The Future of Data Centers
As information and data multiply, in-house, local data storage centers will struggle to stay afloat with increased storage requirements and capabilities for data management. The expansion of remote work amidst COVID-19 has led many companies to adopt a hybrid cloud approach. Many companies have sold their local data centers, outsourcing their data storage and management operations to hyper scale data-center-owning companies like Digital Realty, Equinix, Amazon, Microsoft, Facebook, and IBM.
Colocation
Hyperscale data centers provide the storage, power, and cooling technology necessary for large operating servers, as well as advanced security systems that smaller companies may not be able to afford on their own. With tax incentives encouraging “data center districts” in several states, colocation will grow. These advances are funded by companies like Dell and IBM and public policies encouraging green and profitable forms of infrastructure.
Edge Computing
Edge Computing
With colocation sites across the US, latency delays long-distance data transmission. As a result, many technology companies invest in edge computing to store data relatively nearby or on the “edge” of the IoT in use, decreasing transmission bandwidth due to proximity. As the data center market sees more companies opt for colocation, edge computing will also rise.
Sustainable, Renewable Energy for Data Centers
Sustainable, Renewable Energy for Data Centers
Data is intangible, so many people neglect to acknowledge its carbon footprint. Regardless, data transmission and storage require a significant amount of power, and the industry’s standards for those power sources are changing. With an increased focus on environmental accountability, many data center companies like Google and Microsoft are pouring their energies into adopting efficient, green power solutions. Liquid cooling, undersea data centers, and other forms of thermal control are among the proposed solutions. Microsoft has even committed to being carbon-free by the year 2030.
