The present world relies heavily on cloud computing and mobile technology. These technologies influence everything, from workplace models to communication and data processing. Therefore, it is a general assumption that there’s no place for physical infrastructure in such a world.
Advancements in cloud service platforms and mobile technology make headlines, and the only mention of physical infrastructure like fiber-optic lines is during outages. However, as you’ll learn below, physical components form a complex network that creates a foundation for all digital interactions.
Physical Infrastructure: The Hidden Backbone
Numerous interconnected physical components communicate before you receive that file saved in the cloud or that video call on a social networking site. These components create a network comprising conduits and pole lines, among others. As such, a collapsed pole can disrupt the connection or deny you access to your cloud-saved data.
David from Lynx Planning & Engineering, an expert in pole line analysis, says, “Factors like wildfires and high winds can cause an environmental load that makes utility poles fail.” It calls for regular inspection and maintenance of components like fiber lines to repair the effects of environmental exposure and prevent slow data transmission and outages.
Here are other reasons why a mobile-first, cloud-driven world needs physical infrastructure.
Data Centers Enable Cloud Services
When you say you’ve saved your files in cloud services, it almost sounds like the process does not involve physical hardware. Nevertheless, the reality is that cloud-based services rely on a data center with servers, cooling systems, and other physical components.
Thus, whenever you prompt your computer to retrieve a document, you reach into its server rack that may be miles away from your office. The servers run around the clock; thus, they need adequate energy to secure the data and control the temperature in the facility. If anything interferes with these physical components, servers may lose your data.
Hardware shortage is one of the reasons for the delayed construction of fiber networks and data centers. It’s impossible to upgrade a cloud service without components like optical transceivers.
Physical Backhaul Supports Mobile Networks
Although your mobile phone is wireless, unlike a traditional phone, it receives the signal through a network of physical components. For instance, when you call, the phone transmits the signal to the nearest cell tower.
Then, the data passes through a series of transmission equipment and fiber-optic cables to the carrier network for conversion into audio. This complex network is the backhaul, and it links your wireless gadget to the cloud and other networks. The mobile connection is thus impossible without the physical components.
Local Hardware for Edge Computing
Technology also allows you to process data closer to its source than in a distant cloud server. That’s what edge computing is all about. It reduces the time required in data processing, especially when you need fast responsiveness, such as in autonomous cars and augmented reality.
Instead of distant servers, the process uses local hardware comprising edge servers and micro data centers. In addition to saving time, such close resources increase reliability and reduce latency.
Cybersecurity
A person can tamper with data saved in cloud service when they gain access to your server. Thus, physical infrastructure helps secure servers and data centers before you go to the next level and secure digital systems using encryption and firewalls. You want to control the access points to enhance data security at the physical level.
For instance, establish round-the-clock surveillance using CCTV cameras to know who accesses your data servers and when. You can also restrict unauthorized access by installing biometric scanners. Alternatives are housing servers in racks and restricting unauthorized access to the network ports and cables. All of these are changes you make at the physical level.
Integrating Hybrid Cloud and Legacy Systems
As more companies and people embrace digital systems, they also want ways to manage sensitive data or connect legacy systems that do not operate on cloud services. Further, there may be a need to integrate private cloud or company-owned infrastructure with public cloud services. All of these activities require physical infrastructure. Such a network incorporates routers and switches to enable a smooth data flow from the premise to cloud systems.
Disaster Recovery Systems
Since digital systems rely on physical components, as we’ve explained, you need a physical disaster recovery strategy to restart your systems. It could be after a natural disaster, a data attack, or an outage. Although backup software is vital in recovery, you also need physical infrastructure.
For instance, although your recovery strategy can include a failover system to reroute workload to another location when the primary system fails, you need several physical components. These include a backup server and generator to ensure the hardware runs despite the outage.
Hardware Upgrades to Optimize Performance
As technology changes and introduces higher speed and greater bandwidth, hardware upgrades are necessary for your mobile applications and cloud services to run smoothly. For example, network switches should match faster speeds to ensure efficient data transfer. Further, you may require better server racks when the processing power changes.
Infrastructural Expansion Ensures Connectivity Equity
Access to digital systems and mobile networks isn’t equal globally. Nevertheless, any region that wants to ensure connectivity equity requires better physical infrastructure. For instance, there should be fiber-optic lines connecting cities and rural areas. Mobile networks also require cell towers erected across a region. Thus, despite efforts to improve software that enhances cloud and mobile technology, the physical components that connect regions should also be a priority.
Conclusion
The world seems to pay more attention to software improvements that enhance cloud service and mobile technology, forgetting that these systems rely on physical infrastructure. For instance, a phone call requires several physical components, including a cell tower.
In addition, the security of digital systems and mobile technology requires physical components to protect server access points. For instance, biometrics can restrict personnel that access company data centers. In addition, an admin password restricts access to routers in a home network. The physical integrates with the virtual and ensures an efficient digital system.
nandbox App Builder
The nandbox App Builder demonstrates how sophisticated mobile and cloud technologies effortlessly integrate with physical infrastructure to provide powerful no-code app development capabilities. While nandbox allows users to create and launch native mobile applications without writing a single line of code, it relies on the cloud for hosting, data storage, and real-time updates.
