The Open Compute Project (OCP) is advancing its vision for distributed datacenters by turning to the all-optical Innovative Optical and Wireless Network (IOWN) stack. This initiative, known as the ‘AI Computing Continuum,’ aims to establish a seamless computing infrastructure for both centralized and edge environments, accommodating AI workloads increasingly shifting to network edges for real-time processing.

Centralized datacenters, essential for connectivity, will need partnerships with regional and dispersed locations—from data centers and factories to individual offices. Efficient communication will be crucial, necessitating low-latency, high-bandwidth solutions like those offered by IOWN, capable of boosting network capacity and slashing latency.

The collaboration between OCP and IOWN focuses on designing a multi-site network infrastructure, marrying OCP’s open hardware expertise with IOWN’s optical communication innovation. This venture promises to broaden IOWN’s adoption, facilitated by OCP’s established role in hyperscale technology. The strategic engagement underscores the need for adaptable AI infrastructures in an era of escalating investments in datacenter technologies.