What is the edge? Depending on whom you ask, their definition may be different. This blog will discuss the differences between the edge, near and far edge, network edge, network core, and edge computing. Additionally, I will discuss the edge and the benefits it brings to colocation data centers’ ecosystem of IT providers and customers.
Data Center Components
The heart of an organization begins with a data center. The main components of a data center are computing power, storage, and network. Computing power to run applications, storage capacity to process data, and the network to connect with other IT providers and end-users.
Data Center and the Cloud
The role of the data center in cloud computing is to provide the resources to store and manage data, including housing and powering the physical infrastructure, as well as managing and securing the data. The cloud involves delivering hosted services over the Internet. The different types of clouds include private, public, and hybrid clouds.
Network Core
The network core is the backbone of the data center. It is the conduit that connects and transfers network traffic at high speeds using switches and routers that link to other data centers.
What and Where is the Edge?
The edge refers to keeping data close to the edge of the Internet, near end users, allowing them to integrate with more centralized applications in the public cloud or corporate data centers. Edge data centers like Netrality have a dense carrier provider ecosystem, offering connectivity to deliver critical business services.
Edge Computing
Edge computing processes and analyzes data in the same location as the data is created. The data doesn’t need to go back via the cloud; it remains within the exact spot where it was first generated. Edge computing brings the processing and analyzing of data closer to the source. It splits data between the user’s device and the cloud, not allowing data to leave the device. This increases speed, decreases latency and is more reliable and secure for mission-critical data.
Near Edge and Far Edge
Near-edge data centers are traditional data centers close to end-users providing low latency and increased speed to compute and process data. Far-edge data centers are comprised of micro data centers, usually at the base of cell towers, farthest from cloud data centers, and closest to end-users.
Network Edge
The network edge is where a device or computer network connects to the Internet. The edge is the entry point to the network where devices communicate with the Internet. Networks may have more than one network edge located in data centers.
Benefits of Edge Computing
> Faster speeds and Ultra Low-Latency. Edge computing is done directly on devices which increases speed and decreases latency
> Increased Reliability. A failure with one edge device won’t affect other devices. They work independently, therefore, increasing reliability
> Security. Data is processed directly in devices, not in the cloud, which increases security
> Agility and Scalability. Devices can be added or removed according to specific needs
> Reduces Cost. Companies save money by having data processed in devices, not in the cloud
Robust Ecosystem of IT Service Providers
Netrality’s partner ecosystem consists of carriers, cloud providers, content delivery networks, Internet service providers, and managed service providers, delivering best-in-class experiences to our data center customers. Network providers connect your company and end-users to the Internet. Internet exchanges allow Internet service providers and content delivery networks to exchange Internet traffic with one another on a cost-neutral basis. Cloud providers and content delivery networks benefit from the close proximity to multiple cables, local exchange carriers, and cellular networks in key markets. Managed service providers deliver services including network, application, infrastructure, and security to customers.
The Takeaway
There are many components and layers that comprise a data center, including the edge, near and far edge, network edge, network core, and edge computing. These components are intertwined and work together to ensure organizations stay competitive in today’s digitized landscape.
Netrality’s vendor-neutral interconnected data centers include network providers, cloud platforms, and other enterprises that house their infrastructure at our facilities and provide connectivity. We aggregate all north, south, east, and west traffic in our data centers through our carriers’ ultra-long-haul systems, backbone routers, and direct routes to other data centers in other cities.
Customers benefit when they connect directly to networks and cloud providers sharing their colocation space. Some advantages include cutting costs by eliminating local loop charges and bypassing the public Internet, diminishing the distance data travels, reducing latency, increasing efficiency, and directly connecting customers, thereby decreasing potential points of failure and improving reliability.
Contact us today to learn how Netrality Data Centers and our robust ecosystem of IT service providers will elevate your business to the next level!