A new trend is emerging in the cloud computing segment and it is named as microclouds. Organizations are looking for ways to balance the need for cloud infrastructure in edge computing. Microclouds is promising and it is a blend of both. Well, the question arises whether it is just another phase in the evolution of edge computing. Or, could it redefine the future of the cloud?
Microclouds are compact and ready-to-use server clusters which are deployed outside traditional data centers. The clusters come with preconfigured software environments and allow the workloads to operate seamlessly in a cloud-like model and without being restricted to centralized cloud facilities. The company behind Ubuntu Linux, Canonical, is working on the concept with its own MicroCloud product that was introduced last year. However, some industry insiders claim that the concept was introduced much before, for at least five years from 2023.
Microclouds brings computing resources closer to end users and this is appealing. It reduces latency and improves performance. Preconfigured servers can be deployed quickly and with minimal effort. Microclouds combine the convenience of cloud computing with the flexibility of on-prem infrastructure. It makes easier to manage and scale infrastructure without traditional data center limitations.
So, how does microcloud differ from traditional edge computing or modular data centers? Its simplicity of deployment is the primary catch. Edge computing often requires setting up individual hardware devices. Microclouds offer a turnkey solution with prebuilt infrastructure and can be operational in minutes. Moreover, it comes equipped with software environments and this streamlines the entire process.
However, microclouds may not be necessary for everyone. Companies already satisfied with existing cloud or edge solutions may find it redundant.
Hence, it can be said that microclouds may revolutionize cloud computing to some extent but the biggest advantage is an opportunity for companies to leverage edge infrastructure easily.
