Data center interconnect (DCI) solutions
Enable scale-across networks to unlock greater potential from AI applications
Overview
Data center interconnect is the physical fiber-optic infrastructure that can enable scale-across architecture for data centers, particularly AI data centers, that want to expand capacity beyond the limits presented by any one physical location.
What is DCI?
In the context of AI factories, DCI is used to link discrete data center installations where capacity must grow beyond what is possible from any single location due to limited access to resources, such as space or power availability. DCI enables multiple sites to distribute and process AI workloads together, as if all assets were in one location.
What is a scale-across network?
Scale-across network architecture is the strategic model for linking data centers through DCI infrastructure. Unlike scale-up networks (raising capacity within racks) and scale-out networks (adding more racks to the same site), scale-across extends fiber connectivity beyond the AI data center itself.
Is DCI a new idea?
DCI is not a new concept, as the physical fiber infrastructure linking data centers across distances has been used to link networks across a campus, a city, or in the case of broadband networks, across vast regions. The adoption of the practice by AI factories has made DCI an important tool in the pursuit of better economics.
What technologies enable DCI?
Efficient DCI relies on high-performance fiber connectivity and reliable, well-managed transitions between inside plant (ISP) and outside plant (OSP) environments, as well as solutions that make it easier to manage the large amount of fiber entering and leaving the AI data center.
The CommScope DCI Guide
Featured products
CommScope offers a range of DCI-enabling solutions that can help your AI data center leverage the advantages of scale-across network architecture, reliably and efficiently.
Fiber entrance cabinets
Robust and compact, CommScope’s broad range of fiber entrance solutions deliver the density, flexibility and accessibility required to manage the high fiber counts that DCI demands.
Fiber distribution and optical cross-connection solutions
Flexibly integrating fiber splicing, termination and connection, CommScope’s portfolio of ODF and Propel XFrame® solutions connect equipment within a facility as well as external DCI connections.
Fiber raceway solutions
For more than 30 years, CommScope FiberGuide® fiber raceway solution has been trusted for its robust, streamlined fiber cable management, ideal for high-fiber count DCI applications.
High-fiber count rollable ribbon
From the outside plant to building entrance and DCI switching racks, these singlemode fiber solutions fully exploit the space-saving footprint of rollable ribbon fiber
Comprehensive OSP fiber connectivity
CommScope's Broadband portfolio offers an end-to-end ecosystem of fiber cabinets, hubs, pedestals, splice closures, drop cables and our Prodigy® line of hardened terminals and cable assemblies.
High-density modules, panels and cables
CommScope’s broad portfolio of ultra-low loss 19-in rack Propel® fiber infrastructure includes modules, panels, preterminated cords and trunks designed for the high-density environments found in DCI interconnections.
Featured resources
Spotlight: Propel XFrame®
The innovative solution brings a new level of open access and organization to optical distribution frames that make up part of DCI infrastructure.
Article: Data Center Interconnect Enables AI Data Centers to Scale Across
The structure, application and business case behind scale-across networks and the DCI hardware that enables them.
FiberGuide® optical raceway solutions ordering Guide (Europe)
For decades, FiberGuide raceway has been protecting and organizing the growing mass of fiber in data centers, making it ideal for DCI applications.
Wherever you operate, CommScope delivers solutions and expertise
CommScope is globally present and locally focused, and ready to answer any questions you have about CommScope’s data center solutions, services, warranties or other subjects.