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  2. IIJ’s data centers
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  5. Edge data centers
  6. Micro data centers

Micro data centers

In 2021, we started offering an edge data center solution that uses micro data centers (Micro Data Centers) to meet demand for indoor installations smaller than our co-IZmo series of containerized data centers.

Data Center Anywhere

Our concept in developing this solution was to provide micro data centers that require little effort to operate and that can be installed anywhere.

1. Easy to build/expand:

Can be started small at short notice, expanded in response to demand, and easily relocated.

2. Ease of operation:

No need for on-site IT staff thanks to the DCIM application that comes with Micro Data Center products and remote operation/maintenance services provided by IIJ.

3. Economical:

  • Monthly service (the equipment can also be purchased)
  • Low TCO compared with building server rooms
  • Energy-saving performance: PUE of 1.2*

*PUE (power usage effectiveness): A measure of how efficiently a data center uses power. Found by dividing a data center’s total power consumption by the power consumption of its ICT equipment (servers and the like). The closer PUE is to 1.0, the more efficiently the data center uses power.

What’s in a Micro Data Center

As the figure below illustrates, a micro data center squeezes all of the functionality necessary for a data center (server space, power supply, server cooling, security) into a space the size of a large refrigerator.

Zella Pro 25 (indoor model)

Micro Data Center use cases

The characteristics of micro data centers make them suitable not only for edge computing infrastructure but potentially for portable data center applications as well.

As part of edge computing platform

5G + edge computing

Smart city IT/IoT infrastructure

Among the potential uses of Micro Data Centers as infrastructure for distributed processing via edge computing is MEC (multi-access edge computing). Distributing Micro Data Centers near 5G base stations will enable ultra-low-latency processing and integrated remote monitoring/operations.

Local 5G + MEC (multi-access edge computing)

Integrated with 5G, IoT, and other technologies that support smart cities, Micro Data Centers can serve as regional data centers and local edge data centers that form the digital/IT infrastructure of smart cities. Integrating multiple edge data centers to build cloud infrastructure in close proximity to data consumers ensures resilience and makes it possible to flexibly and rapidly expand to meet demand. We aim to make local edge data centers carbon neutral via on-site renewable energy and to design systems so that data is effectively consumed close to where it is generated.

As portable server rooms

Digital/IT infrastructure for factories/plants

Office/warehouse/store server room

We set up edge data centers on factory and production plant premises for use in applications requiring low latency and high storage capacity, such as smart factories, factory automation, and robotics. The integrated remote monitoring and operation of edge data centers and edge devices can also be expected to reduce the need for operational resources.
MCDs can be installed anywhere, even when there is no server room, including in outdoor locations, warehouses, stores, and offices. In contrast to the task of building a new server room, MCDs can be installed quickly and only in the amount needed. They offer advantages in terms of scalability, ease of operation, and lower TCO.

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