear'. They need careful planning in line with future capacity requirement, real estate needs to be sourced, planning permission/building regulations need to be sorted out, and upfront capex, which is anything in excess of £7 million, needs to be secured. The average data centre project takes anything between 18 months to two years to complete and, in a world driven by tech, such long implementation times are unviable. In the meantime, our data consumption is growing unprecedently and robust data facilities capable of assuring high performance low latency processing at the edge are in short supply. Enter the new provider Much of today’s data needs to be handled as close to the source as possible, i.e., in city centres, in factories, in mixed used properties and so forth, for operability and safety reasons. By the same token, swathes of office space, warehouses and mixed-use premises are being left empty, generating zero revenue thanks to changing working trends, and business owners relocating to smaller premises with cheaper rentals. Such an abundance of vacant/disused properties is presenting commercial real estate companies with exciting opportunities to generate alternative revenue streams by repurposing their distressed assets into lucrative data centres and colocation facilities. The downside is that said properties typically need a total refit if they are to accommodate the specialist HPC infrastructure needed for data processing. Moreover, any property redevelopment must comply with stringent building regulations pertaining to sustainability and, as such, the lead times are just as long, if not longer, than commissioning a data centre from scratch. What is needed is a viable means for real estate companies and facilities to transform their disused assets into powerful data centre and colocation facilities to meet the edge data centre shortfall, but this has not been possible, due to financial constraints and excessive redevelopment timescales.  However, this is about to change, thanks to a disruptive approach to edge data centres and colocation being spearheaded by DataQube global. Acutely aware of the edge data centre shortfall and the sustainability challenges the industry faces, the company together with a consortium of technology partners and critical infrastructure specialists have developed a novel data centre solution that overcomes these property refurbishment barriers. Unlike other data centres, the solution is podular in design, built from lightweight material and supplied flatpack which removes the need for planning permission or property refurbishments to accommodate specialist HPC infrastructure. This, in turn, shortens install times by up to 50% as no concrete foundations nor heavy duty cranes are needed. This is a significant timeline acceleration in an industry that averages two years to fully build and fit out. Additionally, with reduced construction overheads, final costs are at a much lower price point, typically less than a £1 million compared to traditional builds. Most importantly, all the IT is housed within compact, secure and sterile units which reduce power consumption and CO2 emissions by more than 50% because the energy transfer is dedicated solely to powering computers. This equates to a PUE of less than 1.05, the lowest in the industry and perfectly aligned with current LEED standards to support sustainable building practices and net zero targets.  With heightened demand for localised data processing, combined with an ongoing backlog of regular construction projects, innovative approaches are needed not only to meet the edge computing shortfall but to provide commercial real estate with an easy means to diversify and developing new revenue streams and business models. DataQube’s unique solution is perfectly aligned to bridge this gap.

Mapping the future: how robotics can drive excellence in the colocation data centre

By Paul Lewis, Senior Operation Director, Telehouse Europe As the modern colocation data centre continues to increase in scale and complexity, so does the need for all operations to run smoothly and efficiently. Surging customer demand means that an ever-growing array of components (encompassing IT, facilities, and security) need real-time monitoring to ensure faults are promptly dealt with before bigger issues arise. All of this requires an unprecedented level of visibility and operational efficiency, which becomes increasingly challenging across a labyrinthine data centre with dispersed staff.  At a time when security, compliance, and efficiency are more sought after than ever, manual operations must be enhanced with more intelligent decision making. A multidisciplinary all-in-one solution is needed to enhance operations and streamline essential processes across the data centre. Enter the robot. The latest innovations in robotics are transforming colocation data centre processes, automating manual activities to drive greater efficiencies, faster responses, and resolution times, and lowering the risks of human error. Furthermore, by taking low level and repetitious tasks out of human hands, robots complement teams by freeing them to complete more skilled and strategic activities, thereby allowing new heights of efficiency and productivity to be reached. A single source of truth The smooth running of the colocation data centre relies on data management systems working harmoniously together to gain a comprehensive overview of the entire ecosystem. But the sheer complexity of today’s data centre means that security, IT, and facilities need to communicate even faster and more seamlessly with each other to ensure staff have the centralised visibility to quickly respond to potential operating problems. Without this single source of truth, proactive and timely problem solving becomes difficult. Faults such as obstructions or lack of equipment are likely to only be flagged after an employee or customer completes a manual incident report, leading to precious time being lost to repetitive and mundane upkeep tasks.  While current control systems and data centre personnel carry out regular checks on facilities to ensure there are no potential hazards, technology can support and streamline these efforts, blending human expertise with automated precision and speed to achieve maximum efficiency. With robotics, a single machine can obtain 4k, in-depth, and 360-degree visibility across all areas of the data centre, diligently resolving issues and communicating any irregularities back to the relevant teams for immediate escalation. This not only bolsters security and compliance (critical concerns for all involved in colocation data centre operations) but also essentially acts as a ‘one for all’ for increasing functionality across the ecosystem. For example, a member of staff may notice an obstruction in the corridor and notify the appropriate people, but would they necessarily notice an unrelated hazard nearby? A single robot can carry out the most exhaustive manual checks in a fraction of the time, whilst simultaneously communicating data insights around security, facility, and environmental health across multiple departments.  Unparalleled visibility Robotics use innovative self-driving technology to autonomously map and navigate the data centre, establishing norms and swiftly escalating anomalies for human analysis. With no distractions or biases, the technology offers decision-makers a level of visibility, speed, and multi-layered intelligence that no single human or static camera could ever replicate. For example, live heat mapping and AI-driven sensors accurately detect anything from temperature and Wi-Fi signal strength to air quality index, smoke, and gas levels inside the building. The live data and real-time reports provided then enable the data centre to proactively address any issues that may be impacting operational efficiency or customer satisfaction. In a busy colocation data centre, controlling humidity is crucial to protect sensitive equipment from moisture damage, which ultimately causes system failure and data loss. Robotics can assist with the advanced reporting of humidity and temperature levels, providing decision-makers with an extra layer of visibility while also helping to balance workloads, costs, and energy efficiency throughout the data centre.  Complementing human strengths Despite media-fuelled fears of jobs being stolen by robotics, the only jobs robots are likely to take from colocation data centres are the ones people should not have had to do in the first place. Data centres will always continue to rely on the skills of human workers, while robots will continue to excel at the most tedious, time-consuming, and repetitive aspects of colocation data centre work. When menial tasks are replaced by automated processes, staff are unburdened from robotic work and released to focus on other areas of the business. In turn, by improving the workflow of tasks within the data centre, robotics act as a key enabler of operational excellence, yielding greater insights and innovation as data centre demand continues to rise. Automated technologies have a proven record of driving continuous improvements and efficiency gains within the industry. But more recent innovations in robotics are unlocking a new frontier in data centre security, productivity, and 360-degree intelligence.

Colocation fundamentals

By Amy Young, Sales Director, Custodian Data Centres The colocation space is an ever-evolving area with new technologies continuing to emerge, however, some of these technologies are more realistic and sustainable than others. It is important when researching these data centre innovations, be it liquid cooling or high-density racks, to consider how relevant they are for your specific business requirements. Understanding what setup and structure is needed to optimise your business for current operations and for looking forward is not a simple task and it is often difficult to know where to begin. Working with partners who can support your business and truly understand what your business needs will help to mitigate some of these challenges when starting on this digital transformation journey. Sticking to the core priorities of resilience, redundancy, location and power when looking for a colocation provider should always remain at the forefront when embarking on the decision-making journey. These core fundamentals should not be overlooked ahead of ‘new’ or cutting-edge features. Ultimately, any of these new technologies emerging through the market are only as good as the core features of the data centre they are operating in. A facility that does not have truly diverse power or connected network routes may have the latest liquid or immersion-cooled racks for example, but will still fail under a power cut, highlighting the importance of choosing the correct data centre facility. Colocation customisation Certainly, as colocation requirements evolve, customers are increasingly looking for the ability to customise to make their chosen data centre space bespoke. For your business to thrive, mission-critical systems need to be designed to work in parallel with each of your customers’ IT roadmaps. From custom features, branding or additional layers of security, the ability to take the space and tweak it to the customer’s specific needs is vast becoming the expected norm across the industry. With the option of ‘built to suit’ on the rise in the sector, enabling a host of unique and custom features that ensure the customer can build the space as they need, is crucial to keep up with customer requirements and the extremely competitive market. Colocation certainly isn’t one-size-fits-all and colocation providers have to be able to cater to the needs of their customers without compromising on the core foundations of the data centre. Colocation providers also have the opportunity to reach different markets, such as the gaming and entertainment industry, when offering bespoke and customisable options, in comparison to only offering set solutions. For example, in the gaming industry, offering bespoke solutions such as gaming towers, in whichever form they take, and having the right dynamic service partner, can mean gaming innovators can ensure their facilities are completely built to suit, taking into account gameplay traffic, high spec game upgrades, local connectivity requirements and more. When choosing your colocation provider, you must choose a facility that is consultative, provides technical support and dedicated resources on-demand, to ensure all requirements for you and your customers are achieved. Power up! Power consumption is ever-increasing, and resilience remains key to handling this growing consumption, so digital transformation technologies within data centres need to develop to keep up with demand. Having the foresight to forward plan and ensure that your critical power infrastructure, like UPS, ATS and Switchgear are future-proofed and scalable, is vital for end-users. As an operator, uninterruptible power is essential, but that power should also be sustainable. Here truly diverse renewable energy feeds can play a critical part in delivering sustainable service to customers. To protect your customers and your business, redundancy must be included within the core priorities of your colocation selection process. Planning for the future and planning for the worst-case scenario is how you secure your data within a data centre environment. By partnering with a colocation provider which is resilient and secure, you ensure your systems, processes and infrastructure are set up to still ‘function’ even if the worst was to happen, protecting you and, importantly, your customers. Operationally you need to ensure you have processes in place to deal with any situation that may arise, so you can respond in a controlled way. Again, when choosing your colocation supplier, this remains a key focus as you can supply your customers with a reliable backup solution. It is important to flag any issues you currently have and also have an open conversation with your potential supplier regarding expectations - this way the colocation provider can ensure all of your power needs are met without any fault. The core foundation of your IT infrastructure cannot be under-estimated. When partnering with a data centre, it is pivotal that the technology underpinning the data centre is as future-proofed as the hardware that is being deployed within it. To future-proof in the current climate, it’s not just about working to industry best practices but exceeding these perimeters and this applies to your strategic partners too.

Securing supply in the face of growing grid strain

As data demand continues to surge post-pandemic, colocation data centre operators have been tasked with satiating Europe’s digital appetite. However, with grid strain also peaking, some countries are beginning to impose restrictions on data centre connections going forwards. Billy Durie, Global Sector Head for Data Centres at Aggreko, discusses the importance of securing power supply in the face of this industry challenge. Post-pandemic, the role of data is more critical than ever to our everyday lives. The persistence of remote working is one of the lasting reminders of the lockdown landscape, while demand for streaming services and online gaming continues to surge. Naturally, this has contributed to increased pressure upon Europe’s data centres, with a CBRE report published in late 2021 indicating that colocation supply in the FLAP (Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris) market was 17% higher than that of the previous year. The true cost of downtime This growth in demand has added fuel to the fire of an already-burgeoning industry challenge, with electrical demand now exceeding supply in a number of key markets. The resulting effect is grid strain, which has called into question the reliability of many facilities’ mains connection. For many colocation data centre operators, this poses the risk of blackout should the demands of peak time become particularly strenuous. The Uptime Institute’s 11th annual Global Data Centre Survey highlights on-site power as the primary source of downtime in the past year, and asserts that the majority of outages remain preventable. Despite this fact, the report also indicates that 65% of outages costed $100,000 or more in 2021, while 15% costed more than $1,000,000. As such, the physical consequence of grid strain for data centre operators is apparent. Warding against grid strain Moreover, with grid strain becoming so severe in a number of key European markets, some countries are beginning to impose restrictions on data centre connections going forwards in an attempt to alleviate stress on their respective national grids. In Ireland, for example, national supplier EirGrid has forecasted that data centres could account for as much as 25% of the nation’s electrical demand by 2030. Resultantly, section 4.2.4 of the organisation’s 2019 Connection Offer Policy and Process declares that ‘Firm Capacity’ will only be provided if the facility can demonstrate the ability to make on-site power generation available should it be necessary. Otherwise, the site will only be entitled to ‘Flexible Demand’, which will fluctuate with strain on the grid. On a local scale, EirGrid stated late last year that it would not be accepting any new data centre applications until 2028, with applications outside of the capital reviewed on a strictly case-by-case basis. Here, Ireland may serve as a warning as to the changes that may follow in the FLAP market, with these cities experiencing similar levels of strain. The changing face of legislation While energy shortages are by no means a new phenomenon in this sector, the possibility of a blanket ban on data centre connections presents an entirely new challenge. Exacerbating this further is the introduction of new environmental legislation, which has had a knock-on effect for data centre operators looking to top up their energy supply. Until recently, one of the most common methods of power remediation was through the use of diesel gensets, which acted as a back-up energy supply should a facility’s mains supply dwindle or threaten to cut out. However, the introduction of the European Commission’s Medium Combustion Plant Directive (MCPD) has significantly limited their use. The MCPD aims to limit the emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter – all of which are by-products of diesel combustion. This is a move that has been echoed in the UK with the introduction of low and ultra-low emission zones in a number of major cities. This is a particular concern for colocation facilities, which are often based in urban areas and are already facing the brunt of grid strain. An heir to diesel It would appear as though the combination of these factors has created somewhat of a perfect storm for colocation data centre operators, who have now been stripped of a primary method of remedial power generation when it is needed most. For this reason, it is necessary that the scope is expanded in the search for a solution. Here, there are a number of alternative technologies that may help to bridge the energy gap. First and foremost, operators that would like to continue using gensets should consider introducing hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as a drop-in fuel, allowing for an immediate reduction in local emissions. For a site with temporary load requirements of 1MW for a generator and 1MW for the UPS system, this simple switch can deliver a 90% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, while also cutting NOx and PM by up to 25%. For those looking for a more permanent heir to traditional diesel systems, Stage V generators, such as those used by Aggreko, may prove a sensible option. These high-performance gensets are equipped with diesel particulate filters, catalytic reduction systems and diesel oxidation systems to reduce the emissions of carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Crucially, these features make these gensets fully compliant with the MCPD and fit-for-use in low and ultra-low emissions zones. In order to help curb inefficient generator usage, Stage V systems can be incorporated as part of a load on demand package, wherein a larger generator is replaced by multiple smaller ones that scale up or down in accordance with demand. Research from Aggreko has found that hired solutions are often ran on as low as 30% capacity – a far cry from the recommended level of 80%, so this consideration is key. This approach is particularly crucial to the data centre construction phase, with load demand experiencing high levels of fluctuation. Returning to the aforementioned example of UPS power requirements of a 1MW generator and 1MW UPS system, switching to two 600KVa Stage V generators instead results in a 25% reduction in CO2 and overall fuel consumption, as well as an 85% reduction in local emissions. Battery storage systems Besides HVO and Stage V, the final technology that holds great potential for power remediation in the data centre sphere is battery storage systems. Here, the concept of ‘energy shifting’ allows energy to be stored from solar or thermal sources, to be redeployed when grid supply dwindles. This is done by way of a spinning reserve system, with battery storage automatically topping up supply in a matter of seconds to help avoid a costly blackout. This approach also provides scope for the creation of a genset-battery hybrid system, equipping the operator with maximum flexibility to ward against power shortages. Final thoughts While the tightening of both power procurement and environmental legislation initially appears to be a challenge, it is clear that there are effective methods of overcoming grid strain without violating sustainability commitments. To ensure that these tools are accessible, Aggreko has recently launched its Greener Upgrades initiative to support the data centre industry in its move towards net zero. Here, by offering solutions that are both environmentally friendly and pragmatic, the company aims to help contractors make impactful choices to reduce emissions while keeping operating costs to a minimum. Incorporating decentralised energy solutions on-site is not only critical to alleviating current grid strain, but to future-proof against any legislative shifts that may limit new connections, such as EirGrid’s Connection Offer Policy and Process. Here, it will be necessary for data centre operators to broaden their horizons in the search for a comprehensive solution, as only through an all-encompassing approach can the effects of grid strain be alleviated.

Boost your data centre build time

The global colocation data centre market is expected to double to more than $62 billion from 2017 to 2022. Pam Cannon, ABB’s Head of Marketing for Global Data Centre Solutions, discusses the latest solutions and strategies to boost the build time of new colocation centres. To remain competitive in this fast paced and highly competitive market, data centre operators need to ensure they have enough quality colocation space to service new customers. However, opening new centres that will remain partially filled for a time is ineffective in terms of resources. Here’s a look at the company's four most effective strategies to speed up data centre builds by up to 50%: Pay-as-you-grow strategy Pay-as-you-grow ensures you grow both sustainably and profitably by installing capacity little and often. Rather than making sizeable upfront capital investments that build too much capacity for initial demand, data centre operators can make sure they only spend as more customers come onboard by installing new capacity in line with demand. This optimises cash flow and secures revenue quickly, as the individual installations are smaller, thus faster, to deploy. For example, ABB worked with US-based data centre operator, GIGA, to design a system that would initially support 60MW of IT load and can be scaled to expand in increments of 2MW. The expansion project was completed in less than six months, allowing them to onboard customers as they continued to build capacity. Modular solutions Modular, prefabricated solutions not only enable a pay-as-you-grow strategy, but also helps speed to deployment so that operators can meet crucial project deadlines and generate revenue faster. eHouses, for example, are industry-proven, prefabricated solutions that can be quickly transported and installed on site, reducing risk of project delays. Already factory-tested to meet all necessary data regulations, eHouses can be shipped and packaged in one order, simplifying communications and logistics to a single point of contact to streamline processes and save on onsite manpower. Another benefit of prefabricated solutions is that they improve reliability and optimise the speed of data centre build and maintenance. Since the solutions are pre-tested beforehand, onsite engineers and installers are helped with a 'plug-and-play' approach – site connection, testing, and commissioning are all much faster, reducing risk of schedule delays and cost overruns. Some even provide a tax advantage since they can be depreciated as equipment rather than building. Overall, compared to traditional build methods, the build time from engineering to construction can be reduced by up to 30% when using modular, prefabricated solutions. Going another step and using predesigned eHouses and skids could reduce that time by a further 20%. Digitalisation Not only does digitalisation give operators the benefit of remote condition monitoring of equipment, but it can also speed up deployment time and profitability. Digital switchgears, for example, replace hundreds of copper wires with a single fibre optic bus cable. In this way, digitalisation can reduce wiring by up to 90%, significantly decreasing installation time. Similarly, the sensor technology of digital switchgears enables operators to alter system parameters via software rather than needing to make hardware changes in traditional builds. These can be done later in the production cycle and reduce expensive and time-costly hardware changes. Users of digital switchgears can also make adjustments via built-in device settings or download software updates remotely whenever necessary, providing for safer and more reliable and energy-efficient equipment. Online tools Modern online web applications and tools can cut data centre deployment times compared with conventional methods for configuring low voltage technology. In many cases, these online applications can help shorten the time to manufacture to weeks rather than months. Configurators provide savings on time and cost by eliminating potential errors in product specification. Through innovative web apps with 3D visual interfaces, data centre operators can easily retrieve specific product information, including images, technical specifications, and product availability before placing an order, reducing chances of project delays. The use of online tools also simplifies product orders, as production, assembly, packaging, and delivery can be done in one accurate and streamlined process. These tools are somewhat like an online store, but instead of going through numerous online listings to find the right price and specification, it does the work for you.