15/08/22

Decentralizing structures and organizing workloads according to business demands is one of the possible ways to optimize the usage of digital solutions. This is the case of Edge Computing, an approach that reduces the distances travelled by data, primarily aiming to minimize latency and network stability.

Given this scenario, it is noted that the preference for traditional Data Center, centralized in the company’s facilities, is in decline worldwide. In fact, Gartner estimates that by 2025, eight out of ten will be repositioned.

Instead, we will see the growth of hybrid architecture, which includes cloud applications, colocation services and small data centers located close to organizations. The latter, incidentally, is the basis of Edge Computing.

In this article, you will understand how this type of modern infrastructure provides essential gains in terms of productivity, availability and network capacity for your business.

Read the full article and learn how to benefit from this model.

Edge computing: shortening distances to mitigate latency

Undeniably, new resources based on new-generation technologies demand greater processing capacity from Data Centers.

However, waiting to load and view content in Augmented Reality, for example, can make a customer give up on the purchase. Or, in the case of the corporate work environment, a slow network can reduce team productivity.

Such scenario puts Edge Computing more in evidence. This is because it is a network composed of smaller Data Centers, capable of processing critical data locally. So, instead of sending them to a distant cloud, which would increase latency, the process takes place locally, at the “edge” of the company’s network (hence its name).

To give you an idea, according to a study carried out by Cisco, by 2023, we will have 14.7 billion M2M (machine to machine) connections worldwide. And its applications ask for a latency of fewer than 20 milliseconds (ms), below what is typically requested.

So, for this to occur, it is necessary to shorten the distances between three elements:

• computing,
• the data storage
• and users.

Therefore, as infrastructures and service offerings evolve, companies must seek solutions and approaches in line with this scenario. And two of those that are in the spotlight, according to Gartner‘s trend lists and projections: distributed cloud and Edge Computing.

The last one allows an approximation between the processing and the sources of information. Therefore, local traffic is prioritized and distributed to reduce latency.

Why Edge Computing

IDC consultancy released a survey highlighting Edge Computing as a way to optimize communication between connected devices and Data Centers. According to the institution, by 2025, there will be 55.9 billion gadgets generating 79 zettabytes of data.

By adopting the approach, IDC warns that companies must also prepare their infrastructure to use it properly. It is essential, for example, to think about fundamental aspects for the correct functioning of the operation, such as:

• Security: Defenses must be scaled up accordingly. It is crucial to make sure that all paths are protected (central data centers, edge devices and the endpoints themselves). IDC also highlights that Edge Computing is safer and more resilient, as the fact that it is decentralized prevents a single point of failure from existing;

• Cloud: The edge approach does not dispense with the use of cloud computing. The IT infrastructure must have intelligence capable of distributing workloads. Therefore, whenever it is necessary to use heavy applications, for example, the cloud is used. When it comes to something light, flow to edge computing;

• Internet of Things: Edge Computing gives machines greater autonomy, ensuring faster and more fluid communication. In addition, it also favours the capture of data, essential to support companies’ decision-making.

Rethink architecture to gain agility

The increasing use of cloud solutions has increased the demand for data center capacity. In addition, it has been stimulating the growing adoption of Edge Computing. As we have seen, all data processing, storage, control and management take place much closer to the users, elevating the responsiveness of applications.

Among the gains, productivity, efficiency, competitive advantages and significant improvements in the customer experience stand out. It is no wonder that Gartner and Forrester tout it as a fundamental approach to 5G network performance and also for activities on the rise, such as real-time gaming or live streaming.

However, to ensure such characteristics, it is crucial that Data Center providers contracted by the companies have flexible provisioning capacity and scalability. That allows storing and processing of data precisely in the places where they are demanded.

All this with agility, security and resilience. And in this sense, Edge Computing benefits a lot from colocation services. Hence the importance of rethinking the architecture of the network in a hybrid and strategic way.

Why Colocation?

In this context, as data is not transported to more distant Data Centers, Edge Computing demands local solutions. And that is precisely why colocation services stand out as a crucial solution.

This type of installation is capable of filling gaps between small automatized data centers, usually located close to cell phone antennas or hospitals, and large centralized infrastructures.

Therefore, as they are built in strategic locations, colocation facilities easily enable the deployment of servers in the vicinity of companies and end-users.

Colocation providers are more than infrastructure providers. They are strategic elements to improve the company’s performance as a whole”.

Source: Forrester

To have an idea, large companies that sell cloud services seek colocation to advance in specific markets without investing in their own structure (which would require more time and money).

Such environments are often well situated, taking advantage of low-latency connectivity and higher bandwidth.

According to Data Center Map, there are 65 colocation data centers in Brazil, most of which are located in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. This is a constantly growing segment.

All this with agility, security and resilience. And in this sense, Edge Computing benefits a lot from colocation services. Hence the importance of rethinking the architecture of the network in a hybrid and strategic way.

Source: Forrester

Advantages of edge computing for businesses

Besides being an important element in the network architecture, colocation also has different advantages for companies.

As they were designed to store the companies’ servers, they have adequate conditions for cooling and storage. They are also powered by continuous electrical energy and connectivity, which favours availability.

This will ensure that data is always accessible and protected, with backups triggered.

In addition, by adopting the solution, companies are able to reduce investment costs in assets and also in teams that would be destined to monitor these environments.

Conclusion

Reducing latency is essential to improve team performance, especially when working remotely, which allows for offering a more satisfying experience to customers and providing quality services. Edge Computing, in turn, makes just that possible by shortening distances in data traffic, reducing latency and increasing network availability and efficiency.

In this context, colocation appears as a solution capable of realizing this entire process, requiring smaller and less complex investments.

This is the reason why, as we have seen, companies can resort to ready-made, scalable buildings hired as a service, in addition to being strategically well located according to the organization’s needs.

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