Data Centre Infrastructure News & Trends

CommScope expands SYSTIMAX Constellation platform

CommScope, a US manufacturer of network infrastructure products, has announced the global availability of its evolved SYSTIMAX Constellation platform, an edge-based system for power and data connectivity designed for large-scale enterprise networks. Now compliant with international power and data transmission standards, the Constellation platform combines fault-managed power with hybrid power and data fibre cabling in a simplified star topology. The design enables hundreds or thousands of connected devices to be powered and linked efficiently across buildings or campuses. Simplified architecture for modern infrastructure The platform’s modular, technology-agnostic design supports both AC and DC power applications and multiple IT and operational technology (OT) standards. The company says unlike traditional structured cabling, Constellation removes the need for a telecoms room or wiring closet on every floor, allowing centralised uninterruptible power supply (UPS) management. Constellation Points (CPs) can be installed in ceilings, walls, or equipment racks, reducing space requirements and component use. The system delivers higher power and faster data speeds over longer distances, supporting 10G and above bandwidth and up to 1kW of fault-managed power. According to CommScope, the platform can reduce installation labour by more than 50% compared with conventional cabling, while also lowering material use and the network’s overall carbon footprint through reductions in copper and plastic. Luc Adriaenssens, Vice President of Building and Campus, CommScope Connectivity Solutions, comments, “The Constellation platform enables our customers to support denser urban environments and the growing number of connected devices in their buildings. "By offering a modular, technology-agnostic solution, we’re providing greater flexibility for network design - allowing scalability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.” Technical and sustainability features Part of CommScope’s SYSTIMAX cabling and connectivity range, the Constellation system includes Propel fibre panels, power transmitters, and transition panels connected to CPs via hybrid fibre trunks. End devices are linked through pre-terminated Cat 6A patch cords and cable assemblies. Key performance and sustainability metrics include: • Up to 1,800W of power delivered at distances of 250m• Up to 1,000W at 500m• Up to 700W at 1,000m• Support for 10G and higher data rates• Up to 50 connected devices per CP• 57% reduction in skilled installation labour hours• 59% less copper and 65% less plastic compared with traditional LAN systems• Up to 40% lower embodied network carbon footprint The Constellation platform is now available worldwide. For more from CommScope, click here.

A-Gas completes large-scale DC refrigerant recovery project

A-Gas, a company specialising in Lifecycle Refrigerant Management (LRM), has completed a major refrigerant recovery project for a global technology provider, marking a significant environmental milestone for the data centre sector. More than 73,000 lbs (33,000 kg) of R410A were safely recovered across five buildings containing 222 cooling units scheduled for decommissioning. The work, carried out under challenging summer conditions, prevented the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to 70,226 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂e). The project was managed by A-Gas Rapid Recovery, the company’s on-site refrigerant recovery division, which specialises in high-speed, compliant recovery operations for commercial and industrial facilities. Environmental and operational impact A-Gas said the recovery operation demonstrated its commitment to safe and environmentally responsible refrigerant lifecycle management. The project not only reduced environmental impact, but also delivered financial benefits to the client through the A-Gas buyback programme. Rapid Recovery’s process is designed to complete complex projects quickly, with recovery speeds up to 10 times faster than conventional methods, helping reduce downtime during critical infrastructure transitions. The operation included full Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) documentation, refrigerant analysis, and regulatory compliance checks throughout. A-Gas said its approach combines global expertise with safety-first practices to help technology and data centre clients meet both operational and sustainability goals. For more from A-Gas, click here.

Building AI-ready networks: Smart cabling for the edge era

In this exclusive article for DCNN, Rachid Ait Ben Ali, Product & Solutions Manager, Smart Building & Data Center at Aginode, explores how next-generation fibre and automated management systems are redefining infrastructure for AI and edge computing: Cabling for the future As artificial intelligence and edge computing rapidly reshape data centre architectures, network infrastructure has to evolve to keep up. Critical applications such as autonomous systems, real-time analytics, and GPU-to-GPU communication for AI model training are highly sensitive to latency, signal degradation, and disruptions caused by excessive hops or amplification points. To meet fast-moving, rigorous requirements, cutting-edge cabling solutions - including ultra-dense fibre panels and the latest generation of Automated Infrastructure Management (AIM) systems - are essential. A closer look at the requirements AI-driven infrastructure is unforgiving of downtime and demands built-in redundancy. Workloads are often unpredictable and heavily overloaded, which means they need optical cabling that can absorb traffic spikes without performance degradation. Architectures supporting AI are non-linear and bandwidth-intensive, requiring designs with optimised physical pathways. Fibre networks in these settings must be capable of supporting transmission rates of 400G, 800G, and beyond. At the same time, edge computing introduces a new level of complexity. Its highly distributed nature requires fibre connectivity that is not only robust and high-performing, but also low maintenance and compact enough to function within physical and power-constrained environments. As AI workloads - from training to inference - generate immense volumes of east-west traffic across dense GPU clusters, managing connectivity and thermal performance becomes critical. These clusters produce extreme heat, making thermally optimised cabling and carefully considered airflow vital. Addressing challenges from a technical perspective Everything starts with the right cabling. Pre-terminated fibre links support rapid and reliable deployment at hyperscale and edge sites. High CPR-rated solutions help ensure compliance with stringent fire safety standards. As organisations plan for upgrades to 800G or even 1.6 Tbps networks, deploying a future-ready cabling plant is essential. Smart labelling systems simplify identification, reduce downtime, and help teams operate more efficiently. Ultra-polished UPC and APC connectors minimise reflection and insertion loss - crucial for extremely latency-sensitive AI applications. High-density fibre-optic cabling, such as MPO/MTP for parallel optics, enables scalable bandwidth in compact footprints. OM5 multimode fibre is well-suited for dense AI clusters and edge deployments. Supporting multiple wavelengths over short distances and offering tighter loss budgets, OM5 delivers high bandwidth without dramatically increasing cable volume. Modern cable designs enhance performance through quality shielding, precise construction, shorter channel lengths, and cleaner signal paths that reduce hops and signal loss. The network architecture itself also plays a key role. Ethernet backbones operating at 400G and 800G, combined with direct-connect models like leaf-spine or fully meshed fabrics, reduce latency and support AI’s massive east-west traffic patterns. Minimising patching and interconnection points cuts down on signal attenuation and interference, further improving efficiency. Innovations such as ultra-dense fibre panels and MPO connectors help scale operations without overloading valuable rack space and enable rapid deployment while avoiding costly rewiring. AIM systems are becoming indispensable, offering real-time visibility into port status, topology, and usage, and integrating with Data Centre Infrastructure Management (DCIM) and orchestration tools. By leveraging AI-powered tracking and analytics, AIM systems enable real-time monitoring and automate management tasks. This reduces mean time to repair (MTTR), minimises human error, and supports large-scale, AI-driven operations. In environments where model training may take months, cabling with embedded diagnostics ensures uninterrupted operation and transparency. Different types of fibre can be tracked, diagnosed, and reconfigured with minimal manual intervention. That’s essential for mission-critical systems. Further considerations Smooth integration of high-performance fibre into AI and edge-ready environments demands careful attention to detail. As GPU-dense racks fill with fibre, insertion and connection loss must be minimised, which increases the importance of ultra-low-loss multimode solutions. Thermal and spatial constraints in AI deployments necessitate slim, compact cabling designs that do not compromise on performance. Adhering to industry standards such as ISO/IEC OM5 and MPO ensures compatibility across hardware ecosystems and simplifies deployment at geographically distributed edge sites. Looking ahead, future-proofing and sustainability are equally important. Investing in OM5 fibre today helps avoid the cost and disruption of replacement as bandwidth demands continue to grow. Automated cabling systems reduce operational expenditures but also enable agile provisioning, even in edge locations where power is constrained. Low-loss fibre reduces the need for signal amplification, conserving energy, while structured, durable panels minimise long-term maintenance waste. To accommodate the demanding requirements of AI and edge computing, data centre design must transition from legacy copper and basic point-to-point fibre models to high-density, automated multimode fibre ecosystems. Smart cabling, ultra-dense panels, and intelligent management solutions form the backbone of this transformation. These technologies empower both hyperscale and edge operations with high bandwidth, low latency, and operational agility. Meeting the needs of AI-ready infrastructure doesn’t just require speed; it demands ultra-high bandwidth, minimal latency, granular insights, simplified manageability, and flexible (re)configuration. With the right infrastructure, it’s possible to build networks that are powerful enough for AI at scale and flexible enough enough for edge deployment.

DE-CIX Malaysia extends reach with NTT DATA partnership

Internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX Malaysia has announced the launch of its full suite of interconnection services at NTT DATA’s CBJ1 data centre in Cyberjaya, marking a further expansion of Malaysia’s digital infrastructure and the country’s role as a regional connectivity hub. The partnership represents the first local collaboration between DE-CIX Malaysia and NTT Global Data Centres, following successful projects in other international markets. It aims to enhance interconnection options for enterprises, internet service providers (ISPs), cloud providers, and content delivery networks (CDNs) across Southeast Asia. Expanding interconnection capacity in Cyberjaya The collaboration enables customers at NTT DATA’s Cyberjaya facility to access DE-CIX’s peering, cloud exchange, and virtual private network interconnection (VPNI) services. These include premium peering through GlobePEER, direct cloud connectivity via DirectCLOUD, and Blackholing for DDoS mitigation. Weng-Yew Wong, Member of the Board of Management at DE-CIX Malaysia, comments, “This partnership is a strategic move to bring DE-CIX’s interconnection services closer to Malaysia’s enterprises. "By enabling our platform at NTT Global Data Centres’ Cyberjaya site, we are expanding the region’s digital ecosystem and offering greater reach, security, and reliability.” The collaboration will also allow NTT Global Data Centres to attract additional network-focused tenants, including enterprise and hyperscale operators. Yasuo Suzuki, Managing Director, APAC, NTT Global Data Centres, says, “This collaboration reflects our ongoing efforts to bring strategic partners such as DE-CIX into our facilities to enhance connectivity and performance for our clients. "The presence of DE-CIX in our Cyberjaya campus offers improved access to cloud platforms and digital services with minimal latency.” Strengthening Malaysia’s digital ecosystem Cyberjaya has become one of Malaysia’s leading technology hubs, offering high-capacity power, fibre connectivity, and a growing community of network-based enterprises. DE-CIX’s presence at NTT DATA’s CBJ1 data centre provides immediate access to its global interconnection platform via secure ethernet cross-connects and VLAN tagging, supporting low-latency connectivity to international networks. The companies say the collaboration will contribute to the development of resilient, scalable digital infrastructure across Malaysia and strengthen interconnection routes between Asia, Europe, and the United States. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

GNM launches new PoP in Warsaw

GNM (Global Network Management), a backbone internet provider and telecom operator, has launched a new Point of Presence (PoP) at LIM DC in Warsaw, Poland. The new site joins the company’s existing PoPs at Equinix WA1 in Warsaw and 4DC in Katowice, expanding GNM’s footprint in Central Europe. Together, these sites position Poland as a key hub in GNM’s network, directly connected with Germany, Czechia, Ukraine, and other markets in the region. The Warsaw PoP delivers GNM’s full service portfolio, including IP Transit with Tier-1 upstreams, DWDM up to 400G, peering with over 650 ASNs via GNM-IX, ethernet and L2VPN transport, and Remote IX for access to major European exchanges. Krzysztof Krasuski, Head of Region at GNM, comments, “With the launch of our node in LIM DC, Poland is becoming the heart of our Central European network and we are committed to expanding services and connectivity options for all operators in the region.” GNM’s backbone interconnects more than 80 PoPs in 21 countries over 20,000km of optical infrastructure, supporting resilient, low-latency connectivity for carriers, ISPs, and content providers across Europe. For more from GNM, click here.

Nokia, Keysight complete UET test for AI data centres

Finnish telecommunications company Nokia, in collaboration with Keysight Technologies, a US manufacturer of electronic test and measurement equipment and software, has completed end-to-end testing of ultra ethernet (UET) traffic across its data centre switching platforms, including the 7220 and 7250 Interconnect Routers (IXR). The test demonstrates Nokia’s integration of Ultra Ethernet Consortium (UEC) Specification 1.0 features into its networking portfolio, designed to support high-performance computing (HPC) and AI workloads. It marks a step towards lossless, low-latency, large-scale data centre networks built for the demands of AI infrastructure. Testing UET for next-generation network performance The UEC Specification 1.0 defines a new ethernet layer optimised for HPC and AI environments, aiming to reduce latency and packet loss while maintaining interoperability across network architectures. The joint test between Nokia and Keysight used 800 Gigabit ethernet interfaces with UET traffic generated via Keysight’s AresONE 800GE platform. The network spanned Nokia’s 7220 IXR-H5 and 7250 IXR-10e systems, operating with the SR Linux network operating system. According to Nokia, the test also validated coexistence with Remote Direct Memory Access over Converged Ethernet (RoCEv2) and Data Centre Quantised Congestion Notification (DCQCN) technologies, both already supported in its switching platforms. Ram Periakaruppan, Vice President and General Manager of Network Applications and Security at Keysight Technologies, comments, “Networking technologies are evolving rapidly to meet the demands of large-scale AI clusters. "Ultra ethernet is one of the approaches under active development, enabling the next generation of scale-out fabrics. "Our collaboration with Nokia represents a key milestone in validating interoperability and accelerating adoption across the AI networking ecosystem.” Rudy Hoebeke, Vice President of Software Product Management at Nokia, adds, “AI is redefining expectations for data centre network performance. "This successful demonstration with Keysight of UET traffic over Nokia’s switching platforms underlines our commitment to the UEC initiative and reinforces our role in shaping the future of HPC and AI networking.” For more from Nokia, click here.

Ooredoo, DE-CIX launch Qatar’s first commercial IX

Qatari telecommunications company Ooredoo, in partnership with internet exchange (IX) operator DE-CIX, has launched Doha IX, Qatar’s first commercial IX. The new exchange, hosted in Ooredoo’s data centre, is now live with its first connected networks. Doha IX is designed to serve as a secure interconnection hub, enabling traffic exchange between regional and global cloud providers, content networks, internet service providers, and hyperscale platforms. By facilitating direct interconnection, the exchange aims to improve network performance through lower latency while reducing costs for operators. Connectivity and cloud integration The platform offers a data-centre-neutral environment, allowing customers to connect to multiple internet service providers (ISPs), content delivery networks, and cloud platforms via a single port. It also provides direct access to DE-CIX’s global interconnection ecosystem. As part of its service offering, Doha IX enables direct connections to Microsoft Azure Peering Service, giving government and enterprise users in Qatar private access to Microsoft services such as Teams and Outlook. The exchange is also a Verified Peering Provider for Google Cloud and Workspace, supporting secure connectivity to Google’s enterprise applications. Through this ecosystem, businesses and service providers can deliver content more efficiently to Qatar’s user base, while international networks gain a direct path to serve the local market. Thani Ali I A Al-Malki, Chief Business Officer at Ooredoo Qatar, comments, “We are proud to launch Doha IX in collaboration with DE-CIX - a milestone that redefines Qatar’s digital landscape. "Doha IX delivers world-class interconnection, empowering businesses, ISPs, and content providers with faster, smarter, and more secure access to global content. "This initiative marks a significant step in driving Qatar’s digital transformation and strengthening its role as a regional connectivity hub.” Ivo Ivanov, CEO of DE-CIX, adds, “With Doha IX powered by DE-CIX, we are bringing DE-CIX’s global expertise to Qatar, enabling businesses and networks to benefit from superior interconnection services. "Doha IX is the ideal place for international networks interested in reaching this important Middle Eastern market. "The new IX will unleash the potential of the country’s digital economy by providing better performance and user experience of content and applications, and affordable and high-quality internet access for enterprises and individuals.” Doha IX forms part of Qatar’s wider digital development goals under National Vision 2030, aiming to position the country as a regional connectivity hub. Alongside Ooredoo’s wider service portfolio - including IP Transit, Multi-Cloud Connect, hosting, co-location, and international connectivity - the new exchange is expected to play a role in supporting business innovation and economic growth. For more from DE-CIX, click here.

IOEMA subsea cable to land in the Netherlands

The IOEMA Project, which plans to lay subsea fibre optic cables in Northern Europe, has selected Greenhouse Datacenters as an additional landing partner for the landing of the IOEMA subsea cable in Scheveningen (Rotterdam / The Hague area). This marks the seventh landing point in Northern Europe and the second in the Netherlands for the IOEMA cable. The first Dutch landing will be at Eemshaven, in the country’s northern region. The project The IOEMA project is establishing an AI-ready, high-capacity fibre optic connection between the five key Northern European markets. The Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Norway will be directly connected via a 1,600-kilometre repeatered subsea cable, with further connectivity to France under consideration. IOEMA is taking international tensions and security into account by fully armouring and protecting the subsea cable system over its entire length. IOEMA is also considering adding sensors to the system to make it the first SMART cable in Northern Europe. IOEMA is collaborating on this initiative with partners including Eurofiber, Arelion, Colt, EXA Infrastructure, Relined, Bulk, and EWE TEL. The latest collaboration with Greenhouse Datacenters is driven in part by its strategic South Holland location, just 12 kilometres from where the subsea cable from the North Sea comes ashore in Scheveningen (Rotterdam / The Hague). Eckhard Bruckschen, CTO of IOEMA Fibre, says, “We are pleased to announce an additional landing partner for the second Dutch landing point for the IOEMA fibre optic cable in the Netherlands, in the Rotterdam / The Hague area. "By partnering with Greenhouse Datacenters, IOEMA connects directly into a rich connectivity ecosystem, including an on-site AMS-IX PoP. This makes the IOEMA cable accessible to the broader market in South Holland and beyond. "Organisations in this area can benefit from ultra-fast, redundant, secure, and AI-ready connections to other internet hubs in Northern Europe via Greenhouse." A new digital hub Greenhouse Datacenters CEO Ruben van der Zwan says the selection of Greenhouse as landing partner for the IOEMA subsea cable highlights the strategic importance of its data centres for the Dutch South Holland region and the Netherlands as a whole. “The Axiom/Terabit report, Study on the development of the submarine cable market, which was recently on the agenda of the Dutch House of Representatives, extensively examined the strategic national importance of new submarine cables for the Netherlands,” comments Ruben. “The deployment of new submarine cables contributes significantly to stimulating the digital business climate in the Netherlands. Together with data centres and internet exchanges, submarine cables form the basis for further economic development of the Netherlands as an international digital hub." Rick Pijpers, who is involved in the project as a strategic advisor via PWDR.AI, adds, “The landing station for the subsea cable at Greenhouse is much more than a technical facility; it is a strategic digital hub. "A data centre that functions as a landing station becomes a gateway to international data traffic, attracting ecosystems of carriers, cloud providers, and enterprises, thereby strengthening the digital economy. "For Greenhouse and IOEMA, this not only strengthens their own position, but also boosts international connectivity between Norway, Denmark, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Belgium. It creates a new sovereign AI corridor connecting the locations where AI factories will be established in the coming years." According to Peter van Burgel, CEO of AMS-IX, the landing of the subsea cable in Greenhouse’s data centres in the Rotterdam / The Hague area will strengthen the AMS-IX Point-of-Presence located there. He argues, “This makes Greenhouse a powerful digital hub and an important alternative to the Amsterdam data centre market. Enhanced by AI applications, the IOEMA subsea cable will bring huge amounts of international network traffic to Greenhouse, while the existing AMS-IX PoP will enable direct exchange with international and regional carrier, cloud, ISP, and content networks. "This will deliver speed, redundancy, and cost efficiency in digital traffic, reinforcing the South Holland region as a digital hub for AI-driven growth." For more from IOEMA, click here.

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.