Experienced IT managers have a well-defined strategy for scaling data center capacity. This helps them ensure there’s enough physical space, power, cooling capacity, and network bandwidth to meet increasing user and application demands without overprovisioning resources.
When it comes to Internet of Things (IoT) applications, however, it’s difficult to prepare. An exploding number of devices are suddenly connecting to the network, continually collecting and sending data. This puts a significant strain on the IT infrastructure.
The edge computing model can help relieve the strain. By moving compute and storage resources closer to IoT devices, organizations can reduce the amount of data that must be transmitted to the data center for processing. IoT applications become more efficient and deliver more value through real-time analytics.
Advantages and Disadvantages of IoT
The IoT ecosystem consists of network-connected devices that use sensors, processors, and other embedded systems to send and act on the data they gather. They can communicate with each other and other systems and perform a wide range of tasks without human intervention.
Benefits of IoT
The proliferation of the Internet of Things has transformed enterprise decision-making by arming businesses with a wealth of granular, actionable data. These newfound insights enable business operators to make data-informed decisions when it comes to things such as employee productivity, supply chain management, quality assurance, and sales enablement.
IoT Use Cases
Top IoT use cases include staff and inventory tracking, remote monitoring, fleet and asset management, safety and security, infrastructure and facilities management, energy optimization, and predictive maintenance.
Challenges of IoT
IoT’s advantages far outweigh its disadvantages. However, IoT does bring some unique challenges. It can be difficult to design, implement, and manage an IoT framework, and deploying and maintaining IoT devices is often costly and time-consuming. The IoT ecosystem is complex, with many points of failure, and heavily reliant on network connectivity.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Edge Computing
The edge computing concept has been equally, if not more, transformative to modern business and networking as IoT.
Benefits of Edge Computing
In addition to reducing latency and improving application response times, edge computing can save money by reducing network bandwidth requirements and cloud storage capacity. Edge computing also takes pressure off the centralized data center, reduces the security risks associated with data transfers, and facilitates regulatory compliance by storing data locally.
Challenges of Edge Computing
Successful implementation of edge computing does come with potential challenges to overcome. The most prominent being it requires investments in edge resources. Many applications require fairly powerful servers and a substantial amount of storage. The edge data center must have enough power and cooling resources to support this IT equipment.
Edge computing also creates management headaches. IT personnel must monitor and maintain multiple remote locations rather than one centralized data center.
More information on how edge computing works, use cases, and examples.
IoT and Edge Computing
Moving large volumes of IoT data to a data center or the cloud for processing requires significant bandwidth and creates latency that can hinder real-time decision-making. For example, if IoT sensors are being used to monitor equipment at a plant, the data they collect must be processed in real-time to ensure safe, optimal operation.
That’s why IoT applications need to move to the edge of the network.
Benefits of Edge Computing in IoT
Edge computing makes it possible to process IoT data closer to the source, reducing network bandwidth requirements and minimizing latency. Even if IoT data is ultimately sent to the data center for more complex analysis, preliminary processing and filtering at the source can optimize the process.
IoT and Edge Computing Use Cases
Edge computing can support a number of IoT use cases. Autonomous vehicles are a prime example — data must be processed locally for the near-instant response needed to ensure safety. The edge and IoT are also used for monitoring oil and gas equipment, supporting smart grid technologies, and monitoring patients in the hospital.
Learn more about edge data centers.
Getting the Edge Data Center Right
The Enconnex EdgeRack micro data center cabinets provide the IT infrastructure you’ll need in one integrated cabinet. Equipped with power, cooling, monitoring, and a UPS, EdgeRacks are ready to be outfitted with your edge computing technology and deployed almost anywhere. Let the experts at Enconnex help you take advantage of the edge model to enhance the strategic and operational advantages of the IoT. Browse our selection of edge micro data centers for sale today and get in touch for more information.
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