For server vendors, who took the lead edge computing, who will lead the future.
The reason for this is because thanks to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, networking, big data technologies, as well as official business 5G, the "material" became a hub of information, to produce more intelligent and connected based on the "objects" . Computing needs attendant is extending from the center to the edge data. IDC estimates that by 2019 there will be at least 40% of the things stored data is generated where most edge, and calculation processing.
Edge computing market is like a blue ocean, compared with the products mature, stable market structure of traditional data center market, its future growth potential. MarketWatch forecast, by 2023 the global edge computing market will reach $ 21 billion, a CAGR of 14.2%. At the same time, the edges of calculations in the "barbaric growth" stage, multiple industries scenarios also need to explore a wide variety of product forms, the application of ecological urgent need to establish.
In the current market, very little edge computing servers. Because, unlike traditional server is different is that it is not only the test of server vendors scenes to explore and product landing capability, but also test the ability to calculate eco-edge building. To have a solid foundation in servers and computing association, apparently hoping to seize the opportunity to edge computing market. Therefore, the association took the lead in the market launch of its first tailored specifically to edge computing and AI compact edge computing server ThinkSystem SE350, and hope to seize the initiative by attention to ecological construction, at the edge computing market.
ThinkSystem SE350: born to edge
Edge server computing will be a new species computing market. Because, at the edge computing product architecture, environment, ecology and other aspects of the application does with traditional data center server products an enormous difference. If you continue to use the traditional data center server edge products in the computing environment, it is difficult to meet the needs of edge computing.
Lenovo DCG China, Zhou Tao, director of server product marketing
For now, the main challenges edge computing include the following four aspects:
The first is the enormous difference edge computing environment, compared to the data center temperature and humidity environments, margin calculations may appear high temperature, high humidity, high dust situation, the current environment will be different because the environment there is a difference, let alone spatial discrepancy, load-bearing, wiring and the like. This difference even more harsh environment of the edge server computing products are designed with higher requirements.
Secondly, the ecological edge computing applications is a challenge, most applications for delay and cost is very sensitive, the delay is the problem must be an important consideration; In addition to the need to understand the situation in real-time applications and services running edge, also computing applications need to realize edge cloud edges and synergistic integration.
Third, compared with the data center environment, because of differences in the edge server computing environment, no specialist care, not restricted access. Therefore, in addition to edge computing servers need to guard against potential network security issues, but also need to consider how to prevent malicious damage, as well as to ensure data consistency, high availability and no leakage, etc. at the hardware level.
Finally, there is the operation and maintenance challenges edge computing servers, usually because the deployment of environmental factors, edge computing environments often lack dedicated IT operation and maintenance personnel, how to automate a full range of unmanned operation and maintenance is also a big edge computing server products test.
"Edge computing server product architecture does have with the traditional server huge difference. It really integrates all IT infrastructure, data filtering, and local storage, computing and processing, after further collaboration and communication with the cloud." Lenovo DCG China District Zhou Tao, director of server product marketing, says, "standard server volume, high power consumption, a single network connection, the deployment of high environmental requirements, and the traditional gateway device there are insufficient local capacity workloads, lack of redundancy and management capabilities, extended high cost and other issues. "
Based on this, the company launched edge computing server ThinkSystem SE350 to fill gaps in the market. DCG Chinese Lenovo product marketing product manager Wang Yunke introduction, ThinkSystem SE350 is a 1U, half-width server, compact design, low power consumption, and made earthquakes, high temperatures and dust-proof design, only 3.75 kilograms, support floor stand , rails or wall mounting, and other mounting deploy, support a variety of network access, a redundant design in the power supply and fan, and the environment, impact, vibration, etc. full range of certification testing.
DCG Chinese Lenovo product marketing product manager Wang Yunke
"ThinkSystem SE350 set aside 5G modules, once gained popularity 5G application, you can use the 5G access." Wang Yunke revealed, "In the security dimension, ThinkSystem SE350 hardware and software has been reinforced. In addition, excellent scalability SE350, GPU expansion slot can be placed cards. Lenovo's automatic management XClarity SE350 can ensure the ROMS more intelligent. "
由于边缘计算聚集了多个领域的厂商，加上边缘计算当前并没有明确的标准定义，正所谓是一千个人眼中有一千个“边缘计算”，边缘计算的产品形态用五花八门来形容不为过。对此，周韬认为，边缘计算服务器并不是安装在机房之中，而是安装在边缘空间，这就决定了边缘计算的安装环境、条件和形态跟之前完全不一样，这将导致边缘计算服务器未来几年会有不同的形态存在。“边缘计算服务器的外观、体积等都需要与应用场景相适应。未来，随着边缘应用的标准、立法和行业标准的陆续出台，边缘计算服务器也会走上标准之路。比如，现在运营商已经开始做OTII的标准，规范一些边缘设备的尺寸。”
边缘计算落地：生态是关键
边缘计算的落地除了产品之外，生态也至关重要。尤其是考虑到边缘计算的行业属性和场景属性比较强，不同的行业和不同的场景对于边缘计算的产品、应用需求有着较大的差异，对于边缘计算生态的构建也有着很高的要求。在联想研究院服务器主任研究员杨杰看来，ThinkSystem SE350主要是针对重边缘的应用场景，“重边缘是对边缘要求最高的场景，这个场景需要处理的负载几乎等同于数据中心里面的负载，往往需要具备足够强的计算和存储能力，包括在边缘侧实现数据的预处理和分析。”
重边缘的应用正在各个行业中兴起，比如智能工厂、智能交通、自动驾驶、赛事直播等等。“随着5G的商用，未来一定会有越来越多的重边缘应用场景涌现。”但是，重边缘应用的落地依然有着不小的挑战，往往需要考虑和探索边缘的应用如何开发。
联想研究院服务器主任研究员杨杰
杨杰认为主要当前重边缘应用落地存在着以下三个挑战：
首先是硬件不够“硬”，边缘环境的复杂性和恶劣性对于硬件提出了更高的要求，如果硬件不够好，则完全承载不了边缘计算的要求。
其次是软件不够“软”，重边缘应用的趋势是有越来越多的应用在边缘设备运行起来，如何让这些应用很好地运行、并且保证应用之间的隔离和安全性是巨大的挑战。杨杰透露：“虚拟化技术隔离很好，但是对于边缘来说太重了，需要的时间太长；而现有的容器技术可以让应用快速启动，但是却不做系统性的隔离，存在潜在的隐患。”因此，联想认为边缘计算应该提供具备秒级的启动应用的能力，类似容器的秒级启动能力和虚拟化的隔离能力，这样才可以很好地支撑边缘应用。
第三则是软硬件不够“亲”，边缘计算应用目前的难点还在于软件和硬件分得非常清楚，软件和硬件集合起来做优化具有难度。但是，像AR、VR等很多边缘计算应用往往需要软硬件融合在一起才能实现好的效果。
杨杰透露，除了投入ThinkSystem SE350之外，联想还投入了大量的人力在平台相应的技术研发上。“首先是硬件加速层面，SE350支持不同类型的加速器，包括广域网加速、GPU卡等，通过硬件和加速器的融合实现边缘硬件的优化。在此之上，联想针对不同类型场景进行优化。比如，在赛事直播属于超高清视频的应用场景，对于存储和计算要求很高；而工业制造场景则是需要大量的连接和实施响应，不仅需要边缘设备具有强大的计算能力，还需要在操作系统和网络通信协议层进行优化。”
周韬则表示，边缘计算产品不像其他产品已经有非常标准的应用，现阶段需要构建整个生态系统来让产品发展。联想在边缘计算从一开始就进行了周全的考虑和规划，除了硬件架构和产品之外，联想研究院的同事会重点发力上层应用，以提供更加完善的解决方案，未来，联想还会联合更多的合作伙伴，提供更加完善和可靠的边缘计算生态。
联想的边缘计算谋局
事实上，边缘计算服务器属于强行业场景属性的产品。从某种程度上来说，它考验的是厂商根据行业场景进行产品设计的能力，以及强大的生产制造能力；另外，边缘计算对于场景的应用的需求，也驱动着边缘计算产品必须具有完整的生态才能保持长期的竞争力。周韬直言，边缘计算服务器一旦遇到适合的应用场景，整体采用的数量会非常之大。
Lenovo's first server computing edge: ThinkSystem SE350
"ThinkSystem SE350 is the first Lenovo edge computing server for edge computing server products, Lenovo has a detailed and long-term product planning the future, we will continue to launch other models." Zhou Tao said the road.
Obviously, Lenovo server for edge computing plays an important investment. In fact, the edge computing market is indeed crucial for the future business development of Lenovo servers in the data center market structure increasingly stable, the biggest increment edge computing market will be the Lenovo server business breakthroughs and market structure of hope . More crucially, Lenovo's Edge server computing products ushered in a good opportunity weather, geography, and.
First, 5G high-speed, ubiquitous network characteristics, low power, low latency, determines its commercial application that will push the edge of the scene, which will greatly promote the development of edge computing needs and edge computing servers it will usher in the spring. Second, the Chinese market is currently in the leading position 5G commercial, many industries have begun to explore the scene 5G applications, Lenovo's Edge server computing will be a huge arena in the Chinese market. In addition, Lenovo's Edge server computing is not a single business sector in promoting, but a collection of DCG Lenovo and Research Institute and other business departments together to create out of the product.
With the introduction of ThinkSystem SE350, Lenovo has sounded edge computing market to compete for the high ground of the horn. We believe that with the gradual rich Lenovo edge computing server products, adhering to the policy of ecological products + Lenovo will have a go in the era of the Internet in all things.