BackOpinion | Rise of the edge and the data centres of tomorrow
Enterprises looking to capitalise on this data opportunity and make the most of advanced technologies such as AI and IoT must have the infrastructure to meet the need for real-time processing and low-latency responsiveness
PremiumMore so than ever, the world around us is undergoing digital transformation. Much of the data that lies at the heart of this new digital economy will require real-time analysis, due to the increasingly widespread adoption of next-generation technologies such as connected cars and smart manufacturing. According to IDC's The Digitization of the World – From Edge to Core report sponsored by Seagate, by 2025 each connected person will have at least one data interaction every 18 seconds, and real-time data will increase 30-fold – equivalent to almost one-fifth of the global Datasphere.
Enterprises looking to capitalise on this data opportunity and make the most of advanced technologies such as AI and IoT must have the infrastructure to meet the need for real-time processing and low-latency responsiveness. They must build on their central cloud computing architecture and develop the ability to process as well as securely store more data at the edge.
An Additional New Role for the Data Centre
The large traditional data centre has been the mainstay of computing and connectivity networks for more than half a century, but mobility, technological advancements and economic demand mean businesses will increasingly add edge elements to this essential core.
As more devices come online and begin churning out zettabytes of data, the centralised cloud will need support from the edge – impacting the size and location of data centres that are built in the future.
The huge data centre model won’t become obsolete, and will still be used for a wide range of functions. However, the rise of edge computing means large centralised data centres could be supported by more storage hubs in regional markets and smaller cities, as well as micro data centres at the edge of the network in unconventional locations, such as parking lots and at the base of telephone towers. As more computing power and storage are needed to handle rapidly growing numbers of edge applications, it makes sense to place these edge data centres on top of existing infrastructure.
A New Network from the Old
These edge data centres will be characterised by their remote-operability, location and relatively smaller size. They will be self-contained, highly-integrated, and compact. To minimize service trips, additionally edge data centres must function with no humans on site, which requires new kinds of remote monitoring and AI-based automation.
Growing numbers of data centres, though, means storage and security imperatives are more widely distributed, too. Businesses will demand that the same level of performance and security they enjoy from centralised data centres is replicated in this more distributed future.
For this to happen, security and storage solutions must be considered at the start of planning processes and not tacked on at the end once new models are ready to roll out. Establishing a trusted network of devices and data at the edge will ensure the security and providence of data as edge applications develop.
The edge and cloud are not mutually exclusive – the future will be about both working together to help businesses make smarter decisions instantly and drive up productivity, efficiency and customer satisfaction. Data created at the edge cannot remain at the edge because the edge has limits in scale, flexibility, and manageability. Edge-driven systems will have to work alongside the cloud, and the huge data centre model will still thrive and be vital to all kinds of businesses. As demand for edge devices and applications increases, this part of the network could see exponential growth.
B.S. Teh is Senior Vice President of Global Sales Operations for Seagate Technology
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