A comprehensive survey of micro datacenter: current technologies and future possibilities

Abstract

Micro datacenters (μDCs) are emerging miniaturized datacenters poised to revolutionize distributed computing in edge environments by seamlessly integrating compact, modular architectures with localized computing, storage, and networking capabilities. This survey provides a complete and up-to-date review of μDC. We introduce a comprehensive three-layer analytical framework essential for understanding and evaluating μDC technologies: 1) The infrastructure layer empowers μDCs to adapt physical resources, including compute units; 2) The platform layer prioritizes middleware-driven resource orchestration, driving improvements in computational efficiency and energy optimization; 3) At the application layer, μDCs are committed to delivering performance optimizations that meet demanding requirements for latency, reliability, and energy efficiency. This work synthesizes leading-edge implementations and technology trends, clearly outlining critical trade-offs, identifying significant challenges, and defining the research frontiers vital for advancing μDC design and deployment across diverse industrial and extreme environments.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

micro datacenter / distributed collaboration / edge computing

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