Like navigating through the vast possibilities of the multiverse in the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once, the software-defined edge addresses the diverse, ever-expanding, real-time data and connectivity needs of enterprises in hundreds and thousands of edge locations. In his keynote address at VMware Explore Las Vegas Sanjay Uppal, VP and GM of the Software-Defined Edge business unit at VMware by Broadcom, discussed VMware’s approach to the software-defined edge in a talk called Everything Everywhere All at Once: Living on the Edge with VMware. The address also featured the business unit’s CTO Mariam Sorond in conversation with John Swieringa, President and Chief Operating Officer of DISH Wireless. They discussed real-world insights into building a software-defined edge network.
Get ready to explore how this cutting-edge approach holds the potential to revolutionize industries on a global scale. Watch the video to learn what the software-defined edge can do for your enterprise.
Demystifying the software-defined edge
With a staggering 77% growth in IoT devices over a four-year period, and machine learning at the edge expected to increase tenfold by 2026, the edge is rapidly evolving. But what does this mean for businesses? Sanjay’s talk delves into the reasons for co-locating infrastructure at the edge, including benefits such as low latency, autonomy, and extensive network diversity.
The edge refers to computing that’s done near the source of data, rather than relying on a central data-processing warehouse. This proximity allows for quicker data processing and less latency, making it ideal for real-time applications. Sanjay highlighted how this technology isn’t just a fleeting trend but a pivotal part of technological evolution.
The explosive growth of IoT devices coupled with widespread machine learning integration necessitates a horizontal software infrastructure. Uppal emphasizes the significance of placing applications close to data sources for rapid decision-making, and the importance of low latency and autonomous operations.
The unique characteristics of the software-defined edge
Three defining traits separate the software-defined edge from traditional data centers:
Right-sizing the infrastructure involves tailoring computing and storage resources to best suit each location’s unique needs, resulting in significantly increased efficiency and cost savings.
Zero touch orchestration emphasizes the automation of software-defined edge deployment and management across various locations for consistency, reduced manual interference, and accelerated innovation.
Network programmability enables workloads to express their intent to the network, allowing dynamic and on-demand connectivity. This feature ensures that your priority data is delivered with the lowest latency.
Real-world applications
Uppal illustrated the transformative power of the software-defined edge through multiple real-world cases. For instance, this technology has enabled flexibility, cost reduction, and faster upgrades in manufacturing. Retail stores can improve customer experiences and operational efficiency with private mobile networks. Police forces can optimize their connectivity resources with intelligent overlays.
The transformation of DISH Network
Mariam Sorond, VMware’s Chief Research Officer, joined Uppal to share stories of how VMware is helping transform communication service providers like DISH. Sorond emphasized the need for secure, reliable, consistent, and user-friendly connectivity solutions for enterprises. The DISH software-defined edge network, with over 16,000 5G sites built with VMware Telco Cloud Platform and VMware Cloud on AWS, stands as a testament to the transformative power of this innovative approach.
The software-defined edge is redefining businesses’ operations in the digital age. The focus on infrastructure alignment, seamless orchestration, and programmability unleashes the full potential of data and connectivity. We invite you to watch the video of Sanjay Uppal’s keynote address and discover how the software-defined edge can unlock unprecedented opportunities for your business, propelling you into the future of computing.
