As the edge computing trend gains traction, the industry finds itself at a crossroads, rethinking how infrastructure can be optimised for modern needs. Repurposing old data centres into edge computing hubs offers a compelling solution, particularly for hosting small business infrastructure that previously relied on on-premises servers. While buzzwords like AI dominate the conversation, the practical benefits of edge computing far outweigh the hype. This article explores why repurposing legacy facilities makes sense and how it can address the real-world needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The Opportunity | Breathing New Life into Old Facilities

Legacy data centres, such as Telkom's old exchanges or similar facilities, are ripe for transformation. These locations are already strategically placed in urban and suburban areas, making them ideal for edge computing. By stripping outdated infrastructure and implementing energy-efficient cooling and network systems, these sites can serve as localised hubs for businesses seeking secure, low-latency hosting for critical applications.

Potential Use Cases Include:

Accounting Systems: Hosting QuickBooks or Sage solutions in a local, secure facility for better uptime and maintenance.
Point of Sale (POS) Systems: Providing small retailers with reliable connectivity to their POS servers.
Surveillance Systems: Offering localised storage and management for video surveillance, reducing reliance on cloud bandwidth.
Branch Office Servers: Hosting for financial institutions or corporates that need robust infrastructure without the risks of traditional on-premises setups.

Why Not AI?

While AI and edge computing are often marketed together, the value proposition of AI is questionable for most SMEs. AI workloads are power-hungry and rarely align with the business cases of smaller organisations without significant cross-subsidisation. For edge computing, the focus should remain on practical, high-value applications rather than chasing the AI bubble, which, like all bubbles, is likely to burst.

Challenges with Current Models

Unstable Containerised Designs: Providers like Vuma’s back-garden container strategy lack the robustness of legacy facilities like Openserve's exchanges. Containers are prone to environmental issues, power inconsistencies, and poor cooling management.
On-Premises Infrastructure Risk: Many SMEs and financial institutions operate on ageing equipment that is barely surviving, relying more on luck than solid design. Repurposed edge locations can solve this problem by offering a stable, secure environment.
Limited Space and Maintenance Constraints: Access networks like Vuma and Openserve focus on Active Maintenance Centres (AMCs) rather than dedicating resources to advanced infrastructure management. This highlights the need for dedicated, efficient edge facilities.

The New Edge Data Centre Model

Repurposed facilities can provide SMEs with secure, modern infrastructure while addressing the inefficiencies of traditional data centres. The model would look something like this:

1. Stripped-Down Design

Remove legacy equipment and optimise for energy-efficient cooling.
Focus on minimalistic infrastructure to reduce overhead and maintenance complexity.

2. Secure, Managed Environment

1U Rack Space: Allocate space for customer equipment, accessible only via remote KVM over an Out-of-Band (OOB) network.
Authorised Remote Hands: Offer limited physical access via an online scheduling system for tasks like installation or decommissioning.
Controlled Handover Areas: Create staging zones for equipment, ensuring no customer enters the white space.

3. Simplified Networking

No racks or cross-connects, only private VLANs.
Plug-and-play connectivity for customer equipment, with dedicated bandwidth.

4. Focus on Reliability

Leverage robust legacy buildings designed for telecommunications reliability.
Use strategic urban locations to ensure low-latency connectivity.

Advantages of Repurposed Edge Locations

1. Proximity

By leveraging legacy exchange buildings, edge locations are closer to end-users, reducing latency for applications like POS and surveillance.

2. Stability

Unlike containerised designs, these facilities benefit from years of resilient engineering, offering greater reliability.

3. Cost-Efficiency

Repurposing existing buildings avoids the high costs of new construction while minimising environmental impact.

4. Security

With strict access controls, these locations can offer higher security than typical on-premises setups or cloud solutions.

5. Improved Maintenance

Centralising small business infrastructure into a managed edge facility reduces the burden on SMEs to maintain and upgrade their own equipment.

Implementation Blueprint

Step 1: Infrastructure Overhaul

Upgrade cooling systems to energy-efficient designs.
Retrofit power systems with UPS and generator backups.

Step 2: Networking and Security

Deploy a managed Layer 2/3 switch fabric.
Implement VLAN-based isolation for customer traffic.
Use OOB management networks for KVM and monitoring.

Step 3: Operational Policies

Introduce strict no-customer-access policies for white space.
Train remote hands teams and implement an online scheduling platform for customer requests.

Step 4: Strategic Partnerships

Partner with ISPs to ensure robust connectivity to backbones.
Work with SMEs to identify their specific hosting needs.

Telkom Auctions

Many of these old data centres are coming up for auction:

Telkom auctioning off properties

Wrap

Repurposing old data centres into edge computing locations provides a sustainable solution to the growing demand for localised, reliable hosting. By focusing on small business needs—rather than chasing trends like AI—these facilities can bridge the gap between on-premises setups and full-scale cloud adoption. As legacy facilities like Telkom's exchanges become available, they offer a unique opportunity to create a new class of edge infrastructure: cost-efficient, secure, and future-ready. For SMEs, this shift is more than a convenience—it’s a necessity.

🚁Repurposing Old Data Centres into Edge Computing Hubs | A Sustainable & Practical Strategy🛫