The data centre industry is poised for a transformative shift as experts predict a move away from copper wiring towards optical technology. Chris Sharp, chief technology officer at Digital Reality, suggests that while copper won’t run out, its role in data centres will diminish significantly. This pivot is due to the growing preference for photonics, which uses light instead of electrical signals to transmit data.
Transitioning to Photonics
Traditional data centres utilise significant amounts of copper in their infrastructure. A typical 100MW facility incorporates approximately 400 tonnes of copper, with 70 tonnes utilised by computer servers and 20 tonnes for network wiring. However, the intricate network of copper wires is becoming a bottleneck in data processing efficiency, according to Sharp.
Photonics, which uses light rather than electrons, offers a promising alternative. It’s a technology long used in long-distance communications but is now being explored for internal data centre operations. The adoption of photonics would not only enhance energy efficiency by reducing heat production but also increase data capacity through multiplexing, as highlighted by Callum Littlejohns of Cornerstone Labs.
Photonics: From Concept to Implementation
While academic and commercial research into photonics has faced manufacturing hurdles, Peter O’Brien from Ireland’s Tyndall Research Institute believes the technology is ready for broader application. Industry support, such as that from Nvidia, is propelling this transition, although it requires navigating new engineering and supply chain landscapes, as noted by Andrew Wheeler from Hewlett Packard Labs.
Photonics components face challenges such as sensitivity to heat within data centres, where cooling remains an issue. Moreover, installing and maintaining optical networks demands new skills from network designers and installers. Sharp points out that fibre optic cables require careful handling regarding the configuration of turns.
Future Prospects and Challenges
Ofer Shapiro, CEO of Resolight.ai, envisions a future where optical switches replace electronic ones in data centres, maintaining data in the optical domain for enhanced energy savings. However, achieving this future depends on scaling up photonics manufacturing and integrating it with existing infrastructures.
Interestingly, photonics components are larger than silicon ones, enabling the use of older silicon manufacturing equipment, which can help reduce costs. Institutions like Cornerstone Labs repurpose tools from past technologies, such as Intel’s Pentium 4 chip production lines, to accommodate photonics components manufacturing.
The transition to photonic technology not only promises energy efficiency but also lays the foundation for versatile applications, leveraging lessons from the electronics manufacturing sector to make photonics more viable on a large scale.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.