Emerging IoT and IIoT technologies, like self-driving cars, virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), AI, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, and advanced data analytics require faster transmission speeds and low-latency communication between servers and switches at the edge of the network. As modern hyperconverged data center environments look to support these emerging technologies, switch-to-server connections cannot be a weak link in the chain.

Migration strategies for switch-to-server connections that were once projected to advance from 10 Gbps to 40 Gbps have now evolved due to innovations in switching technology. To minimize latency and bottlenecks, data centers have also shifted away from a traditional three-tier architecture to a more efficient, full-mesh leaf-spine fabric architecture. When it comes to switch-to-server connections, these technology trends indicate that fiber optic structured cabling with an “all-to-all” cross connect scenario may ultimately make the most sense for modern data centers. Data center managers embarking on modernization projects to support high-speed, low-latency performance would therefore be wise to keep their eyes on the evolving landscape and timeless benefits of structured cabling.