Google introduces Distributed Cloud for edge, data center, and cloud applications
Google announced a new portfolio of software and hardware solutions designed to extend the company’s infrastructure to the edge and into data centers. Unveiled at the Google Cloud Next ’21 online event, the new family of products will go under the umbrella of the Google Distributed Cloud brand.
The solutions can reportedly run across multiple locations, including Google’s 140-plus network edge locations across the globe. In addition, Google said Distributed Cloud is compatible with many of the tech giant’s 5G/LTE communication service provider (CSP) partners, enabling companies to run 5G Core and radio access network (RAN) functions at the edge.
“CSPs are looking for faster ways to deploy cloud-native network architecture that can bring flexibility and agility to their edge solutions” explained Dan Rodriguez, VP & GM Network Platforms Group at Intel in a blog post from Google.
Google Distributed Cloud enables CSPs to run workloads on Intel and NVIDIA technologies to deliver new 5G and edge use cases, as well as allowing ISV and network function partners, application developers, and data scientists.
“[The solution] will help accelerate the delivery of 5G Telco Cloud and services at the edge leveraging Intel Smart Edge Open, Intel’s FlexRAN reference software, and Intel Xeon Scalable processors,” Rodriguez added.
An illustration of Google Distributed Cloud
Source: Google
Google Distributed Cloud Edge is therefore optimized to support low-latency use cases, and running edge applications with stringent latency and bandwidth requirements.
Built on the open-source-based platform Anthos, Google Distributed Cloud is designed to support customer-owned edge or remote locations such as retail stores, factory floors, or branch offices.
The solution expands Google’s strategic partnerships with both Ericsson and Nokia and supports the vision to develop the network edge as a business services platform for enterprises.
“The announcement of Google Distributed Cloud supports Ericsson’s vision of the network becoming a platform of innovation,” explained Rishi Bhaskar, Vice President and Head of Hyperscale Cloud Providers for Ericsson North America.
“[This will enable] companies across the ecosystem to deliver the applications of the future the way they need to, unlocking the full potential of 5G and edge,” he concluded.
Google Distributed Cloud is already available as a preview on the company’s website.
Analysis
It’s a fair question to ask what is new about Google Distributed Cloud. The answer seems to be hardware management. Google has assembled a collection of well-known vendors such as Cisco, Dell, HPE, and NetApp, and the aim is to use Anthos to manage the whole stack. AWS’ fully managed on-premise cloud — effectively a cloud in a rack — has captured a great deal of market attention, no doubt bringing pressure on Google to bring something similar to the market. While the hardware is not white label as it is for Outposts, this is a step in that direction and brings Google to a similar position to where Microsoft is with Azure Stack. Analysis by Daniel Beazer
Article Topics
Anthos | Google | hybrid cloud | Intel | multi-cloud | Nvidia | public edge cloud
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