Today, data centers contain thousands of computer servers that generate lots of heat, which can cause servers to crash. A Microsoft prototype could reduce the need for expensive air-conditioning systems with a data center built hundreds of feet below the surface of the ocean.   Microsoft has tested a prototype of a self-contained data center that canRead More

A consortium is collaborating to define double-density QSFP modules through a multi-source agreement.   The QSFP-DD Multi Source Agreement (MSA) Group recently announced plans to develop high-speed, double-density quad small-form-factor pluggable (QSFP-DD) interfaces. The primary objective of the MSA group is to define the specifications and promote industry adoption of the QSFP-DD. “Establishment of thisRead More

As networks are required to move more data faster than ever before, Bishop & Associates’ Lisa Huff looks at the current state of data center networking and makes her forecast for the future.   Ethernet dwarfs other networking technologies in the data center market with 10G, 25G, 40G, and 100G data rates currently being used,Read More

The increasing complexity of and demands on networks may be solved with USB technology, but to simplify installations, be sure to follow these 10 rules.   As an industrial, medical, laboratory, or field services interface, USB has many benefits that outweigh the risks. However, you can reduce your odds of disaster with simple fixes – likeRead More

Now that 100G networking equipment is being deployed in both local and wide area networks, it is time to seriously consider what lies beyond.   There are many research and development projects currently underway to answer the question of how high data rates will go, as well as what they will require of the hardware that makes them possible. TheRead More

While not yet pervasive in all sectors, fiber optic connectors are present and growing in all market sectors. In this excerpt from a recent Bishop & Associates market report, we look at the effects they’ve had on data center networks and what is still to come.   Ever since Bell Laboratories developed the first glassRead More

In a recent interview with John MacWilliams, the connector industry veteran shared his best guesses on technology and its effects on the workplace of 2045.   In 2045, your work day will begin in your home office. You may still have a dedicated corporate office space to work and meet in, but the majority of your workRead More

400G, 100G, 50G, 25G, 10G, 5G, 2.5G, 1G: What combination of data rates is right for your LAN? †   Ethernet has dominated data communications for a very long time. In the next few years, we do not expect this to change but, in fact, to proliferate. Today and in the near future, there willRead More

The physics associated with electronic signaling may point to the need for a more holistic system approach to higher performance.     At the beginning of the electronics era, the biggest challenge circuit engineers faced was designing low-resistance links between components. Very-early electronic systems often used discrete wire to make these connections, a process that wasRead More

The FCI PwrMAX Ortho power connectors are designed for orthogonal system packaging architectures. FCI expanded its power connector family to include the PwrMAX Ortho power connectors, which are designed to support orthogonal system packaging architectures in data center equipment. This architecture can offer improved data transfer and improved system cooling by eliminating midplane circuit boards. PwrMAX Ortho power connectors can beRead More

40-gigabit applications over various media types are intended to reduce bottlenecks by providing improved speed within and between data centers.     The exponential growth of Internet and mobile device data traffic has had a huge impact on data center servers, high-performance computing clusters, and network storage equipment that serve and manage this traffic. 40-gigabit applicationsRead More

The need for increased bandwidth in telecommunications networks has given rise to many new innovations. What does the future hold for the WAN?     With traditional telecom service providers’ revenue finally growing again, so are their capital expenditures – both at about 5% annual growth rates. However, bandwidth demands are growing at anywhere fromRead More