If 2025 was the reckoning for data-center scale, 2026 is the year of efficiency-first. AI demand, exploding data sets, and rising power constraints are forcing a re‑think of server and storage architecture — from memory fabrics to Ethernet at 800G and beyond. The companies that win this year won’t just buy more iron; they’ll architect for utilization, resilience, and predictable cost.
Below are the eight trends and initiatives we’re recommending to clients right now — with specific steps you can take, plus where ProTelesis plugs in with solutions and services.
1) Design for Memory Fabrics, Not Just Faster CPUs
Why it matters: AI inference and analytical workloads are hitting a memory wall. Compute Express Link (CXL) turns memory into a pooled, fabric-attached resource, letting you scale capacity and bandwidth without multiplying servers. Expect first wave mainstream deployments in 2026–2027 and early multi‑rack CXL 4.0 planning to begin now.
What to do in 2026:
- Pilot CXL‑capable platforms (CXL 2.0/3.x) and evaluate memory expansion/pooling use cases (LLM KV-cache offload, in‑memory analytics). Build a path to CXL 4.0 for 2027 as vendors mature multi‑rack fabrics.
- Right-size DDR5 channels and plan for 12–16 channel platforms as roadmaps evolve (AMD EPYC and Intel next‑gen).
Where ProTelesis helps: ProTelesis designs and hosts CXL-ready compute infrastructure tailored to your workloads. We architect memory-dense platforms using Lenovo and Cisco UCS, validate them through real-world PoCs, and deploy them as dedicated infrastructure within our hosted environments — giving you the performance benefits of CXL without owning or operating the hardware lifecycle.
2) Standardize on NVMe (and Learn ZNS) to Cut Latency & Cost
Why it matters: NVMe is table stakes, but NVMe 2.0 Zoned Namespaces (ZNS) changes the game for endurance, performance, and capacity efficiency by reducing write amplification — crucial at AI-era ingest rates.
What to do in 2026:
- Benchmark ZNS‑aware stacks (filesystems, databases, object stores) against conventional NVMe to quantify tail‑latency gains and usable capacity improvements.
- Plan NVMe‑oF for scale-out performance and lower CPU overhead; make sure your OS baseline includes native NVMe‑oF initiators and ReFS/NVMe optimizations where applicable.
Where ProTelesis helps: We architect and operate all-NVMe storage infrastructure as part of your hosted platform, including ZNS-capable NVMe where workloads benefit. ProTelesis handles platform selection, integration with your OS and hypervisor stack, and ongoing performance validation — delivering predictable latency and endurance without shifting storage operations onto your team.
3) Treat Ethernet as Your AI/Storage Backplane (400G→800G)
Why it matters: Ethernet is winning AI back‑end networks and pushing into scale‑up domains previously dominated by proprietary links. 800G is the design‑pivot for new builds, with a standards roadmap marching to 1.6T.
What to do in 2026:
- Refresh spines/leafs to 800G uplinks for new pods or expansions; keep 400G at the server edge as needed. Plan BOMs early — optics, breakouts, and telemetry are the hidden costs/risks.
- Consider RoCEv2 and congestion control on modern 800G silicon (e.g., Spectrum‑4 class) to make Ethernet deterministic for AI and storage east‑west flows.
Where ProTelesis helps: ProTelesis designs, deploys, and manages high-bandwidth Ethernet fabrics inside our hosted data-center environments. We integrate 400G and 800G networking directly with your compute and storage infrastructure, ensuring deterministic performance for AI and storage traffic while removing the complexity of operating next-gen networking in-house.
4) Adopt Liquid Cooling Where Racks Break ~40 kW
Why it matters: High‑density AI racks and next‑gen CPUs/GPUs blow past air cooling. Direct‑to‑chip and immersion can cut PUE, slash Opex, and unlock density. Multiple studies point to material energy and water reductions when moving from air to liquid.
What to do in 2026:
- Run a thermal feasibility: identify pods >40 kW/rack and model direct‑to‑chip cold plate retrofits vs. immersion for greenfield. Tie capex to energy savings and PUE impact.
- Stage retrofits to avoid downtime; start with the hottest pods and GPU racks. Market data suggests double‑digit CAGR in liquid cooling — component supply and facility readiness favor early movers.
Where ProTelesis helps: For high-density workloads, ProTelesis coordinates facilities-grade cooling and IT infrastructure as a single hosted solution. We design and deploy liquid-cooled racks — including direct-to-chip configurations — inside our environments so customers can run dense AI and compute workloads without managing cooling retrofits or data-center upgrades themselves.
5) Shift File Services to Modern SMB (QUIC) & NVMe‑oF for Core IO
Why it matters: Windows Server 2025 added SMB over QUIC across editions and NVMe‑oF initiator support, enabling VPN‑less secure file access and line‑rate storage fabrics — key for branch latency and VM IO.
What to do in 2026:
- Enable SMB over QUIC for remote/edge access to central file shares, paired with enforced signing/encryption; it’s now broadly available, not just Azure‑only.
- Use ReFS with dedup/compression on S2D or SoFS tiers to stretch flash and accelerate rebuilds; pilot thin‑provisioned S2D volumes for better pool economics.
Where ProTelesis helps: ProTelesis delivers modern file and block storage as hosted infrastructure, integrating SMB over QUIC, NVMe-oF, and optimized Windows/Linux storage stacks. We design the architecture, operate the platforms, and maintain performance and security baselines — giving you high-speed access without turning file services into an internal operations burden.
6) Harden for the Ransomware Reality: Immutability, Identity, and Recovery SLAs
Why it matters: Ransomware volume and velocity are still rising, with attackers leaning on agentic AI and supply‑chain paths. The 2026 mindset: assume compromise and optimize for verified, fast recovery and immutability.
What to do in 2026:
- Make immutability the default for backups and primary snapshots; test clean-room restores and integrity checks routinely.
- Map third‑party/SaaS exposure and set identity hardening (token hygiene, entitlement baselines) as a storage control, not only an IAM concern.
Where ProTelesis helps: We build immutability, backup isolation, and recovery guarantees directly into the hosted infrastructure we operate for you. ProTelesis designs and manages storage platforms with immutable snapshots, clean-room recovery paths, and monitored restore workflows — shifting ransomware resilience from a policy exercise into an engineered outcome.
7) Object Storage Everywhere: On‑Prem S3 for AI Data, Backups & Analytics
Why it matters: S3‑compatible object storage decouples capacity from monolithic arrays, keeps data sovereignty in check, and plugs into modern analytics/AI pipelines. The on‑prem S3 market is growing quickly because hybrid and cost controls matter.
What to do in 2026:
- Stand up S3‑compatible clusters (Cloudian/MinIO/Ceph class) on commodity hardware for backups, datasets, and long‑tail content; compare egress economics vs. cloud‑only.
- Benchmark providers across retrieval fees/latency and API parity if you’re using off‑prem S3-compatible endpoints.
Where ProTelesis helps: ProTelesis deploys and operates S3-compatible object storage as dedicated hosted infrastructure, integrated with your compute, backup, and analytics environments. You get the benefits of on-prem S3 — performance, sovereignty, and cost control — without having to own, scale, or maintain the object storage platforms yourself.
8) Anticipate VMware Licensing Shock — and Create a Plan B
Why it matters: Post‑acquisition, Broadcom’s VMware licensing changes (subscription‑only, SKU consolidation, minimum core counts, late renewal penalties) have pushed many IT teams to reassess cost, features, and timelines. Regardless of your path, you need a 2026‑ready plan that includes rightsizing and alternatives.
What to do in 2026:
- Build a three‑track strategy: (A) optimize current VMware footprint, (B) test alternative stacks (e.g., Hyper‑V, KVM‑based HCI), and (C) stage migration contingencies for DR or edge.
- Model core‑based economics vs. modern CPU platforms; the 72‑core minimums and bundle requirements materially change TCO.
Where ProTelesis helps: We help customers absorb licensing changes by re-architecting hosted infrastructure — not by forcing platform lock-in. ProTelesis designs VMware-optimized environments where it makes sense, while also standing up alternative hypervisor stacks in parallel within our hosted footprint, giving you flexibility without disruptive migrations.
Executive Checklist: Quick Wins for Q1–Q2 2026
- Pick a CXL‑capable server line for next refresh; enable a small POC for memory expansion/pooling.
- Lock an 800G spine design for new pods; update optics plan and telemetry/automation.
- Turn on SMB over QUIC and ReFS dedup+compression for remote work + capacity gains.
- Stand up immutable backups and rehearse recovery; audit third‑party data flows.
- Pilot on‑prem S3 for backups/AI datasets; measure egress and retrieval vs. cloud.
- Run a VMware cost/option review and prepare a stepwise exit/optimize plan.
Why ProTelesis?
We combine design, deployment, and 24/7 management across servers, storage, networking, security, and collaboration, with deep experience in Cisco UCS, Lenovo racks, NVMe/NVMe‑oF, virtualization stacks, and data protection. Our Servers & Storage practice is built around open, high‑performance platforms with record‑setting reliability and built‑in data protection — delivered at highly competitive pricing.
- End‑to‑end: structured cabling to cloud services, and everything in between.
- Vendor‑neutral strategy: we architect what fits your workloads and budget, not just a single OEM roadmap.
- Rapid support: 90% of support calls answered within a minute; 24/7 monitoring and automation.
FAQ Section
1. What server and storage upgrades should San Diego businesses prioritize in 2026?
San Diego organizations should prioritize CXL‑capable servers, NVMe‑oF storage, 800G Ethernet networking, and ransomware‑resilient architectures to support AI demand and high‑growth workloads. These technologies align well with the region’s expanding biotech, defense, and startup ecosystem.
2. Does ProTelesis offer on‑site server and storage support in San Diego?
Yes. ProTelesis provides end‑to‑end architecture, installation, monitoring, and support for servers, storage, networking, and security across greater San Diego and Southern California, with rapid response times and 24/7 support.
3. How can San Diego companies reduce data center cooling costs in 2026?
High‑density environments in SoCal benefit strongly from direct‑to‑chip and immersion liquid cooling, which reduce energy usage, cut operational costs, and improve sustainability — crucial in California’s constrained power and environmental landscape.
4. Are on‑prem S3‑compatible storage solutions a good fit for businesses in San Diego?
Absolutely. Many San Diego companies in healthcare, biotech, and government need local data sovereignty while still using cloud‑native S3 workflows. On‑prem S3 storage delivers compliance, low latency, and predictable cost control.
5. Can ProTelesis help San Diego enterprises navigate VMware’s new Broadcom licensing?
Yes. ProTelesis provides VMware licensing assessments, cost modeling, optimization strategies, and migration planning to help SoCal organizations avoid unexpected cost increases and maintain operational continuity.
6. What industries in the San Diego area benefit most from 2026 server and storage modernization?
Biotech, life sciences, defense contractors, higher education, and AI‑driven startups all benefit from upgrading memory fabrics, NVMe storage, and high‑bandwidth Ethernet as data volumes and compute requirements surge.