Modern Applications Require a Modern Definition of the Edge

July 22, 2022
Decentralization, cloud-native applications, hybrid cloud, containerization, and composable infrastructure are all critical to meeting the needs of modern applications. A new white paper from DartPoints outlines five new realities at the edge.

Decentralization, cloud-native applications, hybrid cloud, containerization, and composable infrastructure are all critical to meeting the needs of modern applications. A new white paper from DartPoints outlines five new realities at the edge.

Get the full report.

According to a new white paper from DartPoints, the data center industry’s definition of “the edge” is evolving thanks to the demands of modern applications. DartPoints explains that connectivity timing at the edge is one area driving change.

Gaming applications and applications that use AI and machine learning are demanding significantly more real-time data than has historically be handled at the edge. “In these applications, data isn’t just being consumed at the end of its route,” the paper says. “It’s being brought back to the core data center, processed, and then pushed back to either a sensor or end application to make a modification—and the expectation for this relay is that it happens in real time.”

DartPoints also explains how edge applications are shifting reliability requirements. They say, “the next generation of edge applications require extremely low recovery point objectives and recovery time objectives— often so low that they are near impossible to meet in many regions and will continue to become more demanding.”

“For network business continuity and disaster recovery, acceptable downtime will soon be almost zero.” – DartPoints, “From Cloud-Native Applications to Composable Infrastructure: 5 New Realities at the Edge

This redefinition of “the edge” is leading to five new realities, according to DartPoints. First, they explain that decentralization will become a key characteristic of the new edge. “Next-generation technology will eventually necessitate the bandwidth and transfer times afforded by a decentralized network setup,” according to the author.

The second new reality discussed in the paper explores how cloud-native applications will be a big piece of the puzzle when it comes to preparing for the modern edge.

Hybrid clouds, containerization, and composable infrastructure are other realities that will be seen with the new edge, according to DartPoints. Regarding composable infrastructure, the paper notes that it “gives an organization the capacity to carry compute, storage, and networking in pools of resources in either a public or private cloud.”

DartPoints also explores some of the challenges organization have when creating the right software development and moving it in the cloud, including identifying gaps in infrastructure.

Download the full report to lean more about the five new realities at the edge.

About the Author

Kathy Hitchens

Kathy Hitchens has been writing professionally for more than 30 years. She focuses on the renewable energy, electric vehicle, utility, data center, and financial services sectors. Kathy has a BFA from the University of Arizona and a MBA from the University of Denver.  

Sponsored Recommendations

Guide to Environmental Sustainability Metrics for Data Centers

Unlock the power of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting in the data center industry with our comprehensive guide, proposing 28 key metrics across five categories...

The AI Disruption: Challenges and Guidance for Data Center Design

From large training clusters to small edge inference servers, AI is becoming a larger percentage of data center workloads. Learn more.

A better approach to boost data center capacity – Supply capacity agreements

Explore a transformative approach to data center capacity planning with insights on supply capacity agreements, addressing the impact of COVID-19, the AI race, and the evolving...

How Modernizing Aging Data Center Infrastructure Improves Sustainability

Explore the path to improved sustainability in data centers by modernizing aging infrastructure, uncovering challenges, three effective approaches, and specific examples outlined...

NicoElNino / Shutterstock

How Can Data Center Managers Handle Explosive Growth Driven By AI and ML?

Marc Caiola, Vice President of Global Data Solutions at nVent, explains how leveraging the right cooling and power technologies can help data centers manage the growth of AI and...

White Papers

Get the full report.

From Console to Cloud

April 7, 2022
This white paper from Iron Mountain explores the current challenges, drivers, and opportunities for gaming digital infrastructure.