NSE Goes Cold: Liquid Cooling Tech Deployed to Power AI Expansion
National Stock Exchange (NSE) implements Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling to scale AI capacity to 224 GPUs, enhancing data sovereignty and efficiency.
In a pioneering move for the Indian capital markets, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has deployed a cutting-edge Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling (DCLC) solution at its on-premises data centre. This strategic upgrade to the NSE AI infrastructure is designed to handle the massive computing demands of artificial intelligence while ensuring the system remains energy-efficient and stable.
Scaling Up the Power: From 80 to 224 GPUs
The NSE is not just updating its cooling; it is aggressively scaling its computing muscle. While the exchange has already put multiple graphics processing units (GPUs) into action, it aims to push this capacity to over 80 GPUs within the current quarter.
However, the long-term vision is even more ambitious. The new infrastructure is engineered to support up to 224 GPUs across high-density racks. This scalable architecture ensures that as AI applications become more complex and data-heavy, the exchange can expand its capacity without needing a complete overhaul of its hardware environment.
Why Liquid Cooling?
Traditional air cooling often struggles with the intense heat generated by high-density GPU clusters. By implementing DCLC, the NSE is addressing the critical challenges of power consumption and heat management. Sampath Manickam, Chief Technology Officer at NSE, noted that AI is triggering a fundamental shift in tech infrastructure, necessitating significantly higher computing density and more robust cooling systems.
The transition to liquid cooling provides a foundation that is both scalable and energy-efficient, preparing the exchange for the next generation of AI-driven workloads.
Data Sovereignty and Security
Beyond the hardware performance, the decision to maintain an on-premises infrastructure is a strategic move for security. By keeping the computing resources in-house, the NSE ensures complete control over its AI data and access.
This approach strengthens the exchange's data sovereignty, allowing it to adhere strictly to its security governance framework and remain compliant with all applicable regulatory requirements as AI adoption grows within the financial sector.
A Vision for Operational Excellence
Viral Mody, Executive Director of NSE, emphasized that these investments are geared toward operational excellence and responsible resource utilization. He highlighted that the adoption of direct-to-chip liquid cooling is a step toward a more energy-conscious technology ecosystem.
What's Next for NSE?
The innovation doesn't stop at the internal data centre. The NSE has revealed plans to extend this liquid cooling technology to its co-location data centre in the near future. This expansion will be driven by the specific requirements of market participants, ensuring that the broader ecosystem of India's capital markets remains resilient and scalable.