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Today Google Cloud announced the general availability of Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance, a new configuration of Google Distributed Cloud that brings Google’s cloud and AI capabilities to tactical edge environments.

In harsh, disconnected, or mobile environments like remote research stations, long-haul trucking operations or disaster zones, organizations face significant challenges in providing computing capabilities. Previously, organizations with mission-critical workloads lacked access to important cloud and AI capabilities when in demanding edge environments, including those that present unique challenges and requirements.

Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance is an integrated hardware and software solution that unlocks real-time local data processing for AI use cases such as object detection, medical imaging analysis, and predictive maintenance for critical infrastructure. The appliance can be conveniently transported in a rugged case or mounted in a rack within customer-specific local operating environments.

Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance offers:

• Full isolation: Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance is designed to operate without any connectivity to Google Cloud or the public internet. The appliance remains fully functional in disconnected environments, preserving the security and isolation of the infrastructure, services, and the APIs that it manages. This makes it ideal for processing sensitive data, while meeting strict regulatory, compliance, and sovereignty requirements.
• Advanced AI capabilities: Customers can enhance the performance of their mission-critical applications by utilizing built-in AI solutions from the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance like translation, speech, and optical character recognition (OCR). For instance, they can use OCR and translation features to scan and translate documents written in different languages, making them accessible and understandable for their end users.
• Integrated cloud services:   Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance offers both infrastructure-as-a-services (IaaS) features like compute, networking, and storage, and Google Cloud services like data transfer and data analytics technologies.
• Data security: Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance includes robust security features like encryption, data isolation, firewalls, and secure boot to protect sensitive information.
• Rugged and portable design: Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance is built to withstand harsh environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, shock, and vibration. Weighing approximately 100lbs, it’s human-portable, making it easy to transport and deploy in various locations.

The Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance enables a wide array of use cases for organizations with stringent security requirements, including:

• Industrial automation: Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance offers an innovative solution for remote equipment monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process optimization in challenging environments at the edge. For instance, in the manufacturing sector, the appliance can be leveraged to track and optimize equipment performance in remote plants, leading to enhanced productivity and minimized downtime.
• Transportation and logistics: Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance supports the unique demands of fleet management, autonomous vehicles, and real-time logistics optimization. For example, the appliance can facilitate the deployment and operation of autonomous vehicles by enabling the real-time collection, processing, and decision-making, helping autonomous vehicles safely and efficiently navigate complex environments.
• Restricted workloads for sensitive industries: Google Distributed Cloud’s air-gapped appliance is designed to meet the demands of restricted workloads, such as sensitive data analysis, AI inference and simulations, and intelligence translation, while adhering to security and supporting compliance regulations.
• Disaster response: Disaster-stricken areas often lack the necessary infrastructure to support traditional communication and data processing systems for coordinating relief efforts. Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance can be rapidly deployed to disaster-affected areas, even in the absence of internet connectivity, and comes pre-loaded with essential software and tools for data collection and analysis, enabling immediate response to emergencies.

To learn more, visit the Google Distributed Cloud air-gapped appliance website.

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