Why Micro Data Centers?

INTRODUCTION

Why Edge Computing?

Smart sensors and devices in edge locations like factories,

ofﬁces, homes, stores and warehouses have become smaller,

less expensive and increasingly interconnected, creating an

explosion of data. IDC predicts that 150 billion IoT devices will

create 90 trillion gigabytes of data by 2025.

Organizations in every sector – including business, manufacturing,

telecommunications, healthcare, ﬁnancial services, retail,

transportation, government, energy and education – are racing

to analyze and capitalize on IoT data by implementing an edge

computing strategy to supplement traditional core/cloud

data centers. Gartner predicts that data processed outside

core/cloud data centers will grow from 10% currently to

50% by 2022.

Edge computing solves three problems for these organizations:

NETWORK LATENCY causes poor performance or total failure

for time-sensitive or interactive applications that require

near-immediate response times. Edge computing requires

fewer network hops to minimize latency.

BANDWIDTH COSTS increase signiﬁcantly when continuously

shuttling large volumes of data from edge to core/cloud and

back again. Edge computing reduces bandwidth requirements.

SYSTEM AVAILABILITY is at risk when a distant core/cloud data

center is required for data processing. If the Internet connection

goes down, business grinds to a halt. Edge computing reduces

reliance on that connection.

When an organization implements an edge computing strategy,

it faces the question of how best to relocate the compute

component. One option is building new data centers closer

to edge locations, but this is extremely expensive and

time-consuming. It also doesn’t work well unless edge

locations are clustered, as in a large city.

For many applications, preconﬁgured micro data centers that

integrate a rack enclosure, backup power, remote management

and cooling options are proving to be more feasible and

cost-effective. They provide several beneﬁts:

• Reduction in site-related costs

• Quicker deployment time

• Standardized conﬁgurations

Micro data centers conveniently and cost-effectively enable edge

computing in locations where dedicated IT space is unavailable

and impractical or cost-prohibitive to retroﬁt.

• Sites that require edge computing, like branch ofﬁces, banks,

retail locations, cell towers and factories, often lack space and

on-site IT staff, so micro data centers are designed to save

space and require minimal IT support.

• Because of the critical applications served by edge computing,

micro data centers also need to provide a level of system

availability and security comparable to a core/cloud data center.

• The ability to customize and then standardize a solution is also

key, as it makes the micro data center more cost-effective, more

reliable and leads to quick, easy, repeatable deployments

and service.