Top of Page

Links to move inside this page.
  1. HOME
  2. IIJ's data centers
  3. IIJ technologies and initiatives underpinning its data centers
  4. Data centers operated by IIJ
  5. Edge data centers
  6. Micro data centers

Micro data centers

In 2021, we launched an edge data center solution utilizing micro data centers to meet demands for smaller-scale deployments than the container-type “co-IZmo” series, as well as for space-saving installations both indoors and outdoors.

Data Center Anywhere

Our concept in developing this solution was to provide micro data centers that require little effort to operate and that can be installed anywhere.

1. Easy to build/expand:

Can be started small at short notice, expanded in response to demand, and easily relocated.

2. Ease of operation:

With IIJ's remote operation and maintenance services, constant monitoring from the cloud reduces the burden on IT facility managers and eliminates the need for on-site staffing.

3. Economical:

  • Monthly service (the equipment can also be purchased)
  • Low TCO compared with building server rooms
  • Energy-saving performance with a PUE of approximately 1.2*

*PUE (power usage effectiveness): A measure of how efficiently a data center uses power. Found by dividing a data center's total power consumption by the power consumption of its ICT equipment (servers and the like). The closer PUE is to 1.0, the more efficiently the data center uses power.

What's in a Micro Data Center

As the figure below illustrates, a micro data center squeezes all of the functionality necessary for a data center (server space, power supply, server cooling, security) into a space the size of a large refrigerator.

Pro 25 (indoor model)

Micro Data Center use cases

The characteristics of micro data centers make them suitable not only for edge computing infrastructure but potentially for portable data center applications as well.

As part of edge computing platform

5G + edge computing

Smart city IT/IoT infrastructure

Among the potential uses of Micro Data Centers as infrastructure for distributed processing via edge computing is MEC (multi-access edge computing). Distributing Micro Data Centers near 5G base stations will enable ultra-low-latency processing and integrated remote monitoring/operations.

Local 5G + MEC (multi-access edge computing)

By integrating with technologies that support smart cities, such as 5G and IoT, it will serve as a regionally distributed data center and an edge/local data center forming the digital and IT infrastructure of smart cities. Integrating multiple edge data centers to build cloud infrastructure in close proximity to data consumers ensures resilience and makes it possible to flexibly and rapidly expand to meet demand. We aim to make local edge data centers carbon neutral via on-site renewable energy and to design systems so that data is effectively consumed close to where it is generated.

As portable server rooms

Digital/IT infrastructure for factories/plants

Office/warehouse/store server room

We set up edge data centers on factory and production plant premises for use in applications requiring low latency and high storage capacity, such as smart factories, factory automation, and robotics. Micro data centers feature dustproof and waterproof capabilities, allowing them to be installed directly near factory production equipment or inside warehouses.
Micro data centers, with their high soundproofing performance, can be installed in a wide range of locations such as offices without server rooms, warehouses, or retail stores. Compared to constructing a dedicated server room, micro data centers require less space, can be deployed in a shorter time, and can be installed in just the necessary quantity. They offer advantages in terms of scalability, ease of operation, and lower TCO.

End of the page.

Top of Page