Do You Need Specialized Hardware at the Edge?

/ Edge Computing

The “edge” is a term frequently used in technology, often depicted as a network boundary, a remote endpoint, or a terminus far from data centers and the cloud. However, the edge is not just as a technological concept but is also a tangible place with unique and complex challenges. This perspective is critical because it acknowledges that the edge is not a uniform environment; rather, it’s a dynamic, unpredictable, and often harsh location where real-world conditions impact the technology deployed.

The Challenges of the Edge

The challenges you face when deploying computing hardware at the edge are significant, especially when compared to the controlled environments of traditional data centers Unlike data centers, which have consistent network connectivity and you carefully manage for temperature, humidity, and power stability, edge environments can present extreme conditions including:

  • Extreme Temperatures: Edge locations can experience wild temperature swings, from sub-zero conditions in places like Northern Sweden to scorching heat in industrial settings like steel mills.
  • Vibration and Shock: Systems deployed on vehicles, robotic harvesters, or heavy machinery are exposed to constant vibration and shock.
  • Dust and Particulates: Industrial and agricultural environments are often filled with dust and airborne particles that can corrode or damage sensitive electronics.
  • Unreliable Power: Power sources at the edge may be inconsistent, with voltage fluctuations and spikes that can harm electronic devices.
  • Connectivity Issues: Network connections at the edge can be spotty and unreliable.

Traditional vendors do standard, off-the-shelf computers designed for office environments or data centers, and don’t equip these systems to manage the harsh conditions of the edge. These challenges necessitate specialized hardware that can withstand these conditions while delivering reliable performance. 

OnLogic

OnLogic is a company that designs and manufactures industrial and rugged computers specifically for these challenging edge environments. They’re proud that they build computers you can rely on, designed to last, built to order, and delivered in days. They offer a range of products in four primary categories:

  • Industrial Computers: OnLogic designs its industrial computers to be highly configurable, long-lasting, and easily deployable, serving as entry points for various industrial applications.
  • Rugged Computers: These systems share characteristics with industrial computers, but OnLogic builds these to endure extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration, making them ideal for mobile systems. 
  • Panel PCs: These ruggedized, ultra-responsive systems provide direct control over operations through an easy-to-use touch interface, often mounted in industrial control panels.
  • Edge Servers: OnLogic designs these high-performance servers for on-premises edge data management, offering features like intrusion detection and tamper-proofing. You can rack mount these servers, and they are also suitable for office utility closets.

OnLogic does not simply package standard motherboards into a ruggedized chassis. They custom design motherboards with specific components to match the physical, environmental, and computational needs of their intended locations. This approach allows them to create systems that can operate reliably in harsh conditions and provide you with long-term value. Key features and benefits include:

  • Fanless Design: Many OnLogic systems feature a fanless design, reducing the risk of system failure due to fan failure, blocked fan filters, or the corrosive effect of blown in dust and particulates.
  • Wide Operating Temperatures: Systems are designed to operate in wide temperature ranges, from -40°C to 70°C or more, enabling use in harsh environments.
  • Rugged Construction: OnLogic builds with robust materials and construction methods to withstand shock and vibration.
  • Long-Life Components: OnLogic uses industrial-grade components with long life cycles, ensuring reliable operation over many years.
  • Flexible Power Options: OnLogic designs modular power circuitry, offering options for both AC and DC as well as clean and rugged power inputs, with protection against over-voltage, under-voltage, and voltage spikes.
  • Legacy Protocol Support: Many systems offer expansion options (Mod Bays) to support legacy communication protocols like RS232, RS422, and RS485.
  • Integrated Microcontrollers (MCU): Select platforms include an integrated programmable MCU, providing out-of-band management capabilities for tasks such as I/O control and power management.

Use Cases

Initially, OnLogic imported Mini ITX motherboards from Asia and sold them online with computer peripherals. The company quickly became profitable and turned to designing edge systems focusing on not just on selling products but on understanding their customers’ needs and creating solutions that help their customers be successful.

Over their 21-year history, OnLogic’s systems have been used for:

  • Smart Agriculture: Robotic food harvesters use OnLogic systems for sensor data processing, motor control, and robotic sequencing.
  • Mining: Systems in mining facilities provide reliable operation in extremely cold and dark conditions, enabling real-time data processing from LiDAR sensors for safety and efficiency.
  • Steel Production: Panel PCs are used in steel mills for easy-to-use interface for managing complex machinery.
  • Smart Buildings: Gateway devices are used in building mechanical spaces for data collection and analysis to proactively manage building systems and improve safety.
  • Transportation: OnLogic systems can be found in transportation solutions and logistics.
  • Medical Systems: OnLogic has a presence in medical systems where reliability is critical.
  • Manufacturing: OnLogic systems are used in a wide variety of manufacturing processes for control, monitoring, and data collection.

Inadequacies

While OnLogic’s systems are highly versatile, there are some limitations, including:

  • No Native Optical Ports: OnLogic systems do not natively include optical ports like SFP or SFP+. While some systems can support optical connectivity through PCI expansion cards, this requires additional hardware and may not be ideal for every application.
  • Limited Built-in Data Deduplication: OnLogic systems do not offer built-in data deduplication features. Data deduplication is typically handled at the enterprise or cloud level, rather than at the edge with OnLogic systems.
  • Firmware Updates Vary: Firmware updates, which are important for security and bug fixes, vary from system to system. OnLogic is working towards leveraging update capsule methodologies to deploy firmware updates more easily, but this may not be implemented across all of their product lines at this point

Why This Matters

The edge is not a simple extension of the data center; it presents unique challenges that require purpose-built solutions The extreme environmental conditions, unreliable power, and connectivity issues demand more than just a standard server in a ruggedized box OnLogic’s approach, which includes custom-designed circuit boards, industrial-grade components, and a focus on long-term reliability, ensures their systems can operate effectively and efficiently at the edge If you need reliable computing hardware at the edge, OnLogic is a company that you should investigate.

Author

  • Principal Analyst Jack Poller uses his 30+ years of industry experience across a broad range of security, systems, storage, networking, and cloud-based solutions to help marketing and management leaders develop winning strategies in highly competitive markets. Prior to founding Paradigm Technica, Jack worked as an analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group covering identity security, identity and access management, and data security. Previously, Jack led marketing for pre-revenue and early-stage storage, networking, and SaaS startups. Jack was recognized in the ARchitect Power 100 ranking of analysts with the most sustained buzz in the industry, and has appeared in CSO, AIthority, Dark Reading, SC, Data Breach Today, TechRegister, and HelpNet Security, among others.

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