In the past, data centres were primarily located in areas that could guarantee low latency, ensuring that data could be transferred quickly and efficiently between users and servers. Low latency has always been crucial, especially for industries that rely on real-time data processing such as finance, gaming and telecommunications.

However, the data centre sector is experiencing a significant shift in priorities, with reliable power now a major focus. This shift is prompting a re-evaluation of locations that were once considered unsuitable due to their distance from end-users. Now, if a site can offer a stable and resilient power supply, it becomes a more attractive option for data centre placement.

This reflects the broader challenges faced by the industry including the pressure to reduce carbon footprints, manage energy costs and ensure uninterrupted service. To find out whether the reliable supply of power is now the number one consideration when it comes to choosing the geographical location of a data centre, Inside_Networks has assembled a panel of experts to examine this subject and explore how power reliability compares with other factors such as latency, connectivity, scalability and regulatory considerations.

Enclosures, racks and cabinets are often the unsung heroes of enterprise and data centre network infrastructures and in this issue we celebrate their vital and immense contribution with two excellent articles. Jon Barker of Chatsworth Products (CPI) looks at the impact artificial intelligence (AI) is having on rack densities in data centres, while Carsten Ludwig of R&M explains the need to build intelligence into data centre network infrastructure through racks and cabinets that are equipped with advanced monitoring and management capabilities.

We also have a special feature dedicated to converged network infrastructures. Rob Kelly of Sudlows identifies what needs to be considered when designing and deploying them, Aginode’s Rachid Ait Ben Ali explains how to build and manage converged networks the smart way and Chris Dyke of Allied Telesis examines the benefits of deploying these systems.

Rob Shepherd
Editor