Electrical equipment maker and data center equipment giant Schneider Electric has teamed up with Nvidia to release reference architectures.
The architecture is optimized for Nvidia's GB200 NVL72 and Blackwell chips and is expected to support up to 132kW per rack with a liquid-cooled design.
“The energy and environmental impact of AI is growing at unprecedented pace, and it’s paramount we bend the energy curve downward by finding new ways to decarbonize data centers and the digital infrastructure,” said Pankaj Sharma, EVP, data centers and networks at Schneider Electric.
“At Schneider Electric, we are committed to pushing boundaries, setting new standards, and shaping the future of AI, whilst protecting the environment. This requires a strategic approach from the grid to the chip, to the chiller, and beyond.”
The reference design includes liquid-to-liquid Coolant Distribution Units (CDUs) as well as direct-to-chip liquid cooling options. In October, Schneider announced that it would acquire a controlling stake in CDU and cold plate liquid cooling firm Motivair.
"This is a reference architecture for how you support high-density, and we think it will be relevant for the next year, 18 months, or whatever it may be," Marc Garner, Schneider's SVP of Secure Power Europe, told DCD.
"This has to keep going and continuing forward. I'm sure the conversation will next be: 'how do I do it at 200kW?'"
He added: "We've been working with Nvidia on the end-to-end piece, we need to offer infrastructure from the grid to the chip."
The architecture used Schneider Electric’s software tools Ecodial and EcoStruxure IT Design CFD to be customized for specific requirements.
“Building the future of accelerated computing and AI requires speed and a bedrock foundation," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia.
"Our work with Schneider Electric enables customers to design the world’s technological advances on stable and resilient infrastructure. Together, we’re creating AI data centers that are purpose-built for accelerated computing, supporting complex architectures that are essential to deliver digital intelligence to every company and industry."
Schneider previously announced a reference architecture with Nvidia back in May. Rival Vertiv launched its own GB200 NVL72 reference architecture in October.
Nvidia has struggled with its upcoming 72-chip data center racks, with reports of overheating and unexpected glitches. The chip designer has asked its suppliers to make multiple changes to its custom rack design in a bid to solve the issue.
