Google has announced the general availability of Google Distributed Cloud Edge, a new fully managed hardware and software solution built for the cloud to help organizations run processes at the edge.
The new offering comes just months after Google announced Google Distributed Cloud during Google Cloud Next ’21, releasing a portfolio of solutions consisting of hardware and software that extend Google’s infrastructure to the edge and into data centers.
According to Google, Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) Edge will enable customers to run 5G Core and radio access network (RAN) functions at the edge and support additional enterprise use cases, including anomaly detection on the factory floor, real-time inventory with robots, scrubbing sensitive data locally before being sent to the cloud and using sensors to improve operational efficiency with sensors.
The offering also includes new hardware options including rack-based configurations that include the rack, six servers two top-of-rack switches, cabling and optics. Google will remotely monitor and maintain the installation, including software updates, configuration issues and security.
Meanwhile, GDC Edge Appliances are designed for use cases where bandwidth and latency limitations prevent organizations from processing data from devices like cameras and sensors back in cloud data centers. Google says the appliances simplify data collection, analytics and processing at remote locations where data coming from these devices needs to be processed quickly and stored securely. This includes data generated by cameras and sensors at warehouses, stores and vehicles. The appliances can also run containerized applications to process the data locally using ML inference, aggregation and custom logic.
“With all these investments in GDC Edge alongside our trusted partners, we are able to meet the needs of both the CSP network and enterprise companies in unprecedented ways,” writes Sachin Gupta, vice president and general manager of infrastructure at Google.
Google says it is partnering with Bell Canada to deploy GDC Edge for its 5G core network functions, and Verizon to deliver edge services to enterprises. Other partnerships include AT&T, Reliance JIO, TELUS, Indosat Ooredoo and others to meet the needs of enterprises. Google says it is also partnering with its ISV partner ecosystem to run workloads, integrate edge vision, machine learning and AI solutions on GDC Edge.
In the blog, Gupta says edge computing is emerging as a powerful way for enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation, but the technology is still challenging to configure.
“With a comprehensive portfolio of fully managed hardware and software, Google Distributed Cloud brings Google’s AI and analytics solutions closer to where your data is being generated and consumed, so you can harness real-time insights across deployments,” Gupta writes. “Meanwhile, its Anthos cloud-backed control plane provides a consistent management experience across multiple environments, and Google’s planet-scale infrastructure delivers the highest levels of performance, availability, security and sustainability for your environment.”
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!
Leave a Reply