By 2022, the global edge computing market is expected to reach $6.72 billion. By far, the biggest driver of edge capacity is the Internet of Things (IoT).
To accommodate the proliferation of connected devices that produce huge volumes of data, centralized networks have morphed into networks of distributed, dynamically interconnected systems spanning clouds, microservices, and software defined networks.
Edge data centers ensure uninterrupted service, low latency, and overall, the best customer experience possible. From a customer’s perspective, value is determined by service quality, performance, and pricing. Since edge computing moves workloads and applications closer to customers, it allows for the data produced by IoT devices to be processed closer to where it is created, instead of sending it across long routes to central data centers or clouds. Moving data processing to the edge of the network also improves response times. Since edge data centers are physically closer to end users, performance speeds are faster in almost every situation.
In addition to speed, edge data centers offer more security and uptime than traditional forms of network architecture. Since edge computing distributes processing, storage, and applications across a wide range of devices and data centers, it is much more difficult for any single disruption, such as a DDoS attack, to take down the entire network. To avoid any downtime, data can be rerouted through multiple pathways to ensure users retain access to the products and information they need.
To ensure a successful edge deployment, data center operators must upgrade operational infrastructure to accommodate modern requirements which includes implementing an infrastructure management tool. The ideal infrastructure management solution should provide complete visibility across all locations, all resources, and all connections, support connectivity to ensure standardized and harmonized network operations, and facilitate network planning to optimize capacity and resource utilization.
FNT’s management solutions deliver all of the features and capabilities needed for a successful edge deployment, including:
- Managing space, power, and cooling for all core and edge data center sites
- Analyzing, planning, and documenting all active and passive infrastructure
- Providing end-to-end visibility of device relationships to effectively manage equipment rollout, operations, maintenance, and decommissioning
- Auto-routing of connections and signal tracing throughout the entire network
- Managing different types of transport network services and external provider connectivity
FNT provides complete visibility and transparency throughout the entire data center and associated networks with a single, integrated data model that spans the data center, telecommunications network, and IT infrastructure. With all physical, logical, and virtual resources as well as their connections encompassed within a central inventory, data center operators can manage their entire environment as a homogenous entity while still being able to control individual locations.
Oliver Lindner, senior consultant for server management at FNT Software, recently discussed how to successfully deploy and manage edge data centers in Data Center Dynamics. Read his full article here.
