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When it comes to defining an Edge Data Center, they can be somewhat difficult to define. The average number of smaller facilities that extend their ‘edge of network’, need to deliver cloud computing resources and prime cached streamlined content to all of their local users. When it comes to IoT, these centers act as a clearinghouse for the data that is being generated throughout the facility by IoT devices. This being said, they require additional processing, for the process is time-sensitive when it comes to being transferred back to a more centralized server.
What Distinguishes an Edge Data Center?
What really distinguishes an edge data center from a more conventional facility? Edge Centers should be located close enough to their end-users, while also managed remotely, with very little on-grounds staff. Most edge data centers are located in 2-tier markets, that don’t have easy access to more powerful resources.
Being localized isn’t enough to be branded as an “edge center,” unless a large percentage of those users are utilizing the following resources:
Cloud-Based Applications |
Streaming Content Across Channels |
Playing Games |
If a center doesn’t incorporate enough of the internet’s space, then it can’t be viable enough to be considered part of any network’s edge.
What about Larger Networks?
Edge Data Centers possess a range of services for their users. These services include: Cloud Resources, Machine Learning Tactics, and Analytics Functionalities. When connected to multiple edge data centers, there is a lot of storing and caching data taking place on the scene.
There is a greater possibility of disruption throughout the network due to the conflicting on-site processes and any lack of coordination. If one data center receives software or server updates, it could implement changes that cause problems for other data centers. This could result in system downtime, which can be a serious consequence for larger companies.
Achieving faster speeds is totally doable. Moving data processing to the edge of the network will speed up response times by reducing latency. Faster performance speeds shouldn’t be accompanied by increased costs either. More efficient architecture for transferring and processing data, without the need for laying permanent cables or hard lines.
What’s the Footprint Looking Like?
Edge Data Centers are pretty new, for they were built and installed recently to meet the demands of facilities, and have been re-furbished to convert old centers into bright and new ones. Edge Data Centers can be seen as significantly smaller and aware of the space they hold in response. That being said, there are several Environmental Cooling Strategies that have been put into place as well.
Calibrated Vector Cooling – Data Center Cooling with high density servers that works to optimize the airflow path to allow cooling systems to manage heat more effectively. This makes it more possible to increase the ratio of circuit boards per chassis and utilize fewer fans.
Chilled Water System – This is common in mid-to-large sized data centers and utilizes chilled water to cool air being brought in by air handlers.
Cold Aisles | Hot Aisles |
Cold Air intakes on front of the racks. | Hot Air exhausts on back of racks and that hot air is expelled into the AC intakes to be chilled and then vented back to the Cold Aisles. |
Direct-to-Chip Cooling – Data Center Liquid Cooling utilizes pipes to deliver coolant directly to the cold plate, working alongside the motherboard’s processes, that strive to disperse this heat. Extracted heat travels to the Chilled Water Loop, which is then transported to the Facility’s Chiller Plant. This is perceived as the most effective form of Server Cooling.
Is there any Reliability?
True Edge Data Centers provide at least 75% of local internet content to its surrounding market, even though a loss of service can take place. Reliable uptime is vital, because anything below a Tier-3 data center might not be considered as a viable environment for edge computing. Tier-3 offers 99.9% uptime, which counts as a standard for content-heavy media providers like Netflix, Facebook, and Twitter.
Edge Data Centers come in a variety of formats, but once organizations can identify their place and what facility suits them the best, the better their edge computing needs will mature.