News

Carrier launches AquaEdge chiller

Carrier, a manufacturer of HVAC, refrigeration, and fire and security equipment, has introduced the AquaEdge 19MV4 centrifugal chiller, designed to support cooling requirements in high-density AI data centres. The system forms part of the company’s QuantumLeap portfolio and is intended for use in environments where increasing compute density and rising temperatures place pressure on existing cooling infrastructure. The chiller is designed to deliver between 2.1 MW and 3.3 MW of cooling capacity, supporting workloads driven by high-performance GPUs. It is also engineered to operate with chilled-water temperatures of up to 35°C and condensing temperatures up to 55°C, aligning with liquid cooling approaches such as direct-to-chip and rear-door heat exchangers. Designed for high-density cooling environments Carrier states that the system uses a variable-speed centrifugal compressor capable of operating between 10% and 100% load, allowing it to respond to fluctuating AI workloads without frequent cycling. Marti Urpinas, Senior Technical Manager, Vertical Markets EMEA, DC Applied at Carrier, comments, “AI workloads are reshaping data centre specifications, pushing our customers to seek greater thermal headroom without sacrificing power stability. "That sounds like a tall order, but the AquaEdge 19MV4 isn’t a ‘standard’ chiller; it’s a variable-speed centrifugal platform that delivers cooling continuity for high-density racks, even as operators push chilled-water temperatures higher to support direct-to-chip architectures.” The unit is designed to restart within 150 seconds following a power interruption, supporting thermal recovery and reducing the risk of overheating in high-density environments. It also incorporates harmonic filtering to limit electrical distortion and protect associated infrastructure, including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). Carrier reports that the system can achieve a coefficient of performance (COP) of up to 6.75 and an integrated part load value (IPLV) of 11.4 under AHRI test conditions. The chiller is available with refrigerants including R-1234ze and R-515B, supporting compliance with EU F-Gas regulations. Additionally, noise levels are specified at below 80dBA under defined operating conditions. For more from Carrier, click here.

ZIEHL-ABEGG highlights ZAbluefin fan

German ventilation manufacturer ZIEHL-ABEGG has outlined the performance characteristics of its ZAbluefin centrifugal fan, designed for HVAC and air handling unit applications. The fan uses a biomimetic blade design, including a corrugated leading edge and twisted geometry, to improve airflow efficiency. A serrated trailing edge is intended to reduce turbulence and noise while maintaining stable performance under varying airflow conditions. According to the company, the design supports energy efficiency at typical operating points, particularly in environments where airflow may be disrupted. Focus on efficiency and low-noise operation The ZAbluefin fan is designed to reduce sound output, with a focus on minimising tonal noise, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments. Its performance curve allows for a wider operating range without flow separation, enabling system designers to meet different requirements without oversizing equipment. The fan is also intended to support compliance with current and future efficiency regulations. The product range covers diameters from 250mm to 1,120mm, with airflow capability of up to around 90,000m³/h and static pressure up to approximately 2,500Pa. This allows use across both compact and large-scale HVAC systems. ZIEHL-ABEGG has also developed a one-piece mounting system to support installation. The mount is designed for multiple orientations, including horizontal and vertical configurations, and is intended to simplify installation and reduce component variation. The company states that the combined fan and mounting design aims to improve efficiency, reduce noise, and simplify deployment across a range of HVAC applications. For more from ZIEHL-ABEGG, click here.

A look ahead to DTX + UCX Manchester 2026

DTX + UCX Manchester, one of the UK’s leading business transformation events, will return to Manchester Central on 29–30 April 2026. As the flagship event of Manchester Tech Week, it’s set to bring together a renowned roster of speakers with an agenda dedicated to the event’s theme: 'From Purpose to Practice: Igniting Curiosity, Building Trust, Confronting Risk'. In an unmissable Day 1 keynote, two of the world's most formidable cyber authorities will tackle the defining challenge of our era: how to leverage AI against emerging threats. Featuring Howard Marshall, the former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI's Cyber Division, and Kelly Bissell, the former Corporate VP of Product Abuse and Risk at Microsoft, this session offers a rare look at the front lines of global defence. Together, they will share high-level insights on moving from reactive monitoring to autonomous, real-time protection. The momentum continues into Day 2 with a deep dive into the next frontier of automation. Chief AI Officer Chiru Bhavansikar (Arhasi AI), Rahul Kulkarni (AWS), and Andreas Kollegger (Neo4j) will take the stage to dismantle the complexities of Agentic AI, highlighting how knowledge graphs are building the brains behind the next generation of intelligent systems. Across both days, senior technology leaders from Liverpool City Region, GCHQ, the Home Office, and N Brown will share real-world case studies and practical insights, focusing on cyber resilience strategies, regulatory requirements, and deploying AI in a secure, ethical, and commercially viable way. The event brings together IT decision makers covering the entire tech stack, including ITSM, cyber security, IT infrastructure and cloud, data management, communications and collaboration, customer experience, and AI and automation. Visitors can expect exclusive panels, workshops, technical deep-dives, and community meetups. To attend yourself, you can register for a free pass on the event’s website. For more from DTX, click here.

Black & White Engineering makes senior tech hires

Data centre design consultancy Black & White Engineering has appointed Charlie Bater as Chief Technical Officer and Paul Cook as Global Director of Technology & Innovation, expanding its senior technical leadership team. The appointments come as the company continues to grow internationally, now operating across 24 locations with more than 1,000 employees. The move, the company says, reflects increasing demand for integrated, data-led engineering approaches across data centre and critical infrastructure projects. Charlie Bater takes on the newly created CTO role, having spent eight years with the business, most recently as Global Datacentre Director. During that time, he has supported regional expansion, technical standards, and project delivery consistency. The creation of the CTO role forms part of a wider update to the company’s technical leadership structure, aimed at supporting growth and strengthening engineering capability. Paul Cook joins the senior leadership team as Global Director of Technology & Innovation, working alongside Charlie Bater to develop a more structured approach to technology and innovation across projects. He brings experience across sectors including utilities, ports, pharmaceutical research and development, and healthcare. Prior to joining Black & White Engineering, he worked at Yondr Group and ISG in roles focused on technology, research and development, and digital integration. A focus on technical leadership and innovation Charlie Bater says, “Stepping into the CTO role is an incredible opportunity, and I’m grateful for the trust placed in me. Having grown with the business over the past seven years, I’ve seen first hand the strength of our people and the ambition that drives Black & White. “My focus is to build on our position as a leading data centre design consultancy by further enabling a technical function that drives innovation, supports our teams, and ensures we continue delivering high-quality solutions for our clients across global markets.” The appointments are part of the continued development of the company’s Global Engineering Team, a central function that supports project teams, technical direction, and consistency across regions. Paul Cook adds, “A consistent theme throughout my career has been understanding how complex environments operate in practice and how better integration of infrastructure, digital capability, and operational processes can improve performance and resilience. “At Black & White, the opportunity is to build a Technology and Innovation capability that is practical and supports how projects are delivered day to day, while also ensuring that buildings are designed to provide operational insight and enable effective performance over their lifecycle, supported by a structured research and development framework that ensures innovation is captured and applied in a measurable way. That means being clear about where technology adds value, improving how data is used, and strengthening decision-making from the earliest stages of a project.” The company says its Global Engineering Team will continue to support early-stage technical planning, bid development, and standardisation across projects, with a focus on consistency, efficiency, and long-term performance. For more from Black & White Engineering, click here.

Nokia recognised in data centre switching report

Finnish telecommunications company Nokia has been named a Leader and Outperformer in the 2026 data centre switching Radar Report by GigaOm, marking the fifth consecutive year it has received this recognition. The annual report evaluates data centre switching platforms based on technical capabilities, product development plans, and business criteria. In the 2026 edition, Nokia’s Data Center Fabric is positioned in the Innovation/Platform Play category and classified as an Outperformer. GigaOm assessed 10 vendors in the market, comparing their offerings against a range of operational and technical benchmarks. Nokia’s platform received five-star ratings across all key feature areas reviewed, including hardware, switching and routing functionality, operational management, NetDevOps alignment, and traffic security. Focus on automation and AI-ready networking The report also highlights Nokia’s capabilities in areas such as AI-focused networking features and its microservices-based network operating system architecture. Andrew Green, Analyst at GigaOm, says, “GigaOm’s analysis highlights Nokia’s consistent innovation in data centre switching and its strong feature delivery over the past year. "Its Data Center Fabric stands out for the depth of its hardware and software capabilities and strong support for automation that are designed to address the requirements of modern AI-driven data centre environments.” The recognition reflects broader trends in the data centre sector, where organisations are updating infrastructure to support data-intensive workloads and distributed cloud environments. Michael Bushong, Vice President Data Center at Nokia, comments, “Being named a GigaOM data centre switching Leader and Outperformer for the fifth year in a row is validation of two things: "First, we are doing the hard work of providing highly reliable data centre solutions for cloud, enterprise, and service provider customers tasked with building in this AI era. "And second, we are keeping pace with all the innovation being driven by AI. Openness, automation, scale, and reliability are more than buzzwords; they require constant care and feeding, and this recognition represents that.” Nokia’s Data Center Fabric combines switching platforms, the SR Linux network operating system, and an event-driven automation platform to support automated data centre environments. It is designed to be deployed in both new and existing infrastructure and to integrate with a range of network environments. For more from Nokia, click here.

NetAlly launches LinkRunner AT tester

NetAlly, a manufacturer of portable network testing and analysis tools, has introduced a new handheld network link and cable tester, the LinkRunner AT 1500, expanding its LinkRunner range. The device is designed to validate copper network links and cables, supporting troubleshooting, moves, adds, and changes, as well as fault isolation. It is aimed at network technicians, IT teams, and managed service providers. According to NetAlly, the tester enables users to verify connectivity, link speed, VLAN configuration, and Power over Ethernet (PoE) through a single interface, without requiring a laptop. Test results and screenshots can then be uploaded to Link-Live, the company’s cloud-based reporting and analysis platform. Testing capabilities and deployment use The LinkRunner AT 1500 provides automated testing across multiple aspects of a network link. It can identify cable length, detect wiring faults, and indicate the distance to a fault. The device also identifies the nearest network switch and port, and verifies link speed and duplex up to 10 Gig. Additional functions include VLAN validation, connectivity checks to on-network and external devices, and PoE measurement. The tester can assess voltage, wattage, and active wire pairs to confirm power delivery before device installation. Dan Klimke, Director of Product Marketing at NetAlly, says, “The 1500 brings pro-level testing to frontline techs at just £1,140 MSRP. It draws on our 25-plus years of experience building innovative troubleshooting tools for network engineers and technicians. "The goal is simple: put fast, definitive answers in the hands of the technicians closest to the problem so issues get solved at the source, not escalated up the chain. "With Wi-Fi 7 access points, smart building systems, and modern IoT devices increasingly demanding higher power levels that only PoE++ can deliver, the LinkRunner AT 1500 validates full 90W PoE performance to ensure those devices are fully powered upon deployment.” NetAlly states that its products are available through authorised channel partners. The LinkRunner AT 1500 will be demonstrated at DTX 2026, taking place in the UK at Manchester Central on 29–30 April. Live demonstrations will be available at Stand E94 via its UK partner, Full Control Networks.

Brady: Make sure all tools are present. Always.

Have you ever arrived at an intervention without the necessary equipment? Ever lost tools during field interventions? How much time do you spend to make sure all equipment is accounted for and present in your vehicles? Thanks to Brady, now you can confirm vehicle inventories digitally and automatically, highlight any missing assets, and home in on misplaced items to quickly complete your vehicles. How much time could you save? Everything present Instantly see which tools are present in a vehicle and what is missing. Easily save substantial time per vehicle and intervention with automated equipment inventory checks that take only seconds. By labelling equipment with passive, battery-free UHF RFID labels, we can let an RFID reader in your vehicle detect which tools and items are present. The RFID reader can check detected tools versus a list of expected items to confirm a complete vehicle inventory or to highlight missing equipment on your phone. Be fully equipped before leaving for a field intervention. Avoid losing tools after interventions. Don’t waste time checking visually where every piece of equipment is. Just scan, get confirmation in seconds, and drive to your next destination. Click here to find out more. For more from Brady, click here.

Zayo Europe joins GNM-IX network

GNM, a Dutch internet exchange and backbone operator, has announced that network infrastructure provider Zayo Europe has joined its internet exchange, GNM-IX, expanding interconnection capacity across Europe. GNM-IX connects more than 700 autonomous systems (ASNs) and supports over 10.7 Tbps of peak traffic. The platform provides carrier-neutral traffic exchange across several European markets. By joining, GNM notes that Zayo Europe gains direct access to a broad community of carriers, ISPs, cloud platforms, and content networks. Zayo Europe operates a large fibre network across the region, linking major metropolitan areas and data centres. Its backbone infrastructure integrates with GNM’s dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) network, supporting additional interconnection routes and traffic efficiency. Expanded interconnection across Europe The move builds on an existing working relationship between the two organisations. Following earlier transport collaboration, Zayo Europe’s participation in GNM-IX extends technical integration and increases interconnection options across multiple European routes. Ahmed Eidarous, International Development Manager at GNM, says, “We are pleased to welcome Zayo Europe to GNM-IX. Their extensive fibre infrastructure across major European markets naturally complements our distributed internet exchange built on GNM’s DWDM backbone. "By establishing presence in GNM-IX, Zayo Europe gains direct access to a rapidly growing peering ecosystem while enabling additional interconnection opportunities for networks across our platform.” GNM and Zayo Europe say they will continue to work together on further initiatives focused on connectivity and network resilience across Europe. For more from GNM, click here.

North East Data Centre Hub expands with second event

The North East Data Centre Hub, a not-for-profit forum designed to help shape and propel the future of the data centre sector in the North East of England, will host its second industry event on 23 April 2026 in Newcastle, following its launch earlier this year. The initiative brings together professionals from across the data centre sector, with the upcoming event featuring guest speaker Jimmy Mack, Director of Development at QTS Data Centers. The first event, held in February, attracted more than 100 attendees from across the supply chain, reflecting demand for a regional forum focused on engineering, construction, and digital infrastructure. Building on that response, the second event will take place at Revolución de Cuba in Newcastle, with increased capacity to accommodate further interest. The Hub plans to hold events approximately every two months across the region. The North East Data Centre Hub was established by founding partners RED Engineering Design, Cleveland Cable Company, CMP Products, Durata, Daikin Applied (UK), and RWO Associates. The group says it aims to support regional supply chains and contribute to data centre developments in the UK and internationally. Industry event to focus on collaboration A guest presentation from Jimmy Mack will form part of the April event, with a focus on digital infrastructure development and the role of regional supply chains. As demand for data centre capacity grows, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and wider digital adoption, collaboration across the supply chain is becoming increasingly important. The North East, the Hub notes, has existing engineering capability, infrastructure, and energy resources that support this activity. A spokesperson for the North East Data Centre Hub says, “The response to our launch event showed just how much appetite there is for a dedicated data centre forum in the North East. Bringing together over 100 professionals from across the sector was a clear indication of the region’s strength and potential. We’re delighted to welcome Jimmy Mack from QTS Data Centers as guest speaker for our second event. His insight will add an important global perspective to the conversation, helping to connect regional capability with the wider data centre market. This event is about continuing to build momentum, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and long-term growth across the North East.” The event will combine networking with industry discussion, with future sessions expected to include guest speakers, technical content, and themed discussions aligned with sector priorities. For more from the North East Data Centre Hub, click here.

STL launches 'India's first' hollow core fibre cable

STL, an optical and digital systems company, has introduced a hollow core fibre (HCF) cable in India, designed for data centre networks and high-frequency transmission environments. The development focuses on reducing latency and supporting higher bandwidth demands in modern data centres, hyperscale facilities, and network infrastructure. Unlike conventional optical fibre, which transmits light through a solid glass core, hollow core fibre uses an air-filled core. This allows signals to travel at higher speeds, with STL stating performance improvements of around 46%, alongside reduced latency and signal loss. Noting that it is the first company to develop and manufacture this type of cable in India, STL says it is expanding its optical connectivity portfolio in response to increasing demand from AI-driven and high-performance computing environments. The cable also incorporates a hybrid design intended to support a range of network requirements. This includes hollow core fibre for low-latency transmission, G.654.E fibre for long-distance, low-loss performance, and G.657.A1 fibre to support flexible deployment across different network types. Hybrid design supports varied network needs The hybrid architecture reflects the growing complexity of data centre and telecoms infrastructure, where operators require a mix of performance characteristics within a single cable system. STL reports that the design supports both high-speed data transmission and broader network coverage, particularly in large-scale or distributed environments. The company also states that it holds more than 780 patents and continues to focus on optical technologies aimed at increasing network capacity and efficiency. Badri Gomatam, CTO at STL, says, "Our R&D focus has always been on solving the most complex challenges of the future. With the launch of [this] Hollow Core Fibre cable, we are providing the 'speed-of-light' infrastructure required for the AI revolution. "This is a defining moment that demonstrates our capability to innovate and empower hyperscalers and data centres on a global scale.” For more from STL, click here.