Edge computing refers to a distributed computing paradigm where data processing and storage are performed closer to the edge of the network, such as on connected devices or local servers, rather than in a centralized location such as a cloud.
Here are some types of edge computing, as following them:
Mobile Edge Computing (MEC): MEC allows for the processing of data at the edge of the mobile network, closer to the user. It provides low latency, high bandwidth, and a better user experience.
Fog Computing: Fog computing refers to the process of computing and storage resources being placed in the edge of the network to reduce the amount of data that needs to be transferred to the cloud. It enables faster data processing, lower latency, and better security.
Cloudlet Computing: Cloudlet computing is a type of edge computing that involves the deployment of small data centres, called cloudlets, at the edge of the network. Cloudlets are designed to provide computational resources for mobile devices, reducing latency and improving performance.
Smart Edge Computing: Smart edge computing refers to the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms at the edge of the network. It enables the creation of intelligent and autonomous devices, which can perform complex computations locally.
Satellite Edge Computing: Satellite edge computing is the process of placing computing and storage resources on satellites, closer to the point of data generation. It enables faster data processing, lower latency, and improved communication with remote locations.
Industrial Edge Computing: Industrial edge computing refers to the use of edge computing in industrial settings, such as manufacturing plants, where real-time data processing and analysis are critical. It enables predictive maintenance, improved safety, and better efficiency.
The following are some of the components of edge computing:
Edge Devices: These are the devices that are located at the edge of the network, such as smartphones, IoT devices, and sensors, which collect data and perform some basic processing before sending the data to the edge computing infrastructure.
Edge Servers: These are the servers that are located at the edge of the network, which process data and run applications closer to the data source, reducing latency and improving performance. These servers can be physical or virtual and can be located in various locations, such as cell towers, factories, and retail stores.
Edge Gateways: These are the devices that connect the edge devices to the edge servers, providing a bridge between the edge devices and the edge computing infrastructure. Edge gateways can be hardware or software-based and can provide functions such as protocol conversion, data filtering, and security.
Edge Computing Infrastructure: This includes all the hardware and software components required to build an edge computing system, such as servers, storage devices, networking equipment, and software platforms for managing and orchestrating edge applications.
Edge Applications: These are the applications that run on the edge computing infrastructure, performing data processing, analytics, and other tasks closer to the data source, which can help to reduce latency, improve performance, and reduce bandwidth usage. Examples of edge applications include real-time video analytics, predictive maintenance, and autonomous vehicles.
Edge Analytics: Edge analytics refers to the process of analysing data at the edge of the network, where the data is generated, to derive insights and make decisions in real-time. Edge analytics can help to reduce the latency associated with sending data to a centralized location for analysis, enabling faster decisionmaking.
Edge computing architecture refers to the design and implementation of computing systems that enable the processing, storage, and analysis of data closer to the edge of the network, or where the data is being generated or consumed. This architecture is designed to minimize latency, reduce bandwidth requirements, and improve data security.
At its core, edge computing architecture involves the deployment of small computing devices, such as routers, gateways, and micro data centers, at the network edge. These devices are capable of processing data in real-time, which can reduce the need for data to be transmitted to a centralized data center for processing.
The working of edge computing can be summarized in the following steps:
• Data is generated by devices at the edge of the network, such as sensors, cameras, and other IoT devices.
• This data is collected by local gateways or edge servers that are located closer to the devices, reducing latency and network traffic.
• The edge servers process and analyze the data in real-time, using algorithms and machine learning models to derive insights and actions.
• The results of the analysis are then sent to the cloud for further processing or storage, or directly to the end-user devices for immediate action.
• Edge computing can also be used to provide real-time services and applications, such as video analytics, facial recognition, and natural language processing.
There are several advantages of edge computing over traditional cloud computing:
Reduced Latency: Edge computing brings data processing closer to the source of data, reducing the time it takes for the data to be transmitted to a central location and back. This reduces latency and improves application performance, making it particularly beneficial for real-time applications like video streaming, autonomous vehicles, and industrial control systems.
Improved Reliability: Edge computing can increase the reliability of applications by reducing the dependence on centralized cloud resources. By distributing computing power across multiple nodes, edge computing can create a more faulttolerant system that can continue to function even if one node fails.
Enhanced Privacy and Security: Edge computing can improve privacy and security by keeping data closer to its source and reducing the need for data to be transmitted to a central location. This can reduce the risk of data breaches and improve compliance with data protection regulations.
Reduced Bandwidth Costs: Edge computing can help reduce bandwidth costs by processing data locally and only transmitting the data that is needed to a central location. This can reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted over the network, saving on bandwidth costs and reducing network congestion.
Increased Scalability: Edge computing can enable applications to scale more easily by distributing computing power across multiple nodes. This can improve the performance and reliability of applications that need to scale rapidly in response to changing demand.
Better Performance: Edge computing can improve application performance by processing data locally, reducing the amount of data that needs to be transmitted to a central location, and enabling faster response times.
While edge computing offers several advantages over traditional cloud computing, there are also some disadvantages to consider, including:
Limited Processing Power: Edge devices typically have limited processing power compared to cloud servers, which can limit the complexity of the tasks that can be performed on the data.
Security Risks: Since edge devices are often deployed in remote or uncontrolled locations, they are vulnerable to physical tampering, theft, and hacking. Securing these devices and the data they process can be challenging.
Increased Complexity: Implementing an edge computing system requires a more complex infrastructure than traditional cloud computing, including more hardware and software components, which can be challenging to manage.
Data Consistency: Since data is processed locally, it may not always be consistent with data processed in the cloud, leading to discrepancies that can be difficult to reconcile.
Scalability: Edge computing systems may be more difficult to scale than traditional cloud computing systems since they rely on multiple distributed devices, and adding new devices can be challenging.
Maintenance and Upgrades: Maintenance and upgrades for edge devices can be challenging, especially if the devices are located in remote or hard-to-reach locations.
Higher Costs: Edge computing can require significant investment in hardware, software, and networking infrastructure, which can make it more expensive than traditional cloud computing.
