Zella DC launches outdoor micro data centre in Japan

Zella DC, previously known as Zellabox, has deployed its first micro data centre in Japan. The data centre was commissioned by Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ), and is a complete, outdoor-optimized facility is a 12U model of the available 12-38U range of products.

The Zella Hut is the outdoor version of the company’s Zella Pro model. It is waterproof, dust-proof, and highly automated. The Zella Hut system also includes self-contained cooling, uninterruptible power supply (UPS), environmental sensors and physical security features including security cameras.

IIJ is looking to micro data centres to complete the buildout of a multi-access edge computing (MEC) system, in anticipation of optimizing the Japanese 5G rollout. Yoshikazu Yamai, Managing Executive Officer of the Edge Project Team for IIJ, emphasized the way that the microdata centre will enable IIJ service offerings.

“Internet Initiative Japan (IIJ) is the first commercial internet service provider in Japan. We are progressing our service capability of IT and digital infrastructure, including the data centre.”

“Zella DC is the microdata centre we’ve been looking for,” he continued, “because it will be one of our edge computing solution enablers. I’m confident that the partnership between Zella DC and IIJ leads our cutting-edge technology and provides more value to our customers.”

A micro data centre (MDC) system on the edge will provide low latency, efficient, secure services that make the most of 5G technology – supporting the implementation of smart factories, telemedicine, autonomous driving.

Earlier this month, IIJ announced that it would conduct a demonstration of the Zella MDC product on its Shiroi campus. This demonstration would be targeted at equipment verification, operation scenarios, and testing of remote monitoring and operations of the Zella Hut from the management system at Shiroi DCC.

Remote management of a micro data centre is key to the efficient, scalable deployment of an edge network. Without remote management, the labour costs required to physically oversee micro edge data centres could make the system prohibitively expensive. However, Zella Hut offers advanced automation and physical security, minimizing the need for hands-on intervention.

Angie Keeler, CEO and Co-Founder of Zella DC, said, “We are excited about this partnership with IIJ, and to deploy our first Zella Hut in Japan. Edge Computing and 5G connectivity are at the core of our business. It’s great to be part of this trial and to work with IIJ to develop this innovative solution.