edge computing

IoT, 5G Drive Growth of Edge Computing

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Edge computing has come a long way. Initially conceived as a way to address bandwidth issues for data traveling long distances, edge computing systems now focus largely on powering and processing Internet of Things (IoT) devices and applications. The continued explosion of IoT has contributed to the growth of edge computing, and has made it an essential aspect of IT topology.

Edge Computing 101

In a recent article, NetworkWorld discussed the origins of edge computing, stating that it essentially processes data closer to the place at which that data is either produced or consumed. That place is known as the “edge.” There are many benefits of processing data closer to its source, including faster processing, less lag time and lower costs for businesses and users.

IoT Has Sped the Growth of Edge Computing

The Internet of Things was one of the primary reasons for the move to the edge. IoT devices are continually delivering or receiving data to and from the cloud, and they typically generate huge amounts of data. And the category of IoT devices includes more than just your fitness tracker or smart thermostat. IoT devices are used in critical roles in industries such as power utilities, healthcare and manufacturing.

So as IoT has grown faster than anyone anticipated, edge computing has become an increasingly valuable tool. It will likely continue to expand as server and storage demands increase in the coming years.

How Will 5G Impact Edge Computing?

5G wireless technologies are being rolled out around the world, promising high bandwidth and low latency for applications. Shouldn’t this hinder the growth of edge computing? Exactly the opposite: many carriers are incorporating edge computing into their 5G offerings to offer even faster speeds. Therefore, as 5G is deployed, edge computing will continue its unprecedented growth, probably for years to come.

Ready to Move to the Edge?

Vaultas is a premier provider of edge colocation for cloud service providers. Our carrier neutral business model enables easy access and low latency, high capacity bandwidth. Further, our low power rates and proximity to major markets creates a low operating cost for maximum margins. Contact us to learn more.

Vaultas is a premier provider of IT solutions, providing data storage and backup, disaster recovery and business continuity services, hosting, colocation, cloud storage, data center consulting and more. Our data centers are located in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Alexandria and St. Cloud, MN, and Milwaukee, WI. Contact us to get started.

How to Choose a Colocation Facility

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As we discussed in our previous blog post, there are many benefits to choosing colocation instead of a traditional data center. These include lower cost, increased security and ease of access. Once you’ve made the decision to colocate your data and IT equipment, the next step is to actually find a colocation facility that meets your needs. How should that be done?

There are certain things to consider when choosing a colocation provider. We’ll go over a few below.

Still unsure of the process? Download our free colocation guide!

Location and Amenities:

Is the facility located close to the company’s office? If not, is it within driving distance of a major airport for easy access? Does it offer a comfortable work environment for IT technicians? Is it in a location that experiences severe weather, and if so, has it taken the proper precautions?

Security and Stability:

Is sufficient security (physical and virtual) in place? How often does the facility test its primary and backup power and cooling systems? Is the provider audited by a third party for data security, or take any additional data security measures? Is there a fire protection system in place?

Carrier Neutrality:

Is the provider carrier neutral, offering broad network choices and access to multiple internet service providers?

 

 

 

Scalability and Value Added Services:

Is there room to grow? Are additional services, like cloud or managed hosting, available for future use if business needs change?

Service Level Agreement:

Does the provider offer a strong SLA? If an issues arises, will you be able to immediately speak with a local engineer, or will you have to wait until the next business day?

Clearly, there are several concerns to keep in mind when choosing a colocation facility. Don’t be afraid to ask all of these questions and more. Your company’s data, applications and operations are its most important asset, and choosing a colocation facility that will protect them is key to your success.

For more information on colocation and how to choose a colocation facility that is right for your business, download our free colocation guide.

Vaultas offers colocation in our fault tolerant data centers, with access to our many world-class, redundant network and bandwidth providers. All of our colocation facilities are fitted with reliable IT infrastructure, access to many different cloud operators, storage providers and redundant networks. Every Vaultas site provides redundant electrical and cooling systems that are monitored 24 hours a day, offering the greatest protection and security available.

Want to learn more? Get in touch today.

Edge Computing is the Newest Trend in Hosting

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In our previous blog posts, we’ve discussed server hosting in detail – the different types and the benefits of server hosting. Today, we’ll cover one of the new and popular trends in the hosting word: edge computing.

Edge computing may seem like a complicated concept, but it’s really pretty simple. It entails a network of micro data centers that store or process the most critical data locally, and push less important data to a cloud storage warehouse or a central data center. This results in a smaller local footprint and faster processing times.

There are many benefits to edge computing, which can explain why it is growing so quickly in use and popularity.

 

Benefits of Edge Computing

  1. It’s more reliable in instances of breaches, outages or intermittent connectivity. This is a big plus for companies who are looking to implement or improve their disaster recovery and business continuity processes.
  2. It’s more secure, processing personal information locally instead of within the cloud.
  3. It’s faster, providing better response times for internet-connected devices.
  4. It can reduce costs, because it allows businesses to cost-effectively decide what information gets sent to which location.
  5. It gives a boost to businesses with multiple locations by allowing data processing to occur at the site while communicating with the home office.

Edge computing is especially beneficial for applications within the Internet of Things (IoT) – devices and objects with the ability to automatically transfer data over a network – which are growing in popularity. Edge computing allows for streaming data to be captured in the moment.  This can prevent devices from failing, and can also prevent defects, reroute traffic and optimize production and speed.

Ready to find a new hosting solution? Give Vaultas a call at 888-998-2858, or contact us online. With custom solutions to meet the most demanding IT needs, we’ll work with you to find the best hosting products for your business.

All About Edge Computing

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Edge computing has become one of the fastest-growing trends in data storage, cloud computing and hybrid IT. But what, exactly, is edge computing? Basically, it is what it sounds like: service providers that operate at the “edge” of existing data centers, rather than in a central data warehouse or in a cloud.

edge computing

To break it down a bit more, let’s examine edge computing from a historical standpoint. Initially, it began as an effort to improve web services for internet users who lived outside of large metropolitan areas like New York and San Francisco. By storing applications and content on servers closer to mid-size cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul, the literal “edge” of the internet was extended to those smaller markets.

So what does this mean for business and internet users? There are many advantages to edge computing. For applications within the Internet of Things (IoT) – devices, digital and mechanical machines, and objects with the ability to automatically transfer data over a network – edge computing allows for streaming data to be captured in the moment, which can prevent parts from failing, prevent defects, reroute traffic and optimize production.

In addition, businesses with multiple office locations can process data at the site while communicating with the home office.

In general, edge computing can improve processing speeds and ease pressure on network resources. This is because, depending on how they’re implemented, edge computing systems may process only the most time-sensitive data at the origin, and send less vital data to the cloud for analysis and data storage. This improves response time and conserves network resources.

There are some challenges, however, such as issues with security and network configuration. It will be interesting to see how these concerns are addressed as hybrid IT continues to grow in popularity and usefulness.

At Vaultas, we offer a wide variety of data solutions, cloud storage and hybrid IT that can be easily customized to meet the needs of your business. Contact us to for a free consultation to determine which data solution is right for you.