Expanded internet access, 5G networking, IoT devices and other technologies are greatly increasing the volume of data transferred around the world. By 2023, Cisco predicts that the global number of internet users will increase from 4.5 to 5.3 billion people while the number of network-connected devices will rise from 22 to 29.5 billion. 5G networks alone are expected to carry 10,000 times the amount of traffic of current 4G networks with significantly higher speed and lower latency, according to KPMG. To keep up with forecasted demands, the data center of the future must be prepared to handle greater computing, networking and storage needs. However, according to surveys conducted by Forbes Insights, just 11% of C-suite executives and 1% of engineers think their data centers are ahead of the curve and prepared to handle higher volumes of data. In order to create the data center of the future, facility owners and operators must invest in future-facing IT solutions. As new technologies are implemented, load bank testing will play a critical role in ensuring their efficiency and integration. Below we outline the top data center technology that will play a significant role in the data center of the future.
Decentralization Data center bandwidth needs are growing. In recent years, bandwidth and latency issues have become critical due to big data, IoT, cloud and streaming services, and other technology trends. However, many data centers today run on centralized IT infrastructure that remains fixed in place and far from dispersed data sources, slowing down data transmission. To improve processing speeds, data center owners must expand centralized services with an IT fabric of edge data capture and processing. Decentralizing infrastructure through edge computing moves processing and resources away from the central data center and as close to the source of data as possible, improving the efficiency of data transmission and dissemination. Currently, about 10% of data is created and processed outside a centralized data center or cloud, but Gartner predicts that by 2025, this figure will reach 75%.
Data Center Infrastructure Management
Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) tools help monitor, measure, manage and control data center utilization and energy consumption. By providing an aggregation and analysis of metrics for environmental conditions, power consumption, the status of equipment and more, facility owners can improve operational efficiency and identify areas of focus for future scale. For example, using data from DCIM tools, owners can predict how inclusion of new servers will affect temperature and power consumption and the extent to which a facility is equipped to handle spikes in network traffic. DCIM tools simplify data center operations and help streamline the process for making critical changes.
Modular Temperature Control
The average power capacity in a data center is 6 to 8 kW/rack. However, Huawei predicts that a power density of 15 to 20 kW/rack will become the average in data centers by 2025. The only way to accommodate such high-density power generation is with cooling infrastructure that can be scaled up or down depending on the changing capacity needs of the data center. Modular cooling systems are a solution that can be coordinated with IT system additions and installed within an operating data center while the facility remains fully operational and reliable. This provides flexibility so that cooling can quickly be added to a new pod or data hall. Hybrid IT Security Data has become a highly precious asset, one that is increasingly subject to attacks from digital hackers as it is uploaded to public cloud servers. Data centers must provide stringent network security measures that protect data while allowing customers access to flexible and convenient cloud computing. Utilizing a hybrid cloud architecture, facility owners can store sensitive and valuable data in a private network while establishing connections to a public cloud service. Since the data resides in the private network and only travels into the public cloud under heavy encryption, hybrid clouds provide an extra layer of security for businesses.
How to Prepare Your Data Center for the Future
Updating data centers to meet anticipated needs is a mission-critical objective for engineers and executives. IoT, 5G, cloud services and other technologies are increasing worldwide data consumption and facility owners need to be ahead of the curve to maintain a competitive advantage. Data center owners must also maintain their reputation for resiliency while handling higher volumes of data. That’s why every addition of new technology to the data center must be load tested in order to ensure compatibility and reliable operations. Load bank testing is an accurate and cost-effective solution for helping to build the data center of the future. Load banks allow operators to test all system components in an efficient and timely manner, ensuring validation before launching new technology additions. With fully controllable testing parameters, facility owners can mimic real-life testing scenarios to accurately energize their system, demonstrating how new technology impacts operational performance and identifying potential issues before they result in mechanical failures. At Comrent, our load bank experts have a deep knowledge of the data center market achieved from completing more than 430,000 load bank tests around the world. With advanced remote technology, our technicians can control and monitor up to 250 load banks at once, speeding up the testing process without compromising on accuracy. Our extensive inventory of data center-specific load testing solutions allows you to access the equipment you need, when and where you need it, resulting in efficient and accurate testing. To learn more about load bank testing or to schedule a complimentary consultation for your data center needs, get in touch with Comrent today.
