How to Build A High-performance Edge Data Centre?

The rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and 5G networks has driven exponential growth in data traffic, and traditional data centres are facing unprecedented pressure. Every second, hundreds of millions of devices generate and transmit huge data streams that need to be processed and stored quickly. However, when dealing with such a huge data load, traditional data centre architectures are gradually exposed to problems such as bandwidth bottlenecks, increased latency, and insufficient processing power. This dramatic growth in data flow is forcing traditional data centres to constantly adjust and upgrade to avoid becoming a constraint on the development of the digital age.

What is An Edge Data Centre?

An edge data centre is a micro data centre deployed close to the source of data generation or the user end. Unlike traditional large centralised data centres, edge data centres can process and store data close to the data source. This distributed architecture makes data processing more efficient, reduces data transmission latency, and reduces the burden on the core network. By processing data close to the data source, edge data centres not only improve the user experience, but also provide the necessary support for real-time applications and low-latency services.

What are the Benefits of Using An Edge Data Centre?

Compared with traditional data centres, edge data centres have the following advantages:

• 1. Reduce Data Transmission Latency: Since data is processed close to the source, users can get faster response speeds. This is especially critical for applications with extremely high real-time requirements such as online games, smart manufacturing, and autonomous driving.

• 2. Reduce the Pressure on the Core Network: Edge data centres can process and filter data at the edge and only transmit necessary information to the core data centre, thereby effectively optimising the utilisation of network bandwidth and reducing the load on the core network.

• 3. Improve Data Security and Privacy Protection: Data can be processed and stored locally, and sensitive information does not have to be transmitted over long distances, which reduces the risk of interception or leakage of data during transmission.

These advantages make edge data centres an important solution to meet the needs of modern data-intensive applications.

How Do Enterprises Deploy Edge Data Centres?

• 1. Evaluate Business Needs and Application Scenarios

• First, enterprises need to clarify the business needs of deploying edge data centres and analyse the application scenarios that need to be supported, such as the Internet of Things, video surveillance, content distribution, etc.

• Understand the specific requirements of these applications for latency, bandwidth, and processing power, and evaluate whether the existing network infrastructure can support these requirements.

• 2. Choose the Right Edge Location

• Determine the best deployment location for the edge data centre based on business needs. Generally, edge data centres should be close to data generation sources or major user groups to reduce data transmission delays.

• The choice of location also needs to consider the quality of network connections, the stability of power supply, and the availability of physical space.

• 3. Design Network Architecture and Connection Solutions

• Design a network architecture for edge data centres that can support efficient data transmission and ensure efficient connections with core data centres and other edge nodes.

• Use low-latency, high-bandwidth connection solutions, such as optical fibre or 5G networks, to ensure fast data transmission. At the same time, ensure network redundancy to improve system reliability.

• 4. Deploy Computing and Storage Resources

• Select appropriate computing and storage devices for deployment according to the application scenarios and workload requirements. Edge data centres usually need to support containerisation or virtualization technology to flexibly manage resources.

• Ensure that the equipment can meet the needs of data processing and has good scalability to cope with future business growth.

• 5. Implement Security Protection Measures

• Edge data centres are usually located at the edge of the external network and are more vulnerable to attacks, so strong security protection measures need to be deployed.

• Including firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), data encryption, etc., and strict access control of devices to ensure data security and privacy protection.

• 6. Perform Performance Monitoring and Optimisation

• After deployment, enterprises need to continuously monitor the performance of edge data centres to ensure that they can operate stably and efficiently.

• Regularly analyse traffic data and system logs, identify potential bottlenecks and problems, and make corresponding optimisation adjustments to maintain the best operating status.

Through the above steps, enterprises can successfully deploy edge data centres, maximise their advantages in low-latency data processing, network optimisation, and data security, and ensure business stability and continued growth.

FS Edge Data Centre Solution In Action

FS uses PicOS® switches and AmpCon™ unified management platform to build a typical three-layer network architecture, build a high-bandwidth, stable, easy-to-manage, and secure enterprise network, greatly improve user experience, and improve enterprise production efficiency.

In the actual deployment of FS enterprise network edge data centre solutions, the specific solutions are shown in the following aspects:

• 1. Access Layer Deployment: The servers and storage devices of the edge data centre are directly connected to the access layer switches, such as the S3410 and S3910 series. These switches quickly transmit the massive data generated by the access layer to the aggregation layer, thereby realising local processing of data.

• 2. Aggregation Layer and Core Layer: Through the S5860 series switches, the edge data centre is further connected to the core layer and external networks. These switches support high-bandwidth and low-latency 100G and 40G links to ensure fast transmission and processing of data between different network layers.

• 3. Distributed Micro Data Centres: These data centres are distributed at multiple access points in the campus, and are seamlessly connected to other hierarchical network devices through high-speed optical modules and optical fibre cables to form a distributed edge computing network that supports efficient local data processing.

• 4. Network Optimisation and Security: The solution integrates the AmpCon™ management platform to provide comprehensive network optimisation and security management to ensure efficient collaboration between the edge data centre and the overall campus network.

At the same time, there are also indispensable product highlights in this solution:

• 1. PicOS® Switches: In architecture, PicOS® switches make network management and configuration easier by supporting flexible software-defined networking (SDN) functions. These switches play a key role in the access layer and aggregation layer, providing high-performance connections for terminal devices and ensuring efficient processing and transmission of data in the edge data centre.

• 2. AmpCon™ Management Platform: Through the AmpCon™ management platform, network administrators can monitor and manage the entire campus network in real time to ensure seamless collaboration between the edge data centre and the core data centre. The platform provides a unified network view, supports automated configuration and fault detection, and greatly improves operation and maintenance efficiency.

• 3. High-speed Optical Module: The solution uses QSFP and SFP series optical modules (SFP-10GSR-85, QSFP-SR4-40G, QSFP-SR4-100G). QSFP-SR4-100G supports up to 100G bandwidth connection, achieving high-speed and low-latency data transmission, and enhancing the overall performance and reliability of the network.

This deployment method not only meets the access needs of densely populated devices in the park, but also improves the data processing speed and overall network performance through localised processing and distributed architecture, fully meeting the diverse needs of modern park networks.

Conclusion

The deployment of edge data centres can significantly improve the efficiency of campus networks, especially in terms of reducing latency and optimising bandwidth utilisation. With the rapid development of IoT and 5G technology, edge data centres will become key nodes for data processing and storage, further promoting the popularisation of intelligent applications and improving network performance. Looking to the future, innovations in edge data centre intelligence, scalability, and sustainability will bring more opportunities to enterprises.

If you are facing the challenge of optimising enterprise network performance, edge data centre deployment will be an ideal choice to improve network efficiency and user experience. FS.com has deep industry experience and leading technology solutions to tailor-make high-performance edge data centre deployment solutions for you. Whether it's design, implementation or ongoing technical support, we're committed to helping you achieve your business goals and stay ahead of the competition. Please feel free to contact FS.com for more professional advice and service support.