Industry Transition Accelerates
The data center industry is shifting away from traditional 19-inch rack standards toward wider 21-inch Open Rack designs, according to reports from leading research firms. This transition is gaining momentum as demand for AI infrastructure continues to surge among major cloud providers and technology companies.
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Research Findings and Projections
Analysts suggest that the 21-inch Open Rack format could account for more than 70% of rack shipments by 2030, based on assessment of current adoption trends. The report states that this represents a fundamental shift in data center architecture, driven primarily by the needs of cloud computing and AI workloads. Sources indicate that rack shipments are expected to grow faster than server shipments for the first time in a decade, with overall revenue reportedly reaching approximately $4.1 billion by 2030.
Major Industry Players Driving Adoption
Leading server manufacturers including Dell and HPE are supporting the transition through their backing of the modular Data Center Modular Hardware System (DC-MHS), which is based on Open Rack architecture. According to the analysis, up to 90% of Dell’s future server systems could move to this wider format. Hyperscale companies such as Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Meta, Huawei, and Oracle are already adopting the 21-inch format as their primary standard, with suppliers reporting steady investment in AI-related hardware.
Technical Advantages for AI Workloads
The wider 21-inch design provides significant technical benefits that are particularly valuable for AI and machine learning systems, analysts suggest. The additional space allows for improved airflow and room for larger fans, enhancing cooling capabilities for increasingly powerful and heat-generating components. This is especially important given recent industry developments showing increased computational demands. The layout also facilitates dense cabling, liquid cooling implementation, and higher power delivery systems that are essential for modern AI infrastructure.
Manufacturer Response and Capacity Expansion
Major equipment manufacturers are responding to this shift by expanding production capacity to meet growing demand. Wiwynn, one of the largest manufacturers serving cloud providers, has reported strong AI server demand and is preparing for longer-term orders. This expansion aligns with broader market trends in technology infrastructure investment. The combination of higher-capacity racks and modular server designs is expected to redefine how future data centers are planned and scaled globally, according to industry observers.
Future Implications and Industry Impact
The transition to 21-inch Open Rack designs represents more than just a dimensional change—it signals a fundamental shift in data center architecture philosophy. According to Omdia’s recent analysis, this approach enables compute and storage modules to operate at rack scale rather than as separate units, improving overall efficiency. The design also accommodates future improvements as processors evolve and server density increases, positioning the industry to handle emerging computational challenges. These related innovations in data center technology are expected to support the next generation of AI applications and services.
The industry-wide adoption of 21-inch Open Rack standards marks a significant milestone in data center evolution, reflecting the growing importance of modular, scalable infrastructure designed specifically for AI workloads and cloud computing demands.
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