TECHNOLOGY
SMARTEDGE DC
62
One of the proposed solutions to delivering distributed data centre technology is micro data centres : networks of shippingcontainer-sized data centre nodes that together establish a hyperfast , low-latency network at the edge . While some edge deployment models advocate for attaching micro data centres to 5G and LTE cell network towers , other findings indicate that the majority of cell tower locations lack the necessary power to support even micro data centres . between data centre networks and telecommunications providers . SmartEdge is deploying a “ Mesh Network ” of 100 of these micro data centres , with 6.3MW of power in the UK ’ s 100 most highly-populated towns and cities . The locations of these data centres have also been chosen because of their feasibility as 5G mast locations as well , and SmartEdge will be erecting powered and fibre connected , 5G-enabling mobile telephone masts at selected sites , allowing mobile operators to install equipment directly to the edge .
One UK startup , SmartEdge , is reverse engineering that thought process to potentially change the country ’ s data centre landscape , and redefine the ongoing relationship
“ The edge is a location – it ’ s the edge of a network , and the only way of delivering is you ’ ve got to have them replicate what happened with mobile phones ,” said Peter Hewkin , founder of SmartEdge , in an interview with Computer Weekly . AUGUST 2020