NEWS IN BRIEF
11
Nexans simplifies
data centre network
monitoring and
scale-up
Embarking on the next quest for
data centre efficiency
More servers, more CPU power… this is
no longer the solution for boosting data
centre performance, according to those
in the know. Now with the deceleration
of Moore’s Law and the drive for
domain-specific processors and edge
computing, there is a growing focus on
powerful solutions to optimise network
efficiency.
A research report, conducted by
Futuriom, spanning medium to large
enterprises across China, the USA and
UK provides a detailed analysis of
how today’s data centre professionals
are addressing the challenge of
supporting high-power applications
such as artificial intelligence and big
data analytics across public, private
and hybrid clouds. The study reveals
a high interest in software-defined
virtualisation and network optimisation
strategies. It shows that processor
offload and SmartNICs are now the
favoured solutions for improving data
centre performance – while deploying
more servers is least favoured. Above
all, it concludes that the network, a key
engine of performance to the cloud,
needs specific adaptations to keep up
with data centres that have ambitions
to be cloud-scale.
Other findings include: the
recognition that network optimisation
technologies are a key way to improve
DC performance; potential benefits
in upgrading the network include
faster application performance (64%),
stronger security (59%), greater
flexibility (57%), and application
reliability (57%); and that 84%
of respondents thought network
infrastructure was either ‘very
important’ or ‘important’ to delivering
artificial intelligence and machine
learning. Highly efficient utilisation
of servers and storage topped the list
when asked which aspect of hyper-
scale cloud operations they would
most like to emulate. The next tier of
results included the use of flexible,
converged 25/50/100Gb Ethernet
networking for everything (19%),
automated infrastructure deployment,
management and monitoring (17%),
and simplified resource provisioning,
reporting and billing (15%).
The US, UK and China were selected
in order to garner a diverse global
outlook from three regions where
data-centre infrastructure is being
deployed most aggressively, and
the report includes both aggregated
data from these geographic regions
and broken down results where
appropriate. The report also provides
further detail on the biggest perceived
challenges around virtualization and
containers; on developments in data
centre storage strategy; on the future
of Moore’s Law and its strategic
relevance for data centre strategy; on
developing network requirements for
data centres; and key technologies
to watch, including hyperconverged
infrastructure, domain-specific
processors and application code
efficiency. The full report is available to
download here: bit.ly/2IooSRH n
NETWORKS
EUROPE
The magazine for network and data centre professionals
As new trends such as 5G and edge computing
put more strain on data centres, the race for ef-
ficiency, reliability and scalability continues. To
help data centres effectively address their phys-
ical layer-related challenges, Nexans launches
new cutting-edge solutions. The new solutions
presented by the Group include LANsense AIM
software for network monitoring, LANmark EN-
SPACE high-density fibre solution and Slimflex
Cat. 6A high-density copper solution.
LANsense monitors manage and optimise
network capacity remotely and more efficiently.
Data Centre managers can trace circuits end-to-
end, flag disconnects, find available rack space
and make sure redundant and load balancing
circuits are connected.
In a modern data centre, there is limited
space for passive cabling. LANmark ENSPACE
solution increases the number of connections in
1U by 50%. ENSPACE panels come with three
individual sliding trays per ‘U’ allowing 144 LC
connections in 1U and up to 576 connections
in a 4U.
Nexans’ Slimflex Category 6A solution saves
up to 50% space in data centre installations.
This new copper range consists of a 48-port
panel, Slimflex cords and Cat 6A connectors.
Once installed the result is a neat and cleaned
up high-density installation.
In addition to its data transmission technol-
ogy, Nexans will showcase its flagship TITANEX
power cables. For more than 50 years the
TITANEX cable range has been recognized as
the industry-leading solution for all mobile and
fixed installations in industrial environments,
including data centres.
The power cable is highly robust but flexible
enough to cope with the restrictions of a data
centre. It withstands high operating tempera-
tures up to 90°C and has excellent mechanical
resistance to impacts. TITANEX is easy to work
with, even in large cross-sections. The cable can
comprise up to 36 cores, with 1 to 630 mm²
cross-section. n
If you have any news please
email James Abbott
[email protected]
www.networkseuropemagazine.com