Powering Scalable Data Center Growth with Moxa & Summit Automation

Overview

As Australia’s data center market rapidly expands, Macquarie Data Centres faced the challenge of building a scalable, resilient facility in Sydney to meet the growing needs of hyperscalers and government clients. To support this multiphase campus project, Macquarie partnered with Summit Automation and Moxa to deliver a future-ready power infrastructure with high availability, seamless interoperability, and robust connectivity.

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The Challenge

Designing a data-centric, expandable facility required integrating advanced power and control systems across multiple buildings—while managing tight timelines, regulatory compliance (IEC 61850), and diverse communication protocols.

• Key Issues Addressed:
  • Interoperability between legacy and modern devices
  • 0ms network recovery for critical protection systems
  • Reliable communication across expanding infrastructure

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The Solution

Advanced Simulation for Fast Deployment

Summit Automation utilized advanced simulation tools to reduce deployment risk and accelerate on-site implementation. Most components were tested in a virtual environment before physical installation.

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IT/OT Convergence with Moxa

To overcome integration challenges between modern and legacy devices, Summit Automation partnered with Moxa to design a unified network infrastructure. Highlights include:

• PRP/HSR Redundancy – ensures zero packet loss and uninterrupted communication
• RSTP Grouping – bridges traditional PLCs and Ethernet devices with high-speed redundant networks
• MGate Protocol Gateways – converts Modbus RTU to Modbus TCP for legacy generator systems
• RedBox Switches & Secure Routers – enable seamless integration and segmentation of control systems

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Unpacking the Technology

The infrastructure incorporated advanced redundancy, protocol translation, and network segmentation across the power grid, generators, UPS, and fuel metering systems.

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The Results

Macquarie’s Sydney campus is now a robust, flexible, and scalable data center environment serving global cloud providers, government agencies, and enterprise clients. The collaboration between Moxa and Summit Automation enabled:

• Reduced deployment time through simulation
• Seamless IT-OT integration
• High-reliability network architecture
• Standards-compliant power infrastructure (IEC 61850)

“The project couldn’t have been completed without Moxa’s support. It has been an excellent partnership.”
— Michael Dwyer, CEO, Summit Automation

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