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In this groundbreaking episode of the Data Center Frontier Show, Bill Bentley from Cologix and Ken Patchett from Lambda discuss the launch of Columbus, Ohio’s first NVIDIA HGX B200 AI cluster, a milestone that positions the Midwest as a major player in AI infrastructure.
The conversation explores why Columbus emerged as the ideal location for this deployment, citing its strategic position at the intersection of long-haul fiber networks, favorable tax incentives, low-cost utilities, and growing hyperscaler concentration. The partnership combines Lambda’s revolutionary one-click cluster technology with Cologix’s interconnection-rich campus, enabling rapid deployment that reduces traditional weeks-long timelines to just days.
Key highlights include the concept of “hyperscale edge” merging megawatt capacity with high interconnection density and flexible GPU consumption models that democratize AI access for startups while enabling enterprise scalability. The discussion covers dramatic infrastructure evolution, from 5 kW per rack to 44 kW air-cooled systems, showcasing the industry’s complete transformation.
This deployment represents more than technical innovation; it’s a repeatable playbook for bringing AI infrastructure closer to where it’s needed, supporting regional industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics while establishing the foundation for future superintelligence infrastructure.
Listen to the podcast here:
AI infrastructure FAQs
1. How does Cologix’s “hyperscale edge” approach benefit AI customers?
Cologix’s hyperscale edge concept combines megawatt capacity and wholesale facility capabilities with high interconnection density traditionally found in edge data centers. The Columbus campus functions as both hyperscale and edge, enabling customers to access massive compute resources while maintaining direct connections to carriers, service providers, and AI workloads. This dual capability allows Cologix to serve diverse customer needs from inference to training applications.
2. How does Cologix support rapid AI deployment for enterprise customers?
Cologix’s partnership with Lambda enables customers to scale from zero to megawatts within seconds, creating new operational dynamics requiring exceptional facility engineering. The company’s interconnection-rich environment allows customers to pursue hybrid strategies with traditional cloud providers or connect directly with AI workloads. Cologix’s operational excellence and facility reliability support the infrastructure complexity that high-performance GPU deployments demand for enterprise success.
3. What industries can leverage Cologix’s Columbus AI infrastructure?
Cologix’s Columbus facility serves regional industries including healthcare, life sciences, finance, insurance, manufacturing, and logistics. These sectors benefit from Cologix’s ability to bring AI models closer to where they’re used, enabling ultra-low latency access. The facility’s tremendous industry density and interconnection capabilities allow enterprises to move away from traditional Tier 1 coastal markets while maintaining high-performance connectivity for their AI applications.
4. How has Cologix adapted its data center design for AI infrastructure demands?
Cologix has evolved from supporting 5 kW per rack to 44 kW air-cooled systems, with facilities under development designed for both air and liquid cooling. The company builds adaptable facilities that can pivot quickly as GPU hardware changes every six months. Cologix’s forward-looking approach includes planning for future requirements while supporting current customer needs, ensuring their facilities stay ahead of the rapidly evolving AI curve.
