Edge computing is quickly gaining momentum as more and more organizations take advantage of high-speed processing at a very local level, with the goal of optimizing use of data to improve operations. The military, manufacturing/industrial, retail, telecom, financial service, healthcare, transit...just about any type of organization is moving to the Edge to enable them to leverage data faster, save money, free up bandwidth and improve overall operational efficiencies.
Each Edge deployment comes with its own unique scaling, cooling and safety needs, and there’s certainly no “one-size-fits-all” solution. When designing your Edge system, several factors need to be considered, and we’ve outlined some of the most important below.
But first, a definition: the Rittal Edge is on the factory floor, in the distribution center, the transit facility. It is next to a highway, down a shaft, out at sea. The physical location of The Edge is as close to the processes and applications controlling critical processes. It is not in a data space; it is standalone and exposed to a multitude of threats – physical, cyber and human. This Edge is where the critical factors described below are vital to a successful deployment.
Scaling to accommodate future demands means designing a deployment that’s flexible – one to which you can quickly add accessories, reconfigure the enclosure (sometimes called a cabinet) to accept sizes of equipment, compartmentalize so that IT and power equipment can be installed in the same enclosure, and apply appropriate cooling methods as needed.
Modular enclosure solutions make scaling for The Edge even easier. These are essentially building blocks, made of components that can be rearranged without the need to cut or weld as you execute changes. Ease of reconfiguration to support adding new equipment to a modular enclosure, even if their dimensions are different from what’s already in the enclosure, becomes a simple task often accomplished without tools.
Some enclosures take simplicity a step further. Rittal’s modular enclosure options are available with common accessories pre-installed, making it possible to even more quickly scale to meet specifications. Cooling, cable management and PDU solutions come built in, making these enclosures a smart and efficient way to grow an Edge data center.
New Edge deployments often call for investments in infrastructure to satisfy power and redundancy requirements. For example, a facility may need to add a backup generator, transformer, and switchgear; some deployments, like those in remote locations, may need high-voltage, three-phase electricity run to the site. Identify gaps by doing a thorough assessment of your facility’s current infrastructure as you prepare for a successful Edge deployment.
Infrastructure also includes security, both environmental and physical. It may be necessary to meet existing corporate or jurisdictional standards and to include them in the Edge installation.
The most efficient system for your needs is going to be the one that is matched to the heat output of the racks, that provides adequate air flow to each rack, and that maintains the required temperature and humidity levels. Additionally, the climate control solution must also allow for environmental factors at the installation site – temperature extremes, solar loading if outdoors, exposure to the elements. As you evaluate your cooling options, we recommend looking at these primary factors:
Based on the factors above and others you’ll need to consider, one of the best cooling solutions for Edge deployments will be a closed loop liquid cooling system. Here are just some of the advantages:
In addition to securing the facility and individual enclosures to prevent unwarranted access, fire detection and suppression features within the enclosures are important, too. For continued equipment operation, it’s critical that the extinguishing medium does not affect the electronics, so the medium must be non-conductive and leave no residue.
Several other factors will influence how your Edge system is designed and the features you look for in your rack enclosures. Learn more about all that’s involved in bringing data closer to where it’s needed by downloading our free guide, “Industry 4.0 is Moving to the Edge.”