The Data Center Frontier Show

• Beyond the Wires — Packet Power & the Future of Data Center Monitoring

  In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, we explore how Packet Power is transforming data center monitoring. As the demand for energy efficiency and operational transparency grows, organizations need solutions that provide real-time insights without adding complexity. Packet Power’s wireless, scalable, and secure technology offers an easy, streamlined approach to power and environmental monitoring. Monitoring Made Easy® Traditional monitoring solutions can be difficult to install, configure, and scale. Packet Power’s wireless, out-of-band technology removes these hurdles, offering a plug-and-play system that allows organizations to start with a few monitoring nodes and expand as needed. With built-in fleet management, remote diagnostics, and broad compatibility with existing systems, Packet Power helps data centers gain visibility into their power and environmental conditions with minimal effort. Fast, Flexible Deployment Deploying monitoring solutions can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, particularly in large-scale facilities. Many systems require extensive cabling, specialized personnel, and lengthy configuration processes. Packet Power eliminates these roadblocks by offering a vendor-agnostic, rapidly deployable system that works seamlessly with existing infrastructure. Designed and manufactured in the USA, Packet Power products ship in just 2-3 weeks, avoiding the delays often associated with global supply chain issues and ensuring data centers can implement monitoring solutions without unnecessary downtime. Security Built from the Ground Up Security is a critical concern in mission-critical environments. Unlike traditional monitoring solutions that focus primarily on encryption, Packet Power integrates security at every level—from hardware to networking and software. Their read-only architecture ensures that failed hardware won’t disrupt power delivery, while out-of-band monitoring prevents exposure to network vulnerabilities. One-way communication protocols and optional physical data isolation further enhance security, ensuring that critical infrastructure remains protected from cyber threats and misconfigurations. Adapting to Industry Changes The data center landscape is rapidly evolving, with increasing demands for efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability. Packet Power’s solutions are designed to keep pace with these changes, offering a non-intrusive way to enhance monitoring capabilities without modifying existing infrastructure. Their technology is easily embedded into power and cooling systems, enabling organizations to implement real-time monitoring across a wide range of devices while maintaining operational agility. Why Wireless Wins Traditional wired monitoring solutions often require extensive installation efforts and ongoing maintenance, while common consumer wireless options—such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee—are not designed for industrial environments. These protocols pose security risks and struggle in settings with high electromagnetic interference. Packet Power’s proprietary wireless system is optimized for reliability in data centers, eliminating IP-based vulnerabilities while supporting secure, large-scale deployments. Cost Savings & Efficiency Monitoring solutions should provide a return on investment, not create additional overhead. Packet Power reduces costs by minimizing IT infrastructure needs, eliminating the expense of network switches, dedicated cabling, and IP address management. Their wireless monitoring approach streamlines deployment, allowing organizations to instantly gain actionable insights into their energy usage and environmental conditions. This improves cost allocation, supports sustainability initiatives, and enhances operational efficiency. Versatile Applications Energy monitoring is crucial across multiple aspects of data center management. Packet Power’s solutions support a wide range of applications, including tracking energy use in busways, HVAC systems, generators, switchgear, tenant submeters, and selective circuits. Organizations use their data for billing, cost allocation, efficiency optimization, and failure detection. By providing real-time insights into power consumption and environmental conditions, Packet Power helps data centers maintain reliability, compliance, and cost-effectiveness. The Power of EMX Software & 3D Visualization Collecting data is only part of the equation—turning that data into actionable insights is equally important. Packet Power’s EMX Software integrates seamlessly with existing DCIM and BMS platforms, offering real-time alerts, custom reporting, and a brand new 3D Layout Viewer for enhanced visualization. These tools help facility managers and operators make informed decisions, ensuring optimal performance and risk mitigation. Conclusion In an industry where efficiency, security, and flexibility are paramount, Packet Power provides a modern approach to data center monitoring. Their wireless, scalable, and vendor-agnostic solutions simplify installation, reduce costs, and deliver real-time insights into critical infrastructure. As data centers continue to evolve, Packet Power’s innovative technology ensures organizations can adapt quickly and operate more effectively without the burden of complex monitoring systems. To learn more, visit PacketPower.com or email [email protected] for a free consultation.

  --------  

  39:42
• Vaire Computing Bets on Reversible Logic for 'Near Zero Energy' AI Data Centers

  The AI revolution is charging ahead—but powering it shouldn't cost us the planet. That tension lies at the heart of Vaire Computing’s bold proposition: rethinking the very logic that underpins silicon to make chips radically more energy efficient. Speaking on the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, Vaire CEO Rodolfo Rossini laid out a compelling case for why the next era of compute won't just be about scaling transistors—but reinventing the way they work. “Moore's Law is coming to an end, at least for classical CMOS,” Rossini said. “There are a number of potential architectures out there—quantum and photonics are the most well known. Our bet is that the future will look a lot like existing CMOS, but the logic will look very, very, very different.” That bet is reversible computing—a largely untapped architecture that promises major gains in energy efficiency by recovering energy lost during computation. Product, Not IP Unlike some chip startups focused on licensing intellectual property, Vaire is playing to win with full-stack product development. “Right now we’re not really planning to license. We really want to build product,” Rossini emphasized. “It’s very important today, especially from the point of view of the customer. It’s not just the hardware—it’s the hardware and software.” Rossini points to Nvidia’s CUDA ecosystem as the gold standard for integrated hardware/software development. “The reason why Nvidia is so great is because they spent a decade perfecting their CUDA stack,” he said. “You can’t really think of a chip company being purely a hardware company anymore. Better hardware is the ticket to the ball—and the software is how you get to dance.” A great metaphor for a company aiming to rewrite the playbook on compute logic. The Long Game: Reimagining Chips Without Breaking the System In an industry where even incremental change can take years to implement, Vaire Computing is taking a pragmatic approach to a deeply ambitious goal: reimagining chip architecture through reversible computing — but without forcing the rest of the computing stack to start over. “We call it the Near-Zero Energy Chip,” said Rossini. “And by that we mean a chip that operates at the lowest possible energy point compared to classical chips—one that dissipates the least amount of energy, and where you can reuse the software and the manufacturing supply chain.” That last point is crucial. Vaire isn’t trying to uproot the hyperscale data center ecosystem — it's aiming to integrate into it. The company’s XPU architecture is designed to deliver breakthrough efficiency while remaining compatible with existing tooling, manufacturing processes, and software paradigms.

  --------  

  31:00
• Key Data Center Infrastructure Imperatives for Harnessing AI with Vertiv’s Tony DeSpirito

  In this episode of the Data Center Frontier Show podcast, Matt Vincent, Editor-in-Chief of Data Center Frontier, talks to Tony DeSpirito, vice president of enterprise sales at Vertiv, about AI densification and how data centers can prepare for ever-growing rack power demands. They also explore cooling and physical infrastructure conundrums, and Vertiv’s AI roadshow.

  --------  

  20:48
• Nomads at the Frontier: AI, Infrastructure, and Data Center Workforce Evolution at DCD New York

  The 25th anniversary of the latest Data Center Dynamics event in New York City last month (DCD Connect NY 2025) brought record-breaking attendance, underscoring the accelerating pace of change in the digital infrastructure sector. At the heart of the discussions were evolving AI workloads, power and cooling challenges, and the crucial role of workforce development. Welcoming Data Center Frontier at their show booth were Phill Lawson-Shanks of Aligned Data Centers and Phillip Koblence of NYI, who are respectively managing director and co-founder of the Nomad Futurist Foundation. Our conversation spanned the pressing issues shaping the industry, from the feasibility of AI factories to the importance of community-driven talent pipelines. The 25th anniversary of the latest Data Center Dynamics event in New York City last month (DCD Connect NY 2025) brought record-breaking attendance, underscoring the accelerating pace of change in the digital infrastructure sector. At the heart of the discussions were evolving AI workloads, power and cooling challenges, and the crucial role of workforce development. Welcoming Data Center Frontier at their show booth were Phill Lawson-Shanks of Aligned Data Centers and Phillip Koblence of NYI, who are respectively managing director and co-founder of the Nomad Futurist Foundation. Our conversation spanned the pressing issues shaping the industry, from the feasibility of AI factories to the importance of community-driven talent pipelines.

  --------  

  20:36
• iMasons CEO Santiago Suinaga on the Future of Sustainable AI Data Centers

  For this episode of the DCF Show podcast, host Matt Vincent, Editor in Chief of Data Center Frontier, is joined by Santiago Suinaga, CEO of Infrastructure Masons (iMasons), to explore the urgent challenges of scaling data center construction while maintaining sustainability commitments, among other pertinent industry topics. The AI Race and Responsible Construction "Balancing scale and sustainability is key because the AI race is real," Suinaga emphasizes. "Forecasted capacities have skyrocketed to meet AI demand. Hyperscale end users and data center developers are deploying high volumes to secure capacity in an increasingly constrained global market." This surge in demand pressures the industry to build faster than ever before. Yet, as Suinaga notes, speed and sustainability must go hand in hand. "The industry must embrace a build fast, build smart mentality. Leveraging digital twin technology, AI-driven design optimization, and circular economy principles is critical." Sustainability, he argues, should be embedded at every stage of new builds, from integrating low-carbon materials to optimizing energy efficiency from the outset. "We can't afford to compromise sustainability for speed. Instead, we must integrate renewable energy sources and partner with local governments, utilities, and energy providers to accelerate responsible construction." A key example of this thinking is peak shaving—using redundant infrastructure and idle capacities to power the grid when data center demand is low. "99.99% of the time, this excess capacity can support local communities, while ensuring the data center retains prioritized energy supply when needed." Addressing Embodied Carbon and Supply Chain Accountability Decarbonization is a cornerstone of iMasons' efforts, particularly through the iMasons Climate Accord. Suinaga highlights the importance of tackling embodied carbon—the emissions embedded in data center construction materials and IT hardware. "We need standardized reporting metrics and supplier accountability to drive meaningful change," he says. "Greater transparency across the supply chain can be achieved through carbon labeling of materials and stricter procurement policies." To mitigate embodied emissions, companies should prioritize suppliers with validated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and invest in low-carbon alternatives like green concrete and recycled steel. "Collaboration across the industry will be essential to drive policy incentives for greener supply chains," Suinaga asserts. The Role of Modular and Prefabricated Builds As the industry seeks more efficient construction methods, modular and prefabricated builds are emerging as game changers. "They significantly reduce construction waste, improve quality control, and shorten deployment times," Suinaga explains. "By shifting a large portion of the build process to controlled environments, we can improve worker safety and optimize material usage. Companies leveraging prefabrication will gain a competitive edge in both cost savings and sustainability." Modular construction also presents financial advantages. "It allows for deferred CapEx investments, creating attractive internal rates of return (IRRs) for investors while reducing the risk of oversupply by aligning capacity with demand," Suinaga notes. However, he acknowledges that the approach has challenges, including potential supply chain constraints and quick time-to-market pressures during demand spikes. "Maintaining a recurrent production cycle and closely monitoring market conditions are key to ensuring capacity planning aligns with real-time needs." Innovation in Cooling and Water Use With AI workloads driving increasing power densities, the industry is rapidly shifting toward liquid cooling, immersion cooling, and heat reuse strategies. "We’re seeing innovations in direct-to-chip cooling and closed-loop water systems that significantly reduce water consumption," Suinaga says. "Some data centers are capturing and repurposing waste heat to provide energy to nearby facilities—an approach that needs to be scaled." Immersion cooling, he adds, offers the potential to shrink data center footprints and dramatically improve Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE). "A hybrid approach combining air and liquid cooling is key," Suinaga explains. "There’s still uncertainty around the right mix of technologies, as hyperscalers need to support not just AI but also continued cloud growth. Flexibility in cooling design is now essential to accommodate a diverse range of workloads." Regulatory Pressures and the Future of Sustainability Standards Regulatory frameworks such as the SEC’s climate disclosure rules and Europe’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) are pushing data center operators toward greater transparency. Suinaga believes these measures will enforce more accurate sustainability reporting and drive greener investment decisions. "This will push data center operators to adopt more energy-efficient designs early in the planning phase and, in the long term, standardize carbon reporting and create incentives for sustainable practices," he explains. He also highlights the role of investors and publicly traded companies in enforcing stricter climate reporting requirements across their portfolios. "At iMasons, we are refining existing reporting benchmarks and frameworks to provide the industry with a holistic view of best practices. This is an area where we aim to support data center operators with an analytical approach." The Road to Net Zero: Overcoming Challenges Despite ambitious net zero goals, execution remains a significant challenge. "The biggest roadblock to net zero is the availability of truly carbon-free energy and materials at scale," Suinaga states. Achieving net zero requires substantial investment in renewable infrastructure, grid connectivity improvements, and energy storage innovation. To accelerate progress, he emphasizes the importance of adopting circular economy practices, advocating for renewable energy policy support, and investing in next-generation cooling and power technologies. "The demand from AI is outpacing current power infrastructure and renewable options. While some net zero commitments may be delayed, investing in new technologies and clean energy solutions will ultimately put us back on the path to net zero." Workforce Development and Addressing the Talent Shortage The digital infrastructure industry has long faced a talent shortage, which has only become more urgent as demand increases. To help address this challenge, iMasons has launched a new job-matching platform. "It’s designed to bridge the talent gap by connecting skilled professionals with opportunities in digital infrastructure," Suinaga explains. "For job seekers, it’s free to use, providing a streamlined way to match with job listings based on skills, experience, and location." For employers, iMasons partners gain access to the platform to find vetted candidates efficiently. "At the pace this industry is growing, the current workforce isn’t enough—we need to bring in talent from other industries and create new career pathways. Digital infrastructure is recession-proof and offers tremendous opportunities for growth." Industry Partnerships Driving Innovation iMasons has been expanding its partnerships, adding 15 new partners in recent months. "We've welcomed companies from various backgrounds, including AI-driven construction management firms, energy-related companies, and cooling solution providers," Suinaga shares. "iMasons is a hub for industry collaboration, helping to drive innovation across the entire digital infrastructure ecosystem. Our mission is simple: to ensure the industry thrives." Looking Ahead As AI accelerates the demand for digital infrastructure, the industry must embrace innovative, responsible strategies to balance scale with sustainability. iMasons, alongside major players in the sector, is committed to ensuring the next generation of data centers are not just fast to deploy but also environmentally responsible.

  --------  

  24:47

More Technology podcasts

Trending Technology podcasts

About The Data Center Frontier Show

The Data Center Frontier Show: Podcasts in Family