Although often hidden from view, there can be no debate that our reliance on data centers is spiraling. In their report ‘Data Age 2025’, analyst firm IDC forecasts that within four years, society will generate 175 zettabytes (ZBytes) of data each year – somewhere between two and three times the current rate. The report goes on to suggest that there will be 6 billion connected users by that time, each of whom will interact with a data center almost 5,000 times per day – triple today’s rate and 10 times what it was in 2015.

Taking a step back to look at data centers holistically, and not just from the standpoint of the ‘tech’ involved, is vital to understanding how and why connectivity is essential. The big picture perspective also spotlights the need for connectivity to play into the design considerations from the point of data center design inception. With the expectations for reliable, consistent delivery of rapid speed and high performance for the largest hyperscalers in the world, it’s more critical than ever to explore the role connectivity plays as the road by which all connections are made and power travels.

Molex worked with the PLTW engineering program at a high school in suburban Chicago, engaging students in real-world scenarios.