THOMAS RITZ & ANDREAS RÜ SSELER HD INFRASTRUCTURE
IN SHORT… As demand for bandwidth, data storage and processing grows exponentially, largely due to the proliferation of digitisation, organisations need to offer more connections, scalability, and flexibility while keeping in control of network management and cost. HD solutions increase connections, scalability, and flexibility in the same physical space. That makes it possible to grow perfectly in sync with data and processing demands without expanding the physical footprint or complexity of cable management. Increased density also offers greater scalability. Operators can more easily and cost-effectively accommodate varying needs of different clients and applications. Looking specifically at PoPs, high- density equipment maximises use of available space by allowing more fibre terminations, network switches, and other essential components to be housed in the same footprint. PoPs can now handle more connections and services without physical expansion. As the number of subscribers grows, traditional equipment may struggle to scale efficiently, leading to performance bottlenecks. What’s more, HD solutions often have advanced cable and port management systems designed in. This reduces clutter, improves airflow, and makes it easier to trace and manage connections, simplifying maintenance and troubleshooting. By also addressing power consumption, heat dissipation, operational costs, upgrades, and network performance, HD equipment significantly enhances PoP efficiency and effectiveness leading to more robust and scalable network infrastructure that can meet growing demands.
rapidly. HD provides the flexibility to expand capacity without extensive physical changes and supports advanced management features, allowing for more efficient resource allocation and load balancing. Hyperscale DCs are enormous, so any opportunity for saving on operational and maintenance costs, or cut emissions, immediately benefits from huge economies of scale. Consolidating equipment into fewer racks can lower costs associated with physical infrastructure, such as racks, cabling, and networking components, while improved energy-efficiency can reduce emissions - and expense - in large DCs. By maximising use of existing space, mid-sized DCs can defer or avoid expansions or the need to move to larger facilities. HD equipment allows more servers, storage, and networking components to be housed in the same physical footprint - crucial for DCs with limited space compared to hyperscale facilities. Many HD solutions come with management software that provides detailed insights into system performance, health, and resource utilisation, supporting proactive maintenance and optimisation. New HD equipment also helps mid-sized DCs keep up with larger or more ‘niche’ competitors, offering more competitive and comprehensive services, higher availability, improved performance, and faster provisioning. Some mid-sized DCs may need to invest in upgrading monitoring, cooling, or power systems to support high-density deployments. However, optimized versions of such features are often pre-integrated in higher density racks. Getting more connections in the same space is crucial to EDGE data centres that are often very small and located in hard-to-reach environments. These require low latency and high performance due to their proximity to end-users. HD solutions’ ability to handle high data throughput efficiently achieves exactly these goals while enabling faster access to large datasets, which is critical for applications typically supported by EDGE facilities, such as video streaming, gaming, and real-time data analysis. The improved latency and performance centres contribute to a better overall user experience, which is key for consumer- facing applications. HD also ensures EDGE DCs can process more data locally, reducing the need to send large volumes of data back to centralised DCs. That means higher Quality of Service for users, and faster, and more reliable access to applications and services.
In DCs, HD addresses common issues while enhancing overall efficiency, performance, and sustainability. The option to scale vertically within existing space provides a more straightforward
path to increase capacity and performance as demand grows.
Packing more compute, storage, and networking capacity into a smaller or identical footprint maximises use of available space, delaying or eliminating physical expansion, while enabling robust failover and backup systems. It can reduce overall power consumption, cooling requirements, and energy costs. Consolidating resources also simplifies infrastructure, making it easier to manage, monitor, and maintain. There are a few considerations to be addressed, though. Staff may need training to manage and maintain HD equipment, and the existing network infrastructure may require upgrades, which requires specific knowledge of (legacy) standards, platforms, and devices. You’ll also need to plan the layout to maximise space usage while ensuring the easiest access for maintenance and troubleshooting, and implement a robust system for monitoring, labelling, and documenting everything with 100% accuracy in real-time. More connections also necessitate advanced network management tools and practices, as well as enhanced security measures. Although HD may require a greater initial outlay, TCO is reduced through optimised infrastructure and operational costs and savings in time, effort, real estate, and energy consumption. And of course, you need to invest in high-quality, low- maintenance cabling and racks from reputable manufacturers to ensure reliability and longevity.
Dipl.Ing. Thomas H. Ritz MBA, Market Manager Public Networks,
Andreas Rü sseler CMO, R&M
www.opticalconnectionsnews.com
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ISSUE 38 | Q3 2024
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