Optimizing Data Center Infrastructure for the Present and the Future
The Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH) is one of the top healthcare research institutes in Luxembourg. To continue its pioneering work that could save lives in the years to come, LIH aimed to expand its IT infrastructure. “Redundancy” was the keyword, and strong partnerships were deemed essential.
LIH’s mission is to have a direct and significant impact on public health through the application of knowledge and technology derived from qualitative research. Aiming to expand its IT infrastructure, LIH issued a public tender in 2021 to build a new data center.
Solutions
Integrator Conostix selected Panduit to meet all requirements, with Rexel coordinating logistics. LIH selected Panduit advanced technology to meet their needs. Here are the key components they used:
· HD Flex™ Fiber Cabling System
· QuickNet™ Fiber Connectivity
· Intelligent Power Distribution Units (iPDUs)
AI and ML Demand Significant Data Capacity
LIH focuses its efforts across six sites in Luxembourg on two key areas: cancer and immune disorders.
John-Yves Bertrand, IT Infrastructure Team Leader at LIH, explains, “Advancements in medical research are now driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). This means our 470 staff members and researchers must securely store and process vast amounts of data. Our existing data infrastructure was reaching its limits, given that volumes are set to increase.”
Scalability is at the Top of the List
To preempt issues, LIH issued a public tender in 2021 to build a new data center infrastructure. At the top of LIH’s list of requirements was scalability.
“Research is ever-evolving, says Bertrand. “We wanted an infrastructure we could reconfigure as needed, ensuring a future-proof solution.” The second item on the agenda was finding a redundant and reliable operation. Under no circumstances should these systems fail because they are driving real-time research and handling sensitive information. In addition, the energy efficiency of what was being built was an important point of attention.
Panduit Cooling, Copper, and Fiber Connectivity Make the Difference
The technology that best met LIH’s needs was clear for data security specialist Conostix.
Business & Sales Development Manager Jean-Marc Servais explains, “Only with Panduit cabinets could we build a solution to the customer’s specifications. This was achieved through Cold Aisle Containment technology for efficient cooling and pre-assembled data cabling in copper (QuickNet) and fiber optic (HD Flex). The infrastructure is duplicated across two identical halls. To handle massive data volumes, we trust Panduit for the right connectivity.”
Four Hundred Servers Pave the Way for Flexibility
The numbers are staggering if you’re not familiar with medical research. The four hundred servers in the two halls account for a storage capacity of 2.5 petabytes and 15 terabytes of RAM. Using Panduit technology, Conostix built a total of 12 cabinets.
Future-Proofed and Ready to Build Upon
The project ended with a very satisfied customer and the approval to build out LIH’s second hall.
John-Yves Bertrand, IT Infrastructure Team Leader for LIH explained, “We are now fully prepared for the future. Our new data infrastructure is built in such a way that we will be able to use it for as long as possible, even if our needs change along the way. We had set the bar really high in that respect. But by joining forces, Panduit, Conostix, and Rexel have succeeded with flying colors.”
