Case Study: EdgeDC Modular Data Centers for International Airports
Projects
Client Overview
A government institution responsible for internal security and border management required a secure, scalable IT infrastructure solution for deployment at international airports. These data centers were to support critical operations such as border security control while addressing the unique challenges of airport environments.
Challenge
Deploying IT infrastructure at airports presented significant hurdles:
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Regulatory Constraints: Constructing new buildings at airports is highly restricted due to legal, logistical, and security concerns.
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Infrastructure Complexity: Airports are dense with utilities like electricity, gas, and communications, limiting available space for new developments.
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Scalability Limitations: Traditional data center construction is rigid, making future expansion difficult in such constrained environments.
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Latency Requirements: Operations like border security control require minimal latency, which is challenging with traditional, remotely located data centers.
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Security Zones: Airports operate under strict security protocols, complicating access to IT facilities.
The client needed a solution that could overcome these constraints while ensuring speed of deployment, operational flexibility, low-latency computing, and compliance with security requirements.
Solution
We provided Altron Molodular’s EdgeDC modular data centers specifically designed to address the complexities of airport environments. Key features of this solution included:
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Rapid Deployment: Delivered and tested within six weeks, the EdgeDC modular data centers significantly reduced setup time compared to traditional methods.
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Ease of Installation: the modular data centers were deployed in compliance with airport regulations without requiring extensive groundwork.
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Scalability: EdgeDC modular units can be expanded effortlessly—additional data centers can be placed as needed.
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Proximity to Computing: The EdgeDC modular data centers were installed close to the systems they support, ensuring ultra-low latency, critical for real-time operations such as border security control.
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Independent Access: Each EdgeDC module is physically separated from airport infrastructure, enabling easy access for authorized personnel without navigating additional high-security zones.
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EMC Shielding: A specialized feature designed not only to protect sensitive data from electromagnetic interference, but also to serve as an additional cyber defense. By preventing any form of unauthorized remote interception, it ensures that equipment operations remain confidential, thereby reinforcing both privacy and operational integrity.
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Energy Efficiency: A guaranteed Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) was built into the contract and validated during testing, ensuring cost-effective and sustainable operation.
Impact
The EdgeDC modular data centers delivered substantial benefits tailored to the airport use case:
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Flexibility and Scalability: The client could deploy and expand IT infrastructure in line with operational needs, avoiding the logistical and legal complications of traditional construction.
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Speed of Delivery: The entire process, including testing, was completed within six weeks, ensuring a swift operational launch.
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Enhanced Security: EMC shielding and independent placement ensured data privacy and compliance with high-security standards.
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Optimized Use of Space: The compact design allowed deployment in areas with minimal infrastructure interference, leveraging the modularity for future expansion.
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Low-Latency Computing: By placing the data centers close to where the computing occurs, the client minimized latency, ensuring faster and more efficient data processing, crucial for time-sensitive operations like border security.
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Cost and Energy Savings: The guaranteed PUE ensured efficient energy consumption, reducing long-term operating costs.
Conclusion
The EdgeDC modular data centers provided an agile, secure, and scalable solution for deploying IT infrastructure in international airports. By avoiding the complexities of constructing new buildings, enabling low-latency operations, and supporting effortless scaling, the client achieved a future-proof system capable of supporting critical border security operations. This case highlights the unique advantages of modular solutions in navigating the demanding environments of modern airports.