Are You Overcomplicating Your Edge Server Storage?

Published On: 7th July 2023//3.5 min read//Tags: , , , , , //

As cities become smarter, vehicles become autonomous, and technology permeates every aspect of our lives, enterprise-generated data continues to migrate away from the traditional datacenter to distributed sites, also known as the network edge.

According to Gartner research, roughly 10% of enterprise-generated data is created and processed at the edge, with this number predicted to jump to 75% by 20251 — a massive increase compared to previous estimates.

But technology evolution, and increases in data traffic and storage requirements haven’t come without a new set of challenges to tackle. The biggest? Organizations of all sizes are faced with finding new ways to manage the growing volume of data at the edge, putting immense pressure on the small, remote, sites which process and store it. This is creating a lose-lose dilemma for most: pay through the nose for IT infrastructure capable of sending large amounts of data back to HQ or the cloud, or move processing closer to where the data is being created – at the network edge.

Edge computing deployment options

While throwing in datacenter-class equipment may seem like the obvious fix in theory – it’s designed to handle big data and has the processing power – it’s far from the answer.

Datacenter-class solutions are costly, making deployment across multiple sites unrealistic for the majority of large enterprises, let alone small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) whose budgets are far smaller. Additionally, the majority of edge locations have conditions that are simply too harsh for this equipment to tolerate.

Similarly, deploying IT infrastructure to send data back to the main datacenter creates network latency and bandwidth-related QoS challenges. For devices requiring 100% uptime like smart traffic lights, medical devices, or automated vehicles, delay like this simply cannot be tolerated.

Further reading: Five Factors to Consider for Edge Computing Deployment

Edge storage needs an edge server

Dedicated edge computing solutions provide a third option. An edge server is a dedicated piece of hardware, built to address the typical challenges faced at edge locations. Generally smaller, more resistant to heat, dust and external shocks, with greater security and more networking options for connectivity. This often comes at a cost, but one that may well be necessary for locations that absolutely require 100% uptime in poor conditions.

Take, for example, a remote power station supplying electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes. It cannot afford to have its vital monitoring applications go offline. But connectivity is poor, and conditions in the power station are a far cry from a pristine datacenter. In these circumstances, a dedicated edge server appliance is the perfect fit. But that isn’t always the case with every organization. Use cases and priorities differ. Read this blog to see why dedicated edge appliances aren’t always the answer.

The Lenovo ThinkSystem SE350 Edge Server with StorMagic SvSAN

Designed to streamline edge computing storage, Lenovo’s revolutionary ThinkSystem SE350 Edge Server offers a game-changer solution to address storage-related challenges at the edge. This innovative solution is tailored to meet the unique demands of harsh edge computing environments while delivering exceptional scalability, flexibility, and performance at a fraction of the cost of traditional datacenter solutions.
At the edge with Lenovo ThinkSystem SE350 and SvSAN
Purpose-built for edge computing environments, the ThinkSystem SE350 is designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high dust levels, and vibrations commonly found in distributed sites. Powerful, it’s designed to enable organizations to efficiently process and analyze data at distributed sites without the need for complex and costly datacenter infrastructure. The SE350 offers a lightweight footprint and exceptional power efficiency, enabling cost-effective on-site data processing while maintaining optimal performance. And with its compact form factor and versatile installation options, it can seamlessly integrate into any edge computing site, whether that’s a retail store, manufacturing floor, or even a healthcare clinic.

Furthermore, when combined with the cutting-edge capabilities of StorMagic SvSAN, organizations can create a highly available virtual environment for their edge sites.

Interested in discovering how your organization can meet the challenge of growing enterprise-generated data at distributed sites? Explore the full Lenovo SE350 and SvSAN solution brief below:

 

1 Gartner Insight: “What Edge Computing Means for Infrastructure and Operations Leaders“ by Rob van der Meulen, October 03, 2018.

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