For many of us, what we called “working from home” before the Pandemic is now simply considered “working.” That means, of course, the applications that once supported end-users in the office need to perform just as well remotely.
This need has given rise to edge computing, where the server moves closer to the user instead of vice versa. And while the push to place more servers in more locations is indeed new, the concept of putting them close to or at the point of data collection is not.
To better understand, let’s examine how today’s edge computing migration is new and how it’s not, and how all of it may be relevant to your next edge deployment.
The Edge – Why It’s New
We tend to associate the edge with new technology because companies of all kinds are using their latest technology to define it. So, for example, all sorts of providers, from wearable devices, to network appliances, and cell services, may all say they sell edge products.
While, as one can see, no precise definition for the edge exists, companies’ motivations for moving to compute power closer to users seem more apparent. Users need access to better-performing applications, whether they perform their jobs at home, on the shop floor, or in the operating room. And, at the same time, IT leaders, whether focused on security, productivity, or AI, need more robust data collection.
These motivations and more drive the need for more servers in more places to allow for the lowest possible latency and most comprehensive data collection. Therefore, the edge represents newer applications running from physically closer to users than ever by this definition.
The Edge – Why It’s Not New
Still, even though edge servers are being leveraged in new and creative ways, the presence of processing power close to or at the point of data collection is not new.
One interpretation of edge computing’s origins is content delivery networks or CDNs. As streaming services like Spotify and Netflix began to replace radio and traditional cable, they needed ways to deliver their content reliably and fast. No one would pay for monthly service if they had to stare at a download screen for too long. Therefore, these companies began designing networks (often with the help of cloud vendors) that stored valuable data in high-bandwidth locations closer to their customers.
However, today, streaming video is one of many edge use cases, and cloud providers may not always provide the best performing method for delivering other applications. After all, they have their own bandwidth and processing constraints. Therefore, many companies are instead deploying servers into private physical locations – a strategy that makes the selection, configuration, and maintenance of hardware crucial.
The good news is that there’s a precedent for locating hardware outside the data center and cloud known as embedded computing. While the term may bring to mind integrated circuit boards into medical or specialized manufacturing equipment, it also has entailed, for years, the use of entire servers to process data. So, for example, a local server may be necessary to provide the real-time, precise body imagery a surgeon requires to perform a medical procedure.
Similarly, machine operators may be assisted by servers on the shop floor to perform complex manufacturing tasks that require the utmost precision. In both cases, servers are performing vital functions in locations outside the data center or cloud. Therefore, in a sense, edge computing has been taking place for decades – just without some of today’s advances.
Today’s Edge Servers
Today’s edge servers are often promoted based on their resistance to the elements like adverse temperatures and dust. Offering flexible form factors, they can be found anywhere from oil rigs to restaurant back rooms. Still, for edge deployments, one should also consider a server’s configuration. Given that edge locations aren’t usually as accessible as data centers, the machines that reside there must be easy to deploy and manage.
Therefore, successful edge computing is not just about selecting the best equipment but using the right hardware partner to bring them to life – one for whom an edge deployment isn’t necessarily new but more of an extension of work they’ve already done. Essentially, for an experienced integrator, computing at the edge should not be ‘cutting edge.’
Dedicated Computing – From Embedded to the Edge and Beyond
For over a decade, Dedicated Computing has served the embedded computing market. They design, develop, and deploy advanced computing platforms to support OEMs within the Healthcare, Life Sciences, Military/Government, Commercial, and Industrial Automation markets. Based on decades of market expertise for leveraging Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technology and customized engineering, DC platforms are designed for long life, product consistency, are environmentally hardened, and supported by a complete service offering to deliver lifecycle and remote management services.
To leverage Dedicated Computing’s capabilities during this unprecedented time, request a meeting with one of our experts today.
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