LATEST NEWS

DataBank Begins Developing 3rd Data Center on Ashburn, VA Campus. Read the press release.

Get a Quote

Request a Quote

Tell us about your infrastructure requirements and how to reach you, and one of team members will be in touch shortly.

Schedule a Tour

Tour Our Facilities

Let us know which data center you'd like to visit and how to reach you, and one of team members will be in touch shortly.

Get a Quote

Request a Quote

Tell us about your infrastructure requirements and how to reach you, and one of team members will be in touch shortly.

Schedule a Tour

Tour Our Facilities

Let us know which data center you'd like to visit and how to reach you, and one of team members will be in touch shortly.

Get a Quote

Request a Quote

Tell us about your infrastructure requirements and how to reach you, and one of team members will be in touch shortly.

Schedule a Tour

Tour Our Facilities

Let us know which data center you'd like to visit and how to reach you, and one of team members will be in touch shortly.

5G And Data Centers: A Symbiotic Relationship

5G And Data Centers: A Symbiotic Relationship


5G and data centers have formed a symbiotic relationship that is reshaping the way we experience and manage information. Here is a straightforward guide to the way 5G and data centers are transforming the way online services are delivered and used.

5G-enabled services

The excitement around 5G is largely based on what the technology promises to achieve. Here are just three of the most exciting and promising services that 5G enables.

Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)

Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) leverages the remarkable speed and bandwidth capabilities of 5G networks to deliver unparalleled mobile broadband services to users. With significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to its predecessors, eMBB looks set to transform the capabilities of the mobile internet. 

The arrival of eMBB is improving the user experience of performing existing data-intensive tasks over mobile networks. For example, users can now upload large files, stream videos and access virtual reality applications in the same way as they would on a fixed network.

Massive machine-type communication (mMTC)

Massive machine-type communication (mMTC) is designed to facilitate the seamless connection of an enormous number of devices. These can be anything from sensors and smart appliances to industrial machinery. 

The key strength of mMTC lies in its ability to manage a massive number of low-power, low-complexity devices. In particular, mMTC enables these devices to communicate effortlessly within the 5G ecosystem. 

Ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC)

Ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC) is designed to serve applications that need to receive data in as close to real-time as technologically possible. Currently, these include healthcare applications, autonomous vehicles, and safety equipment. 

The development of URLLC could pave the way for innovations that could literally be life-changing. In particular, URLLC could be used in telemedicine. This could, in turn, enable advanced medical care to be delivered no matter where the patient is located. 

Network infrastructure upgrades

The arrival of just about any major new technology generally requires an upgrade of existing infrastructure. This is certainly true of 5G. Here are five of the key upgrades that will be required to leverage 5G technology in a meaningful way.

Fiber-based backhaul systems: Upgrading to 5G requires a shift from traditional copper-based backhaul systems to fiber-based solutions. Fiber-optic cables offer significantly higher bandwidth and lower latency, providing the necessary infrastructure to support the increased data demands of 5G networks.

Edge computing facilities: Placing computing resources closer to end-users at the edge of the network reduces the physical distance data must travel. This minimizes latency and enhances overall network performance. It therefore delivers faster response times and improved user experiences.

Scalable transmission slot duration: The 5G standard introduces scalable transmission slot duration, allowing flexibility to support different services and Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. This therefore ensures that the network can adapt to diverse communication needs, optimizing the utilization of available resources.

Network slicing implementation: Network slicing involves creating virtual networks tailored to specific applications or services. Implementing network slicing allows operators to allocate resources much more efficiently. This is essential for meeting the varied requirements of services like enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC).

Small cell deployments: Small cells, distributed in high-traffic areas, augment existing macro cell towers. They help to prevent network congestion and, hence, to ensure consistent, high-quality connectivity in densely populated regions.

Latency improvements

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination. Minimizing latency is therefore essential to the performance of demanding applications. For this reason, 5G has been designed to offer unprecedented upload and download speeds. Here are five of the main techniques it uses to achieve this.

Advanced modulation and coding schemes: By optimizing how data is encoded and modulated, 5G networks can transmit larger amounts of information in shorter time intervals, contributing to reduced latency and improved performance.

Low-latency service prioritization: This involves prioritizing network traffic based on the urgency of data delivery. This ensures that applications sensitive to delays are prioritized over less urgent ones. For example, video calls are prioritized over email.

Efficient resource orchestration: Network resources, including bandwidth and computing power, are dynamically allocated based on the specific requirements of different services. This optimized orchestration therefore ensures that resources are allocated in a way that minimizes latency for diverse applications and scenarios.

Advanced radio technologies: 5G utilizes advanced radio technologies such as massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems and beamforming. Massive MIMO enhances capacity by using numerous antennas for simultaneous communication, while beamforming concentrates signals toward specific users. These technologies optimize spectrum usage, improve data rates, and contribute to the efficient and high-performance nature of 5G networks.

Dynamic load balancing: 5G networks implement dynamic load balancing algorithms that continuously assess network conditions. By intelligently distributing traffic across available resources, these algorithms prevent bottlenecks and congestion. The result is improved overall network performance and lower latency for end-users interacting with latency-sensitive applications.

 

Related Resources:

Running a 5G Edge Data Center: What You Need to Know

Future Trends in Cloud Data Centers

Share Article



Categories

Discover the DataBank Difference

Discover the DataBank Difference

Explore the eight critical factors that define our Data Center Evolved approach and set us apart from other providers.
Download Now
Get Started

Get Started

Discover the DataBank Difference today:
Hybrid infrastructure solutions with boundless edge reach and a human touch.

Get A Quote

Request a Quote

Tell us about your infrastructure requirements and how to reach you, and one of the team members will be in touch.

Schedule a Tour

Tour Our Facilities

Let us know which data center you’d like to visit and how to reach you, and one of the team members will be in touch shortly.