AI Data Centres: How Nokia & Lenovo Can Deliver IT Solutions

As data centres continue to support global workloads around the world, more facilities are now supporting next-generation technologies to meet customer demands. These include AI and machine learning (AI/ML), 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing.

Such powerful technologies now play a vital role in accelerating digital transformation across the global business landscape. Data centres remain the backbone of such endeavours, as they stand to support growing workloads for key industries and service providers. 

To that end, Nokia and Lenovo are now joining forces to drive advancements in data centre solutions for the AI era. The companies have partnered to create comprehensive data centre networking and automation solutions that support the massive and highly precise compute, storage and transit needs for AI/ML and other compute-intensive workloads.

About the AI data centre market

AI data centres are designed to handle vast amounts of data. In order for them to successfully support these vast quantities, they require sophisticated networking capabilities for rapid processing and storage. 

The core functions of these networks are crucial during various phases of AI model development, including data preparation, training, and inference. When training such models, thousands of graphics processing units (GPUs) work together to analyse large datasets.

As a result, a strong network is required to support high-speed, low-latency communications between data centre servers and storage solutions.

To that end, Nokia’s Data Center solutions and Lenovo’s ThinkSystem AI-ready portfolio of high-performance servers and storage solutions are set to play a critical role within this ecosystem.

The solutions from both companies will be jointly marketed to enterprises, telcos and digital infrastructure and cloud providers.

This highlights a synergy between telecommunications and data centres, with Nokia's networking expertise and Lenovo’s AI-ready infrastructure driving real-world advancements. Highly reliable and scalable solutions are needed to support massive storage and high-speed data transfers inside and across data centres worldwide.

“With Nokia’s automated data fabric and Lenovo’s leading automated compute and storage solutions with industry-leading Neptune liquid cooling technology, enterprises can confidently deploy cutting-edge sustainable infrastructure,” says Charles Ferland, Vice President Edge and Communications Service Providers at Lenovo.

“This collaboration not only generates cost savings but also opens new revenue streams for providers through innovative AI and data consumption models.”

Keeping data secure with AI-led innovation

The telco industry is eager to keep transforming, with companies particularly looking to AI solutions to boost their position in the industry. In fact, McKinsey research indicates that telcos becoming more AI-native is a positive thing, enabling companies to unlock greater revenue growth and US$250bn in value by 2040.

With Lenovo and Nokia integrating their portfolios, they are hoping to enable more seamless automation of AI/ML and compute-intensive workloads. Businesses will be able to access improved observability and programmability, which both companies believe is crucial for adapting to dynamic environments.

Advancing data centre sustainability

With Lenovo and Nokia integrating their portfolios, businesses can access improved observability and programmability, which both companies believe is crucial for adapting to dynamic environments.

Both company offerings focus on energy-efficient designs that reduce power consumption and operational costs while promoting sustainability, which remains a key data centre concern.

Being environmentally aware is a critical focus for Nokia, with the company making the critical decision to accelerate their net zero target from 2050 to 2040, aiming for 100% electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

Likewise, within the wider data centre industry, sustainability is a mission-critical priority. Tech giants like Google and Amazon are looking for new and improved ways to innovate whilst keeping heat down, the wider data centre industry requires urgent solutions that will ultimately keep emissions down. 

Lenovo is already exploring such avenues, particularly via its Neptune liquid cooling technology - highlighting the growing importance of carbon reduction for businesses, whilst meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in the wider technology sector.

“Our partnership with Lenovo exemplifies Nokia’s commitment to innovation and excellence in data centre solutions. By combining Nokia's Data Center Fabric and Event Driven Automation with Lenovo's ThinkSystem AI portfolio, we deliver a high performance, scalable data centre networking solution designed to efficiently manage and automate AI/ML workloads, with a strong emphasis on security and energy efficiency,” explains Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia.

“This collaboration not only enhances the performance and reliability of data centre operations, but also underscores our dedication to providing innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers. 

“Together, we are setting new standards in the industry and driving forward the future of data centre technology.”

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