Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation

Fiber, Foresight, & The future: Solving for scale in the age of AI


Listen Later

What happens when AI meets data center infrastructure? Dan Molloy—known throughout the industry as "Fiber Dan"—brings decades of networking expertise and bold predictions about the future of mission-critical systems. From his early days discovering the internet in high school to his current role as a fiber infrastructure expert, Dan offers a unique perspective on how artificial intelligence will reshape everything from workforce training to blockchain applications in hyperscale environments.


Key Insights & Bold Takes

AI isn't coming for technical jobs first—it's targeting middle management decision-making while making hands-on expertise more valuable than ever


The knowledge transfer crisis is real—as Valerie noted, "We've got to change the way we share information" rather than keeping expertise locked away in NDAs and proprietary environments


Fiber infrastructure demands are exploding as AI workloads require "giant hive minds" where everything communicates in real time


Predictive analytics will connect seemingly unrelated data points—weather patterns, internet usage, and system failures in ways humans would never think to explore


Blockchain applications in data centers focus on trust and accountability—imagine automatic SLA violation credits without disputes or delays


Training through AI-powered simulation offers safer, scalable alternatives to learning on dangerous live power systems


The sustainability tension between AI's massive energy demands and environmental goals requires innovative solutions, not compromise


Dan Molloy Bio & Connect

Dan Molloy, known as "Fiber Dan," brings over two decades of networking and infrastructure expertise to the data center industry. After discovering the early internet in high school and serving in the Air Force at Fort Meade, Dan navigated the dot-com boom and bust before finding his calling in mission-critical infrastructure. For the past nine years, he has become a recognized voice in fiber optics, AI integration, and the future of hyperscale operations.


Connect with Dan:

  • Website: FiberDan.com


    Apply to be a Guest or Sponsor and follow along:

    ⁠⁠https://beyondthemegawatt.com/⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-the-megawatt-podcast⁠⁠


    Connect with Mara:

    ⁠⁠⁠https://www.marajadeconsulting.com/⁠⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/datacenterchic/⁠⁠


    Connect with Val:

    ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-crafton-mba-0362b816/⁠

    ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://valconsultants.com/⁠⁠⁠

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure InnovationBy Mara Ervin & Val Crafton

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    2 ratings


    More shows like Beyond the Megawatt: Data Center Design, Technology Challenges, and Infrastructure Innovation

    View all
    Freakonomics Radio by Freakonomics Radio + Stitcher

    Freakonomics Radio

    32,299 Listeners

    Inside Data Centre Podcast by Andy Davis

    Inside Data Centre Podcast

    7 Listeners

    Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman by Missy Helderman

    Confessions of a Bra Lady, with Missy Helderman

    12 Listeners

    Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love by Kim Box from the Motherhood Anthology

    Motherhood Anthology: Photography Education for a Business You Love

    50 Listeners

    The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals by Dr. Cherie

    The Passionate Stewardship with Dr. Cherie: A Radical Self-Care Podcast for Helping Professionals

    2 Listeners

    Big Brave Business:  Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter by Sarah Heeter

    Big Brave Business: Revolutionary Leadership and Entrepreneurship for Millennials with Sarah Heeter

    65 Listeners

    A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth by Sindee Gozansky, LCPC

    A Simple Therapy Podcast: Honest Conversations on Therapy, Mental Health, Healing and Self-Growth

    20 Listeners

    Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life by Katy Schlegel

    Anxious Adventurer with Katy Schlegel | A podcast about connection and exploration on the journey of life

    8 Listeners

    Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving by Kathy Werking

    Vibrantly Grey with Kathy Werking: A Podcast for Women Over 50 and Thriving

    5 Listeners

    Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope by Kasey Hope

    Here's Hope: Finding Hope in the Chaos with Kasey Hope

    115 Listeners

    Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life by Becky Aste

    Your Breakthrough Blueprint with Becky Aste | for the highly ambitious, high-performing wife who is ready to repair connection in her marriage and harmony in her body and life

    36 Listeners

    Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org by Doreen Korba of StillMama.org

    Healing After Baby Loss with Doreen Korba from StillMama.org

    40 Listeners

    Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education by Ricardo Sierra

    Forest Educator with Ricardo Sierra | A Podcast for Revolutionary Conversations about Nature-Based Education

    23 Listeners

    The Data Center Frontier Show by Endeavor Business Media

    The Data Center Frontier Show

    11 Listeners

    Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business! by Jonica Thompson

    Build Your Bakery Podcast with Jonica Thompson | Turn Your Baking Skills into a Profitable Business!

    13 Listeners

    Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women by Katie Carson

    Ditch the Ick with Katie Carson: Redefining Relationships, Self-Worth, and Building Your Dream Life as Millennial and Gen X Women

    12 Listeners

    Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros by The Pet Shop Girls

    Pet Shop Girls with Sherry (Odyssey Pets) and Carly (House of Paws) - A Podcast for Independent Pet Pros

    8 Listeners

    Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne by Casey Thorne

    Somming in the Desert: Appreciating Arizona's Food and Wine Culture with Casey Thorne

    0 Listeners

    Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane by Whitney Surane

    Motherhood Journeys: {MOM}ents with Madly Wish by Whitney Surane

    10 Listeners

    Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets by The Pet Shop Girls: Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets and Carly Patryluk of House of Paws

    Tip the Dish: Dishing Tips on Natural Pet Care and Nutrition from Retail.Pet, Hosted by The Pet Shop Girls Carly Patryluk of House of Paws and Sherry Redwine of Odyssey Pets

    12 Listeners

    Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega by Diane Ortega of Willow Birth Center

    Midwife Life: Educating Women on All Things Pregnancy, Birth, Postpartum Care, and Careers in Healthcare with Diane Ortega

    7 Listeners

    AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist by Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist

    AI Queens: Elevate Your Business with Technology with Erika Stanley, Branding and AI Strategist

    12 Listeners