Data Centre Infrastructure News & Trends

Evocative to participate at National DICE event

Evocative, a global provider of internet infrastructure, announces that Jay Smith, its Vice President, Data Center Operations and Engineering, is participating on a panel at National DICE Data Center Management, Operations and Cooling - West. The panel, entitled Data Centre Operations and Management: Navigating the Future of Facility Optimisation and Infrastructure Management, is taking place on Thursday, 2 October 2025 in California, USA. Jay and other industry executives will explore how data centre tools like data centre infrastructure management (DCIM) are becoming pivotal for modern data centres as they leverage integration with AI, automation, and sustainability features to meet growing operational demands. The company says Jay will call on his experience leading the operations at Evocative’s US-wide footprint of interconnected, carrier-neutral data centres to inform his perspective. On the panel, he will draw on this experience to discuss topics such as the best tools available to streamline operations and increase efficiency, managing the increasing complexity of IT infrastructure, and preparing for the rapid growth of AI-ready infrastructure. The panel and event What: "Data Centre Operations and Management: Navigating the Future of Facility Optimisation and Infrastructure Management" Where: Santa Clara Marriott: 2700 Mission College Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95054 When: Thursday, 2 October 2025 | 8:30 am - 9:10 am PT Who: Panel members include: · Jay Smith, Vice President, Data Center Operations and Engineering at Evocative· Stephanie Silva, Cloud Supply Chain and Operations (CSCO) at Google· Clae Anderson, Director, IT Support at Kaiser Permanente For more from Evocative, click here.

Rethinking fuel control

In this exclusive article for DCNN, Jeff Hamilton, Fuel Oil Team Manager at Preferred Utilities Manufacturing Corporation, explores how distributed control systems can enhance reliability, security, and scalability in critical backup fuel infrastructure: Distributed architecture for resilient infrastructure Uninterrupted power is non-negotiable for data centres to provide continuity through every possible scenario, from extreme weather events to grid instability in an ageing infrastructure. Generators, of course, are central to this resilience, but we must also consider the fuel storage infrastructure that powers them. The way the fuel is monitored, delivered, and secured by a control system ultimately determines whether a backup system succeeds or fails when it is needed most. The risks of centralised control A traditional fuel control system typically uses a centralised controller such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) to manage all components. The PLC coordinates data from sensors, controls pumps, logs events, and communicates with building automation systems. Often, this controller connects through hardwired, point-to-point circuits that span large distances throughout the facility. This setup creates a couple of potential vulnerabilities: 1. If the central controller fails, the entire fuel system can be compromised. A wiring fault or software error may take down the full network of equipment it supports. 2. Cybersecurity is also a concern when using a centralised controller, especially if it’s connected to broader network infrastructure. A single breach can expose your entire system. Whilst these vulnerabilities may be acceptable in some industrial situations, modern data centres demand more robust and secure solutions. Decentralisation in control architecture addresses these concerns. Distributed logic and redundant communications Next-generation fuel control systems are adopting architectures with distributed logic, meaning that control is no longer centralised in one location. Instead, each field controller—or “node”—has its own processor and local interface. These nodes operate autonomously, running dedicated programs for their assigned devices (such as tank level sensors or transfer pumps). These nodes then communicate with one another over redundant communication networks. This peer-to-peer model eliminates the need for a master controller. If one node fails or if communication is interrupted, others continue operating without disruption. This means that pump operations, alarms, and safety protocols all remain active because each node has its own logic and control. This model increases both uptime and safety; it also simplifies installation. Since each node handles its own logic and display, it needs far less wiring than centralised systems. Adding new equipment involves simply installing a new node and connecting it to the network, rather than overhauling the entire system. Built-in cybersecurity through architecture A system’s underlying architecture plays a key role in determining its vulnerability to cybersecurity hacks. Centralised systems can provide a single entry point to an entire system. Distributed control architectures offer a fundamentally different security profile. Without a single controller, there is no single target. Each node operates independently and the communication network does not require internet-facing protocols. In some applications, distributed systems have even been configured to work in physical isolation, particularly where EMP protection is required. Attackers seeking to disrupt operations would need to compromise multiple nodes simultaneously, a task substantially more difficult than targeting a central controller. Even if one segment is compromised or disabled, the rest of the system continues to function as designed. This creates a hardened, resilient infrastructure that aligns with zero-trust security principles. Safety and redundancy by default Of course, any fuel control system must not just be secure; it must also be safe. Distributed systems offer advantages here as well. Each node can be programmed with local safety interlocks. For example, if a tank level sensor detects overfill, the node managing that tank can shut off the pump without needing permission from a central controller. Other safety features often include dual-pump rotation to prevent uneven wear, leak detection, and temperature or pressure monitoring with response actions. These processes run locally and independently. Even if communication between nodes is lost, the safety routines continue. Additionally, touchscreens or displays on individual nodes allow on-site personnel to access diagnostics and system data from any node on the network. This visibility simplifies troubleshooting and provides more oversight of real-time conditions. Scaling with confidence Data centres require flexibility to grow and adapt. However, traditional control systems make changes like upgrading infrastructure, increasing power, and installing additional backup systems costly and complex, often requiring complete rewiring or reprogramming. Distributed control systems make scaling more manageable. Adding a new generator or day tank, for example, involves connecting a new controller node and loading its program. Since each node contains its own logic and communicates over a shared network, the rest of the system continues operating during the upgrade. This minimises downtime and reduces installation costs. Some systems even allow live diagnostics during commissioning, which can be particularly valuable when downtime is not an option. A better approach for critical infrastructure Data centres face incredible pressure to deliver continuous performance, efficiency, and resilience. Backup fuel systems are a vital part of this reliability strategy, but the way these systems are controlled and monitored is changing. Distributed control architectures offer a smarter, safer path forwards. Preferred Utilities Manufacturing Corporation is committed to supporting data centres to better manage their critical operations. This commitment is reflected in products and solutions like its Preferred Fuel System Controller (FSC), a distributed control architecture that offers all the features described throughout this article, including redundant, masterless/node-based communication, providing secure, safe, and flexible fuel system control. With Preferred’s expertise, a distributed control architecture can be applied to system sizes ranging from 60 to 120 day tanks.

Macquarie, Netskope partner on network security in Australia

Macquarie Telecom, an Australian provider of data centres, cloud services, cybersecurity, and telecommunications, part of Macquarie Technology Group, has announced a partnership with Netskope to simplify how Australian organisations secure and manage data, cloud, and AI applications. The collaboration combines Netskope’s Security Service Edge (SSE) platform with Macquarie Telecom’s software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). Together, these form a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) framework, offering integrated networking and security functions for organisations adopting cloud services and AI. Addressing cybersecurity pressures Australian businesses have faced repeated data breaches in recent years, prompting tighter cybersecurity regulation and greater demands on IT teams. The partnership aims to provide unified security and network management, helping organisations protect users and data across different environments. Netskope’s platform consolidates web, data, cloud, and AI security into a single system, designed to reduce costs and balance protection with performance. It is IRAP-assessed at the PROTECTED level for use within Australian Government departments and critical industries. The combined service also supports compliance with the Security of Critical Infrastructure (SOCI) Act and the Essential Eight framework. Luke Clifton, Group Executive for Macquarie Telecom, says, “Organisations big and small are under immense pressure to strengthen their cyber defences while keeping operations simple and manageable. "By joining forces with Netskope, we’re giving customers a smarter, more resilient network backed by integrated, enterprise-grade security. They’re getting the best of both worlds.” Tony Burnside, Senior Vice President and Head of APAC at Netskope, adds, “Modern networks need to be both fast and secure, but many organisations are still having to accept trade-offs between performance and security. "Networking and security consolidation is now a cornerstone of the demands of modern business, and through this partnership with Macquarie Telecom, we will help more Australian organisations unlock enhanced levels of data security.” Netskope already works with Macquarie Government, Macquarie Telecom’s sister company, to deliver SASE technology to federal government customers. The new partnership expands that collaboration into the wider business sector. For more from Macquarie Telecom, click here.

Turkish interconnection market projected to double by 2030

According to a new study by DStream Group, commissioned by internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX, Istanbul is emerging as a global digital hub and a key interconnection point for data traffic between Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. The findings were published to mark the tenth anniversary of DE-CIX Istanbul, Turkey’s largest neutral internet exchange. Over the past decade, the country has moved from a fragmented digital landscape to one of regional integration and growing global importance. Istanbul’s role as a digital hub The study highlights that Turkey has made notable progress in digital infrastructure, with Istanbul at the forefront. A combination of location, an expanding internet exchange market, and rising demand for data services has strengthened the city’s role in regional connectivity. Istanbul’s data centre market is also expanding, supported by demand for cloud services, digital transformation, content delivery, and wider internet penetration. The report forecasts that the city’s interconnection market will exceed 150 networks and carry multi-terabit-per-second traffic by 2030, nearly double today’s levels. Turkey’s position as a land bridge between Europe and Asia offers additional resilience for international connectivity. Nationwide fibre coverage and submarine cable systems landing in the country link directly with more than 20 neighbours, creating alternative routes for data flows. Land-based connections also provide redundancy to European submarine routes, strengthening reliability. Other cities, including Ankara, Izmir, and Van, are also emerging as infrastructure hubs, contributing to a more distributed national network. DE-CIX Istanbul’s role Established in 2015, DE-CIX Istanbul is the country’s first and largest neutral internet exchange, enabling low-latency data exchange between more than 60 networks. The exchange now operates across over ten colocation sites in the city, providing geographic redundancy. According to DE-CIX, 93% of international networks in Istanbul peer through its platform. This has attracted global operators, encouraged development of land-based routes, and most recently supported the launch of an AWS cloud onramp in the city. Bülent Sen, Regional Director of DE-CIX Türkiye, says, “Turkey is no longer just a gateway; it’s becoming a destination for digital investment. We are already seeing massive growth at the exchange. "In early August, the IX surpassed 500 Gbit/s of throughput for the first time, and in September 2025, peak traffic exceeded 533 Gbit/s - up 42% since the start of the year. We expect this trend to continue, driven by the adoption of artificial intelligence, which many businesses now rank as a top investment priority.” Looking to the next decade, DE-CIX predicts that AI and satellite internet will reshape demand for connectivity. Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, adds, “With a commitment to neutrality, DE-CIX Istanbul is poised to anchor regional data flows and support the digital future of the whole region. "AI and satellite-based internet will significantly reshape the connectivity landscape in the coming decade. Turkey is well-placed to play a major role in this transformation.” The study suggests Turkey should focus on attracting hyperscale cloud providers, increasing CDN deployments, and broadening its interconnection ecosystem. It also recommends regulatory reform, greater infrastructure liberalisation, and stronger public-private partnerships to support the country’s digital economy. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

Infinidat expands enterprise storage offerings

Infinidat, a provider of enterprise data storage systems, has announced the expansion of its InfiniBox G4 family of enterprise storage systems with a series of enhancements and a new smaller form-factor model. The InfiniBox SSA G4 F24 all-flash family aims to deliver high-end storage in a reduced footprint, with improved energy efficiency and a lower entry price point for enterprise storage. The evolution of the InfiniBox G4 family is hoped by the company to make high-end enterprise storage more accessible to a broader range of enterprises. Eric Herzog, CMO at Infinidat, says, "We continue to expand and enhance our InfiniBox G4 family, enabling enterprise customers and service providers to store larger quantities of data more efficiently, have easier access to advanced storage capabilities, benefit from flexible capacity management, free up rack space and floorspace, and reduce energy consumption for a greener storage infrastructure at a better power cost-efficiency per terabyte of storage." Key features of the InfiniBox SSA G4 F24 One of the attributes of the new InfiniBox SSA G4 F24 all-flash family is a 31% smaller physical configuration, intending to achieve a more efficient power profile. The entry price point is also 29% lower than the original small form-factor of the InfiniBox SSA G4. The system features a 45% reduction in power per petabyte (PBu), which - the company hopes - should mean less power usage, less use of coolant chemicals, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Infinidat claims the product offers 28% more capacity in the smaller footprint, up to two times better bandwidth performance, and "over 32% better overall performance." The full stack of InfiniSafe software's cyber storage security technology comes at no charge with the InfiniBox G4 system. For more from Infinidat, click here.

Future-proofing network infrastructure

In this exclusive article for DCNN, Warren Aw, Chief Commercial Officer at Epsilon Telecommunications, highlights why agile, high-capacity connectivity is the critical ingredient for resilience in an era of relentless digital demand: Colocation, connectivity, and continuity In today’s digital landscape, business IT environments are becoming increasingly sophisticated and, with that, more complex. Whether it’s an enterprise working to stay ahead of increasingly digitally savvy consumers, or a service provider keeping those enterprise services and workloads up and running, network downtime is no longer an option. Downtime is more than just an inconvenience; it’s a major threat to revenue and reputation. For 90% of mid-to-large-sized enterprises, just one hour offline can cost more than $300,000 (ITIC) (£221,000). Despite this, many businesses are still relying on infrastructure that wasn’t built for the scale, speed, or strain of today’s digital demands. Whether the services are mission-critical or not, a bad online experience can make or break customer relationships in an instant. Customers now expect always-on availability for a wide range of services, such as streaming video content, collaborating in the workplace, performing financial transactions, or accessing cloud services. Business continuity was once a contingency plan, but it has now become a competitive advantage. That being said, ensuring continuity is also becoming more difficult due to growing data volumes, AI workloads, rising user expectations, and a more distributed business application ecosystem. This, coupled with real-world constraints like power limitations, infrastructure strain, and inconsistent SLAs, is making it more important than ever for businesses to re-evaluate their network and business continuity strategies to stay resilient, particularly if legacy infrastructure is still in play. Colocation, when combined with agile, high-capacity connectivity, can provide a simpler, smarter way for businesses to keep service access and delivery both online and ahead in a competitive market. Colocation really is more than just racks and servers; it’s an opportunity to future-proof network infrastructure with adaptability, scalability, and reliability at the core. Legacy infrastructure limitations As businesses deploy more data-intensive applications, compact edge computing devices, and AI workloads, rising demands are putting increased strain on legacy infrastructure and on-premises environments. This includes: • Power constraints – Modern applications require newer, high-density equipment, which significantly increases power requirements.• Downtime risks – Legacy infrastructure and single points of failure raise the likelihood of outages, damaging SLAs, revenue, and brand reputation.• Business continuity gaps – Without resilient infrastructure and built-in redundancy, organisations face growing challenges in maintaining always-on availability.• Scalability challenges – On-premises infrastructure can be slow and expensive to scale in response to customer demands or new market opportunities.• High costs – Cooling, power, staffing, and maintenance are stretching budgets and internal team resources.• Inter-provider complexity – Managing connectivity across multiple clouds, partners, and carriers is complex, time-consuming, and prone to performance issues without the right interconnect fabric. These limitations are pushing IT leaders to look for modern, flexible infrastructure strategies that can grow with their business. Colocation for business continuity Colocation is more than just renting space in a data centre; it’s a strategic way to strengthen business continuity while simplifying IT infrastructure. Instead of maintaining costly on-premises facilities, organisations can host critical infrastructure in purpose-built, third-party data centres. This shift not only reduces capital expenditure, but also enables teams to focus on innovation rather than infrastructure. Colocation provides robust power, security, and carrier-neutral connectivity to a global network ecosystem designed to prioritise uptime, resilience, and reach. One of the key advantages of colocation is dual-site access, which allows businesses to distribute their infrastructure across two geographically separate, interconnected facilities. This setup is vital for disaster recovery and redundancy planning. If one site experiences a disruption – whether due to a power failure, natural disaster, or hardware issue – traffic and workloads can seamlessly fail over to the second site, minimising downtime and ensuring uninterrupted service delivery. Colocation also supports business continuity by offering high-speed, low-latency connectivity to clouds, carriers, and partners. On top of this, it offers physical security and environmental controls that exceed most in-house capabilities, as well as power and cooling infrastructure designed for high-density, mission-critical workloads. Beyond continuity, it brings cost-efficiency, operational simplicity, and access to a broader ecosystem of services. Colocation enables enterprises and service providers to focus on delivering value, rather than managing infrastructure. Mitigating risk, maximising uptime With increasingly complex IT environments and 24/7 availability becoming the new norm, having the right infrastructure in place is crucial. Colocation offers a practical, scalable way to support business continuity, reduce risk, and stay flexible in a changing landscape. Epsilon offers colocation services across key hubs in London, Singapore, New York, and South Korea. Each facility provides 99.999% uptime and robust power backup, as well as direct access to our global network fabric of over 500 data centres, clouds, and internet exchanges via our NaaS platform, Infiny. By future-proofing network infrastructure, colocation can maximise uptime, improve customer experiences, and build new competitive advantages that can support long-term business goals. Ultimately, colocation provides the stable foundation that organisations need to safeguard operations in an unpredictable world. Business continuity is no longer a backup plan; it’s a competitive differentiator. For more from Epsilon, click here.

STL showcases multi-core fibre at Connected Britain

STL, an optical and digital systems company, has demonstrated its Unitube Single Jacket Indoor Optical Fibre Cable with four-core multi-core fibre (MCF) at Connected Britain 2025. The technology places four cores within the same cladding diameter as standard single-mode fibre, maintaining a coating size of 250/200 micrometres. STL is among the first companies to show real-world deployments of MCF technology, with use cases spanning underground and duct networks. Building on this work, the new cable has been designed specifically for indoor environments such as data centres, campus networks, and commercial buildings. Fire safety and performance features The cable is certified under the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) EuroClass Cca-s2, d1, a1 standard, providing a high level of fire resistance for critical infrastructure. STL has also developed optical distribution units and connectivity solutions to complement the product, aiming to simplify integration into existing network architectures. Key features of the indoor cable include: • Enhanced security — support for quantum key distribution (QKD) to enable tamper-evident encryption• Future-ready bandwidth — four times the throughput of legacy fibres, supporting applications such as AI, 5G, and quantum technologies• Compact design — higher fibre counts within a smaller footprint, with examples including 864 fibres scaled to 3,456 using MCF• Scalability — a single deployment providing higher backbone capacity for long-term use Dr Badri Gomatam, CTO at STL, comments, “Through continuous innovation and global partnerships, STL is accelerating the adoption of advanced optical technologies. "Our Unitube Single Jacket Indoor Optical Fibre Cable with MCF is engineered to meet the growing demands of high-capacity, secure, and future-ready networks. "With our ongoing global standardisation efforts and real-world deployments, we are proud to lead the evolution of optical infrastructure that powers next-generation applications.”

Arteco introduces ECO coolants for data centres

Arteco, a Belgian manufacturer of heat transfer fluids and direct-to-chip coolants, has expanded its coolant portfolio with the launch of ECO versions of its ZITREC EC product line, designed for direct-to-chip liquid cooling in data centres. Each product is manufactured using renewable or recycled feedstocks with the aim of delivering a significantly reduced product carbon footprint compared with fossil-based equivalents, while maintaining the same thermal performance and reliability. Addressing growing thermal challenges As demand for high-performance computing rises, driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and other workloads, operators face increasing challenges in managing heat loads efficiently. Arteco’s ZITREC EC line was developed to support liquid cooling systems in data centres, enabling high thermal performance and energy efficiency. The new ECO version incorporates base fluids, Propylene Glycol (PG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG), sourced from certified renewable or recycled materials. By moving away from virgin fossil-based resources, ECO products aim to help customers reduce scope 3 emissions without compromising quality. Serge Lievens, Technology Manager at Arteco, says, “Our comprehensive life cycle assessment studies show that the biggest environmental impact of our coolants comes from fossil-based raw materials at the start of the value chain. "By rethinking those building blocks and incorporating renewable and/or recycled raw materials, we are able to offer products with significantly lower climate impact, without compromising on high quality and performance standards.” Certification and traceability Arteco’s ECO coolants use a mass balance approach, ensuring that renewable and recycled feedstocks are integrated into production while maintaining full traceability. The process is certified under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS standard. Alexandre Moireau, General Manager at Arteco, says, “At Arteco, we firmly believe the future of cooling must be sustainable. Our sustainability strategy focuses on climate action, smart use of resources, and care for people and communities. "This new family of ECO coolants is a natural extension of that commitment. Sustainability for us is a continuous journey, one where we keep researching, innovating, and collaborating to create better, cleaner cooling solutions.” For more from Arteco, click here.

ProLabs expands 100G DCO transceiver range to 80km

ProLabs, a provider of optical connectivity and networking equipment, has launched an expanded QSFP28 100G digital coherent optics (DCO) transceiver family capable of extending network reach to 80 kilometres - up to twice the distance of typical transceivers. The development comes as the UK, the world’s third-largest data centre market, faces increasing demand from AI and other emerging technologies. By using ProLabs’ 100G DCO transceivers, the company says operators can connect data centres over longer distances without the need for repeaters, reducing infrastructure costs and freeing up resources for other areas of the network. Reducing equipment and energy demand According to ProLabs, the new range reduces reliance on intermediate points of presence (PoPs) and reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexers (ROADMs), cutting the amount of equipment required. Sam Walker, Vice President of Sales EMEAI at ProLabs, comments, “We are delighted to have launched our expanded range of DCO transceivers complementing our existing 400G ZR+ ahead of Connected Britain. "Our transceivers will enable operators to improve their networks, reducing the number of active elements within the optical path. Not only does this reduce avoidable overheads, but it also helps address the growing demand for high-capacity, low-latency connectivity.” The range is available in two variants: a standard power version for -10 dBm requirements and a high-transmit version for specific applications. Options include ITEMP, ITEMP AutoTune, and CTEMP AutoTune, with a CMIS version due to be launched shortly. These features allow operators to automatically select the required wavelength once installed, aiming to support faster and more flexible integration. Sam continues, “Another issue facing operators is power consumption. AI data centres require far more processing power than traditional facilities, and energy is costly. "However, less network infrastructure means less power is required, so the use of our 100G DCO transceivers means operators can free up essential resources that may have been tied to power consumption.” The ProLabs family of 100G DCO transceivers will be available for the first time at Connected Britain in London (24-25 September) at Stand 258. For more from ProLabs, click here.

Ciena to acquire Nubis Communications in $270m deal

Ciena, an American networking systems and software company, has announced an agreement to acquire Nubis Communications, a privately held company based in New Providence, New Jersey, USA, in an all-cash transaction valued at $270 million (£199 million). Nubis specialises in high-performance, low-power optical and electrical interconnects designed to support artificial intelligence (AI) workloads. The acquisition is hoped to strengthen Ciena’s data centre strategy by adding new technologies and expanding its engineering expertise. Expanding data centre interconnect capabilities Nubis’ technology is focused on increasing scale and density inside the data centre to handle growing AI traffic. Its portfolio includes: • Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) and Near Packaged Optics (NPO) — high-density optical modules capable of 6.4 Tb/s full-duplex bandwidth, optimised for low-latency, low-power operation. Combined with Ciena’s SerDes, these engines enable advanced interconnects for rack-to-rack and in-rack connectivity. • Electrical Active Copper Cables (ACC) — analogue electronics that extend copper connectivity up to 4 metres at 200 Gb/s per lane, offering a low-power, low-latency alternative to traditional copper or DSP-based approaches. In addition, more than 50 Nubis engineers will join Ciena’s research and development team, strengthening its technical capabilities inside the data centre. David Rothenstein, Chief Strategy Officer at Ciena, says, “The acquisition of Nubis represents a significant step forward in Ciena’s strategy to address the rapidly growing demand for scalable, high-performance connectivity inside the data centre, driven by the explosive growth of AI-related traffic. "With ownership of these key technologies for a wider range of use cases inside the data centre, we are expanding our competitive advantage by advancing development of differentiated solutions, reducing development costs, and driving long-term efficiency and profitability.” Dan Harding, CEO of Nubis, adds, “The Nubis team is thrilled to join Ciena and enhance its portfolio with our interconnect technologies. Together, we will advance Ciena's data centre strategy by delivering reliable and high-performance solutions to support the next generation of AI workloads.” Transaction details The acquisition has been approved by the boards of both companies and Nubis shareholders. It includes customary purchase price adjustments for cash, debt, and working capital, along with employee retention arrangements. The deal is expected to close during Ciena’s fiscal fourth quarter of 2025, subject to standard closing conditions. For more from Ciena, click here.