Microsoft appoints Azure VP of global network infrastructure

Microsoft has appointed Francisco J. M. Rey as vice president of global network infrastructure at Azure Networking, a new role in which he will work alongside Vice President for Azure Global Networking Jamie Gaudette. Rey, who joined Microsoft in 2014 and previously served as partner and general manager since 2023, has been instrumental in advancing Hollow Core Fiber and microLED technology to support AI and cloud computing demands.

Microsoft appointed Francisco J. M. Rey to VP of global network infrastructure at Azure Networking. Rey steps into the role from the partner and general manager position he’s held at the hyperscaler since 2023. Microsoft’s new networking VP joined the firm ten years prior as principal strategic network negotiator, before navigating to director of Azure’s global network acquisition group in 2015, director of global network strategy in 2017, and senior director of global network infrastructure in 2020. His career to date has included progressing Hollow Core Fiber HCF into operational deployment across Azure’s network, as well as helping introduce microLED technology https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/microsoft-unveils-micro-led-innovation-to-halve-data-center-energy-use/ to help reduce energy consumption and pump up performance in light of AI and cloud computing upticks. Rey’s role appears to be a new position, where he will work alongside Vice President for Azure Global Networking Jamie Gaudette. Beyond Microsoft, the new VP’s networking experience has included a VP role at Hibernia Networks, delivery and procurement management at Tinet, and network coordinator at Nacamar Communications. Microsoft's networking ambitions have seen various innovations across its Fairwater AI data center, including an AI-infused iteration of a Wide Area Network https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/microsoft-details-ai-wan-connecting-distributed-fairwater-ai-superfactory/ and co-development of the OpenAI-led Multipath Reliable Connection MRC https://www.opencompute.org/documents/ocp-mrc-1-0-pdf system for powering AI at the networking level. The hyperscaler has also touted its Maia 200 accelerator https://www.sdxcentral.com/news/microsoft-reveals-maia-200-network-architecture-pushing-scale-up-inference-efficiency/ , an Ethernet-based “AI inference powerhouse” that powers a two-tier network topology for scale-up.