Schneider Electric's SmartBunker Provides Smarter, More Secure Datacenters at the Edge

Transcription

1 TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT Schneider Electric's SmartBunker Provides Smarter, More Secure Datacenters at the Edge Jennifer Koppy Kelly Quinn IDC OPINION Over the next few years, the U.S. market will see an increase in the growing demand for and deployment of micro datacenters (MDCs) at the network edge. This demand will be driven by growth in Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, cloud, and mobility and the need to have enablement of these solutions within closer physical proximity to end users. These edge deployments must be quick to deploy and offer reduced management complexity with expedited time from edge choice selection to active deployment onsite. To accomplish this, edge solutions must leverage the benefits of standardization across hardware design and configurations. Earlier this year, Schneider Electric launched its preconfigured edge datacenter resources with its SmartBunker and SmartShelter products. In developing these products, Schneider closely examined the requirements for successful, secure, rapid edge deployments in support of the explosion of edge data. The result is a standardized solution that can be customized as required and deployed virtually anywhere. Further, IDC expects: Service providers will help ramp up the momentum in the move to the edge. Both the volume of data and the number of applications needed at the edge will continue to grow over the coming years. This will result in increasing demand for edge solutions for data serving to end users. By 2018, cloud, mobile, and IoT services providers will own/operate 30% of IT assets in edge locations and micro datacenters. November 2015, IDC #259946

2 IN THIS STUDY In this study, IDC examines the recently launched micro datacenter solutions from Schneider Electric. This document looks at the solutions in the context of the rapidly expanding market for edge-ofnetwork solutions as the Internet of Thing begins to ramp up quickly. SITUATION OVERVIEW Market forces including the developing Internet of Things (IoT) workloads and mobile and social technologies are driving the need for compute resources in varied locations near large populations and telecommunications hubs. Like most IT buildouts, the pressure is high for rapid deployment. Putting datacenter resources in these customer-facing locations poses challenges for the management of datacenter resources at the network edge, where IT staff are limited. To address the need for rapid deployment of resources and minimizing management resources, micro datacenters have emerged as an "all in one" solution encompassing the physical building or enclosure, the associated IT gear, and the sensors and instrumentation to manage remotely. Schneider Electric has responded early to customer need for flexibility and security in the manner of implementation of its critical facilities equipment by rolling out the SmartBunker and SmartShelter family of products. Beyond providing the power, cooling, and physical infrastructure, the SmartBunker and SmartShelter micro datacenters (MDCs) incorporate Schneider's StruxureWare for Data Centers management technology to optimize the use of resources and enable lights-out control over resources. What Is a Micro Datacenter? A micro datacenter is essentially a modularized and miniaturized version of a traditional datacenter. It includes the full suite of IT and facilities infrastructure found in other datacenters. It is fully enclosed, with an encapsulated interior environment that must be constantly monitored and maintained at optimal levels as found in other datacenters. MDCs usually accommodate 1 10 racks of IT equipment; however, some MDCs may contain more. However, micro datacenters are more deliberate in their design and construction than many datacenters are. MDC vendors have put much work into designing these self-contained, secure environments so that minimal human interference is required after deployment. All IT hardware is fully integrated before deployment. This includes compute, networking, and storage components. All facilities hardware is fully integrated before deployment, along with the solutions, such as datacenter infrastructure management (DCIM) software, that are required to enable the facilities' hardware and software to constantly monitor and maintain things such as ideal ambient temperatures and humidity levels 24 x 7. Finally, all MDCs feature robust security solutions, at both the IT and facilities levels, to ensure data protection, no matter where the MDC is placed. A New Spin on a Proven Solution MDCs are an outgrowth of the larger modular and containerized datacenter market. Many are akin to ruggedized containers that have been deployed for years in support of use cases such as oil and gas exploration: they're self-contained, are not subject to damage from weather, are secure from physical breach by unauthorized personnel, and can be dropped off and removed from just about any site IDC #

3 Micro datacenters are standardized branch datacenters with small-to-tiny footprints. Modular by their design, these ICT systems offer compute, storage, and networking IT equipment and power, cooling, and DCIM tools, all fully integrated into one portable unit. They are compact some come with the size of a refrigerator and designed to be deployed as standalone ICT systems in either indoor or outdoor environment. Because of the tight design of these systems, MDCs are almost universally classified as hyperscale ICT infrastructure. Market Drivers Processing large quantities of IoT data in real time will demand the datacenters to be located closer to the data source to deliver security, capacity, and reduced latency. Near-term future growth that will be seen in IoT devices in densely populated metro areas will drive demand for data that requires fatter pipes with no noticeable latency on the part of the end user. MDCs are uniquely suited to meeting this demand as they are situated in close proximity to the end user. Additional market drivers will include: Need for minimal latency in specific workloads, such as financial trading applications and retail point-of-presence applications Having greater controls over capital spending Featuring faster deployment times than new-build/traditional datacenters The following key markets will drive initial demand for MDCs: Enterprise branch offices Vertical markets, including finance, logistics, and retail Satellite remote hospitals Local, regional, and national law enforcement MDCs are also highly attractive to any participant in the mobility space, where speed is seemingly measured at a faster rate than in front of a monitor. In densely populated urban areas, such as Tokyo or New York City, strategical deployments of MDCs at critical geographic sites may become a competitive advantage for the vendors for whom the mobile population is its target. Schneider Electric's SmartBunker and SmartShelter Micro Datacenters In mid-2015, Schneider publicly launched its family of MDCs. These units fall into two categories: ruggedized and non-ruggedized, for use in external and internal facility deployments, respectively. Schneider's three IT modules in this category are: SmartBunker designed for single-rack deployments (The CX and SX models can be used indoors and the FX model can be used either indoors or outdoors.) SmartShelter Container designed for 4 10 rack deployments, with a ruggedized design for outdoor use SmartShelter Module designed for deployments of up to 30 racks, with a ruggedized design for outdoor use The three IT solutions include both IT gear and facilities solutions. On the IT side, these modules are designed to accommodate 1 30 racks, depending on the model. Each module also includes UPS, batteries, switchgear, DCIM, power distribution, and environmental monitoring. Customers can customize with additional options, such as for fire suppression, fire-rated panels, or active cooling IDC #

4 Along with these three modules, Schneider has also included two power modules: the Enclosed Power Module (for 200kW 1MW), designed for outdoor deployments, and the Skid Mounted Power Module (for 500kW 1.6MW), designed for indoor deployments. Datacenter operators can deploy MDCs virtually anywhere. This can include indoor installs in places such as retail shops or enclosed parking garages, as well as outdoor installs, which can be virtually anywhere outdoors including on rooftops, in standalone outdoor deployments, or even on vessels floating in a city's harbor. Schneider got its start in the MDC market through its acquisition of AST Modular in January AST was an early innovator in the MDC market. This acquisition gave Schneider a leapfrog head start over domestic competition as it helped Schneider avoid the pitfalls of new product development. The acquisition enabled Schneider to hit the ground running in North America. Schneider turned the time it saved in research and development (through the incorporation of AST's existing intellectual property [IP], assets, and customer base) into an opportunity to look forward to the next significant development in the datacenter industry, namely that of MDCs. MDCs Prebundled with Management Solutions The SmartBunker and SmartShelter family of products are prebundled with Schneider's StruxureWare for Data Centers datacenter infrastructure management solution. The inclusion of these management modules enables the remote visibility and control over both the critical facilities and IT equipment contained within the SmartBunker and SmartShelter units and addresses a key management issue with the deployment of remote resources. Having the units outfitted with sensor technology that feeds real-time environmental and asset location data into a repository allows the units to be managed from anywhere. Cooling and power capacity can be added, and the aggregation of data can help plan for future capacity needs and "rightsize" the facility as demand fluctuates. FUTURE OUTLOOK Need for Smarter, More Secure Datacenters at the Edge IDC predicts that by 2018, 60% of companies will rely on highly instrumented datacenters that use advanced automation to boost efficiency, as well as tie datacenter and IT spend to business value received. The micro datacenter segment contributes to the growth in these "smarter" datacenters with preinstalled sensors and software technology to enable remote visibility and control. Over the next few years, spending on sensors and advanced automation tools will increase, as these are viewed as necessary and enabling technologies, instead of "nice to have" technologies. Service providers will lead the charge to the edge, oftentimes with their IT assets in customer and partner locations. The volume of data moving between the edge and the datacenter, as well as the types of applications being deployed at the edge, is placing greater stress on existing networks and IT teams tasked with deploying, protecting, and managing IT assets at edge locations. IDC forecasts that by 2018, cloud, mobile, and IoT services providers will own/operate 30% of IT assets in edge locations and micro datacenters. This shift will pose significant asset management challenges, as well as governance challenges. Compounding these challenges for service provider IT teams and customer IT teams is the linkage of the security systems. Both IT teams need a solution that links their security systems to each other's security system IDC #

5 ESSENTIAL GUIDANCE To speed deployment and reduce the time and complexity of managing at the edge, buildouts must be done in a highly prescribed manner, where configurations are consistent and "match" across the entire network of edge locations. Once the initial deployment configuration has been refined and all the components work together, the rest of the deployment can be done much more efficiently. By offering preconfigured datacenter resources with SmartBunker and SmartShelter, Schneider has taken much of the initial work out of the process and helped streamline the broader buildout. Particularly for service provider buildouts, which are happening at a blistering pace, the ability to have this initial legwork done will be a competitive differentiator in the market. The requirements for networking are increased as the secure transmission of data from dispersed sites becomes table stakes in the reality of an IoT world. Although outside the immediate domain of the physical micro datacenter unit, customers will need and rely on their trusted partners to help them tackle the new requirements. Schneider's presence in helping customers tackle these network and security issues, either through its services organization, software technology, or other partners, will help cement its leadership role and drive greater adoption of micro datacenter units. LEARN MORE Related Research Market Analysis Perspective: Worldwide Datacenter Trends, 2015 (IDC #258853, September 2015) Worldwide Datacenter Infrastructure Management Solutions Forecast, (IDC #256542, June 2015) Devouring Power in the Datacenter: Results from IDC's Enterprise Datacenter Survey (IDC #WC , May 2015) Leveraging Colocation Networks to Benefit the Enterprise (IDC #255775, April 2015) Synopsis Taking the Pulse on Datacenter Management and Automation: Results from IDC's Enterprise Datacenter Survey (IDC #WC , March 2015) Enterprise Datacenter Power Issues: What They Are and How to Address Them (IDC #254860, March 2015) This IDC study examines the recently launched micro datacenter solutions from Schneider Electric. "IoT workloads and mobile and social technologies are driving the need for edge data resources. An important tool for managing these resources is the micro datacenter, which will facilitate rapid data transmission between companies and their customers with minimal latency," said Kelly Quinn, research manager, IDC IDC #

6 About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community make factbased decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,100 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries worldwide. For 50 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. Global Headquarters 5 Speen Street Framingham, MA USA idc-insights-community.com Copyright Notice This IDC research document was published as part of an IDC continuous intelligence service, providing written research, analyst interactions, telebriefings, and conferences. Visit to learn more about IDC subscription and consulting services. To view a list of IDC offices worldwide, visit Please contact the IDC Hotline at , ext (or ) or sales@idc.com for information on applying the price of this document toward the purchase of an IDC service or for information on additional copies or Web rights. [trademark] Copyright 2015 IDC. Reproduction is forbidden unless authorized. All rights reserved.