In case you’ve been stuck in video conference meetings all day, here are today’s top stories from SDxCentral. Also, make sure to subscribe to our daily newsletters to get these stories in your inbox.

Hyperscalers Fuel 400ZR Optical Buzz

Dell’Oro VP Jimmy Yu predicts Microsoft is going to be the first big purchaser of the 400ZR pluggable transceiver. Read more.

Palo Alto Networks: Ransomware Demands Rocket 518%

Unit 42 researchers also detail a new trend they call “quadruple extortion,” as if double extortion ransomware attacks weren’t disturbing enough. Read more.

Extreme Roots SASE Strategy in Ipanema Buy

The acquisition is about more than SD-WAN, it's about laying the groundwork for a SASE platform, Extreme Networks' Nabil Bukhari said. Read more.

Aligned Energy Secures $1.25B for Waterless Data Center

Aligned received the first sustainability-linked data center loan in the U.S., with interest rates tied to three key performance indicators: renewable energy use, transparent sustainability reporting, and workplace safety. Read more.