The Tsunami Is Coming Get To the edge
By 2021, it is predicted that Internet of Things (IoT) devices will produce nearly 850 zettabytes of data annually. More than 40 times the information generated by the world's data centres.
The promise of IoT has always been that it will help you innovate, improve the customer experience, and optimise operations. However, with such a phenomenal amount of data being created, how do you manage it? How can you derive real-time insight? How do you keep your network unclogged? How do you keep costs from skyrocketing?
Enter edge and fog computing.
To help alleviate the issues noted above, it’s important to place data processing capabilities, especially for the most time-sensitive data, at the extremities of the network where it is generated, close to sensors, machines, and IoT devices. This is edge computing.
Just as the IoT devices will need processing at the edge of the network, the data they’re amassing will need analysis. Enter fog computing. It provides low-latency analytics at the endpoints. This reduces bandwidth requirements and the distance that the data has to travel to be analyzed, which equates to cost savings.
By shortening the distance between devices and the cloud resources that serve them, edge and fog computing can turn massive amounts of machine-based data into actionable intelligence.
As IoT devices and datasets expand, the challenges around data agility, security, cost efficiency, and movement become ever more complex and the need for a High Performance Computing (HPC) solution at the edge becomes more critical.
But what do you need to look for in an HPC solution?
Flexibility to switch: The HPC solution should feature a complete line of high-performance, highly reliable storage systems that can be deployed next to the cloud with the ability to use the hyperscaler of your choice - without sacrificing control of your data. You don’t need to be locked in to any one vendor, you can switch cloud providers at any time without costly data migrations.
Speed to burn: To keep your operations running smoothly, your storage must be able to keep pace with your compute power. Storage should be optimized for flash, and should include built-in technology that monitors workloads and automatically adjusts system parameters to maximize performance.
It never sleeps: In HPC environments, downtime of any kind is intolerable. The solution should offer nonstop reliability with a fault-tolerant design that delivers greater than 99.9999% availability. There should be built-in data assurance features to help increase data accuracy by avoiding drops, corruption, and missed bits—all the way from host to storage media.
Modular for easy deployment: The solution should be easy to install and manage as a single unit or expand to hundreds of units. A modular design will enable your IT staff to add performance and capacity without disruption or the need for complex deployments or migrations. Scripting allows dynamic replication, so you can spontaneously configure new systems for faster deployment and automate common tasks for easier management. The system should include proactive monitoring and support to automate issue resolution and reduce management overhead.
Counterparts Technology was established to offer genuine technology expertise with a high level of responsiveness and customisation in a world driven by technology innovation and change. The drivers for improved infrastructure performance and cost control exist in both on-premises and cloud environments. Achieving optimisation can be elusive but with our focus on the performance of individual applications and workloads, we can achieve up to a 30% increase in performance and a 30% reduction of infrastructure costs leveraging our Infrastructure Optimisation and Analytics tools.
If you would like to discuss your business goals or review your strategy, I can be contacted at greghunt@counterparts.com.