October/November/December 2020 I 29
• Reliability: High quality, standards-based solutions
are a critical first step to ensuring site reliability
where on-site IT and ICT personnel may not
be present. When reliable infrastructure design
reduces future network issues, that can be
considered a valuable foundational first step.
Preconfigured enclosure or cabinet offerings can
range from a simple package that includes a few standard
components to one that is specified by the end user
and built according to that spec, so it is ready to drop
into a remote site, plug in, and go. When setting up multiple
sites, this step can save considerable time and money
in labor costs. Although the organization will pay more
up front for the convenience of having the enclosure preconfigured,
time and labor usually are reduced during
installation. If a technician or installer is required to travel
to the site to oversee or complete the installation, travel
and perhaps other expenses need to be considered
as well.
Because edge sites typically do not have dedicated
on-site IT and ICT personnel, remote management is a crucial
capability, and consistency in deployments favorably
impacts that ability. When every site is exactly the same,
remote troubleshooting becomes easier. A technician can
talk local personnel, who may not be trained in IT/ICT,
through a series of steps to rectify a problem. Also, system-
wide upgrades can be made, even by untrained personnel,
with a single clear set of instructions based on the
common architecture and layout used in all instances.
Intelligent Solutions
Intelligent solutions play a fundamental role in edge
installations. They support remote monitoring and management,
along with security, environmental controls,
and power delivery. Intelligence can take many forms,
including systems that monitor connections within the
enclosure, temperature monitoring and control, security
access, and power distribution. Smart power distribution
units (PDUs) support many of these functions, as well
as sensors, intelligent patch panels and patch cords, and
even intelligent door handles.
One of the fundamental needs of a data center
is security in order to prevent unauthorized access to both
data and equipment. In traditional data centers, security
is managed by door locks and control systems that limit
access. With an EDC that is contained in an enclosure
on the factory floor, within a trailer near a mining site
or in the manager’s office in a retail store, that same level
of security is not always possible. A variety of systems are
available that control access, whether from enclosure
Specifically, infrastructure
serves as building blocks
that address consistency,
reliability, security, and
remote management.
• Security: Edge environments are not traditional
IT spaces. Controlling physical access ensures that
authorized personnel can access the systems, while
the curious passerby and nefarious characters
are deterred.
• Remote Management: Intelligent infrastructure
solutions deliver crucial oversight for remote
installations. Remotely monitor, manage, and
control physical and environmental conditions,
thereby limiting the need for on-site visits.
The specific infrastructure solutions that form these
building blocks include:
Preconfigured Solutions
When organizations have multiple sites, whether they are
across town or on the other side of the globe, it is beneficial
to have consistent layout, architecture, and footprint
at each of those deployments. The benefits include simplified
ordering, speed and consistency of deployment, and
ease of remote management. That consistency is achieved
by preconfiguring the enclosure prior to arrival on site.
This could use enclosures that are purchased preconfigured
from a vendor or configured at a central site before
being deployed around the globe.