Molex, a global leader in electronics and connectivity, has unveiled a game-changing thermal management solution designed to simplify the deployment and upgrades of high-performance data centers. The new Molex VaporConnect™ Optical Feedthrough Modules are engineered to meet the ever-increasing demands of generative AI and machine learning workloads, addressing the need for faster and larger data center capabilities.
At the heart of this innovation lies a unique cassette-based design. VaporConnect modules are directly bolted onto immersion tanks, allowing for seamless swapping of optical transceivers and network cabling infrastructure without requiring any alterations to the immersion tank’s architecture or mechanical interfaces. This plug-and-play approach significantly reduces the time and cost associated with data center upgrades, enabling organizations to quickly scale their infrastructure to meet evolving demands.
Molex VaporConnect modules streamline the connection process between optical transceivers housed within immersion tanks and the external cabling infrastructure. The modules offer fully upgradeable sealed designs, allowing for connector upgrades without affecting the immersion tank’s integrity. This flexibility ensures that data centers can easily adapt to new technologies and evolving connectivity requirements.
One of the key advantages of VaporConnect is its ability to utilize standard cabling infrastructure for multiple product generations. This further reduces deployment time, cost, and complexity, as organizations can leverage existing investments in cabling infrastructure. The modules support a wide range of industry-standard and Molex optical connector form factors for both single- and multi-mode fiber solutions, offering mix-and-match functionality for seamless system upgrades.
To simplify installation and ensure plug-and-play operation, Molex VaporConnect modules incorporate Molex FlexPlane™ optical circuitry technology, minimizing external patching and shuffle requirements. This integration of complex optical shuffles and high-density fiber routing within the module makes installation more straightforward and efficient.
Reliability is a cornerstone of VaporConnect. Each module comes with a sealing gasket that undergoes rigorous helium-leak testing to guarantee a reliable seal with the tank wall. This ensures a smooth transition from the server line cards inside the tank to the external cabling infrastructure, meeting the demanding requirements of high-performance data centers.
Molex’s VaporConnect modules are designed to be versatile and customizable. They can accommodate a variety of customer specifications, with the number of fiber channels varying depending on the type and number of connectors used. A single module can integrate up to 576 fibers, and a range of form factor options, including MPO, LC, and very small form factor (VSFF) options (MMC, MDC, SN, and SN-MT), are available to meet specific requirements and ensure compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Molex is committed to advancing optical network innovations and has already shipped over 350,000 optical channels through its VaporConnect modules. At ECOC 2024, the company is showcasing its innovative optical network infrastructure solutions, including the VaporConnect Optical Feedthrough Modules. The company’s extensive line of optical connectivity products, optoelectronics solutions, and wavelength management systems are on display at Stand C75. Molex is also participating in an interoperability demonstration at Booth B83, highlighting the company’s commitment to driving advancements in optical networking technologies for data centers, AI/ML technologies, and disaggregated systems.
Molex VaporConnect Optical Feedthrough Modules represent a significant leap forward in thermal management solutions for high-performance data centers. Their innovative design and features address the critical needs of organizations seeking to optimize data center deployments, upgrades, and scalability while keeping pace with the exponential growth of AI and machine learning workloads. As data centers continue to evolve, Molex’s commitment to innovation ensures that its solutions will remain at the forefront of this dynamic and crucial industry.
