Review of optical wireless communications for data centers

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

A data center (DC) is a facility either physical or virtual, for running applications, searching, storage, management and dissemination of information known as cloud computing, which consume a huge amount of energy. A DC includes thousands of servers, communication and storage equipment and a support system including an air conditioning system, security, monitoring equipment and electricity regulator units. Data center operators face the challenges of meeting exponentially increasing demands for network bandwidth without unreasonable increases in operation and infrastructure cost. In order to meet the requirements of moderate increase in operation and infrastructure cost technology, a revolution is required. One way to overcome the shortcomings of traditional static (wired) data center architectures is use of a hybrid network based on fiber and optical wireless communication (OWC) or free space optics (FSO). The OWC link could be deployed on top of the existing cable/fiber network layer, so that live migration could be done easily and dynamically. In that case the network topology is flexible and adapts quickly to changes in traffic, heat distribution, power consumption and characteristics of the applications. In addition, OWC could provide an easy way to maintain and scale up data centers. As a result total cost of ownership could be reduced and the return on investment could be increased. In this talk we will review the main OWC technologies applicable for data centers, indicate how energy could be saved using OWC multichannel communication and discuss the issue of OWC pointing accuracy for data center scenario.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvanced Free-Space Optical Communication Techniques and Applications III
EditorsHenry J. White, Florian Moll
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510613386
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2017
EventAdvanced Free-Space Optical Communication Techniques and Applications III 2018 - Warsaw, Poland
Duration: 11 Sep 201812 Sep 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume10437
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceAdvanced Free-Space Optical Communication Techniques and Applications III 2018
Country/TerritoryPoland
CityWarsaw
Period11/09/1812/09/18

Keywords

  • Data center
  • Free space optics
  • Interconnect
  • Multi channels
  • Network
  • Optical wireless communication
  • Pointing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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