How Edge Colocation Supports the Distributed Workforce

Gartner analysts project that by 2025, three-quarters of all data will be processed at the network edge. The objective is to minimize latency, improve application response times and preserve bandwidth in highly distributed computing environments. That’s easier said than done, however. Managing storage, compute, and networking resources across multiple geographic locations can quickly become complex and costly.

Edge colocation is an effective way to address those challenges. In this model, organizations lease data center space from third-party providers, removing the need to build, staff, and manage dozens or even hundreds of micro data centers. It is a particularly effective approach for accessing dynamic data center services in small, underserved markets.

As in more traditional colocation models that have been used for decades, edge colocation customers rent space for their own servers, storage, and other computing hardware. Providers, meanwhile, supply the data center infrastructure, including the physical building space, cooling, power, and physical security as well as a variety of telecommunications and network service connections. 

The Need for Speed

Because edge data centers require less infrastructure than traditional data centers, it is easier to deploy them near data collection points, even in areas that lack the data center and connectivity options available in larger markets. Pushing compute and storage resources closer to users eliminates the need to transmit data from collection points to cloud data centers for processing before it is returned to users.

The speed and performance gains enabled by short-hop data transmissions have been critical for supporting increasingly distributed workforces. By reducing the massive volumes of data moving through on-premises data centers, edge servers help improve the performance of the communication and collaboration applications that are so essential to remote and hybrid workers.

The ability to rapidly process data with local computing resources ranks as the leading reason for moving to edge colocation, according to CoreSite’s 2022 State of the Data Center Report. According to a report by Global Market Insights Inc, continued adoption is expected to drive edge colocation’s market value above $25 billion by 2028.

A Competitive Edge

Other benefits of edge colocation include:

• Reliability. By reducing the amount of traffic traversing over wide-area network (WAN) connections, processing at the edge relieves network congestion, decreases the load on internal infrastructure, and eliminates many points of failure on the network. 
• Scalability. Edge data centers have the same components as traditional data centers but in a smaller footprint. Because they have minimal space and power requirements, it becomes easier to add or subtract infrastructure as needed.
• Resilience. Edge data centers typically have limited or no IT staff. Remote monitoring, redundant hardware, automation, and self-healing features minimize the need for onsite service. Most can also failover to nearby nodes or the central data center if necessary.
• Customization. Because customers supply their own hardware, software, and system architecture in a colo arrangement, they have more control over the infrastructure than in a public cloud model.
• Connectivity. Providers typically offer enterprise-grade bandwidth with the option to contract with additional providers for redundant connectivity.
• Savings. Edge colocation eliminates capital expenses associated with building data centers. It also cuts connectivity costs by reducing the amount of data transmitted between the edge and the central data center.
• Innovation. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and analytics applications are built to analyze massive datasets to identify patterns and drive new business insights. Local analysis at the edge makes these apps more effective by eliminating latency associated with long-distance data transfers.

Edge colocation is a cost-effective way for organizations to extend their IT infrastructure in ways that create multiple benefits for organizations supporting increasingly decentralized workforces. Call the data center experts at Rahi to explore how edge colocation services can support your organization.