Edge Datacenter What is an edge datacenter?
An edge data center is closer to end users or devices, reducing data transit time and latency. Applications needing real-time processing or minimal latency benefit from local data handling. Edge data centers optimize data distribution and user experience by supporting IoT devices, autonomous cars, and content delivery networks.
- How does an edge datacenter work?
- What are the benefits of using an edge datacenter? What are the challenges?
- How is an edge datacenter different from other datacenters?
- HPE and edge datacenters
How does an edge datacenter work?
The edge datacenter functions as a connection between multiple networks, where the edge datacenter becomes an internet exchange point for a requesting device (e.g., mobile phone, laptop, etc.). In essence, edge datacenters become a conduit for multiple network and service providers to access localized compute resources, especially for cloud-driven functions like edge computing and machine learning (ML).
Edge datacenters are located closer to the users and their devices that collect and transmit data, or wherever data is being generated. Typically, they are powered by edge caching—hardware- or software-based components that temporarily store data in order to increase computing response time. Often, these components appear as micro-datacenters (MDCs), a modular system designed for workloads that can occur outside the centralized datacenter that can be scaled for specific needs. MDC components can include mobile so-called fog computing, which uses the cloud and data storage infrastructure to move data to preferred areas, or mobile edge computing (i.e., cloudlets), small cloud datacenters designed for mobile applications and devices.
Ultimately, edge datacenters are designed to turn collected data into usable insights, whether that’s enabling automated capabilities or processes like cybersecurity and threat analysis or gaining insight into device or infrastructure performance.
