Some analysts say that in a dozen years, edge computing will eat up the cloud ones the same way the latter are now devouring the traditional data centers. But it is not that simple, as cloud and edge work together. In this article, you will find out what the true essence of edge computing is, how business can benefit from them and where they are actively introduced.
What is edge computing?
Edge computing is a method of bringing computing power physically closer to where data is generated. By processing data at the network’s edge, edge computing reduces the need to transfer large amounts of data between servers, the cloud, and devices for processing.
Today, companies need instant access to their data to make quick and informed decisions. Edge computing can help improve security, increase productivity, automate processes, and optimize customer interactions.
The concept of edge computing is closely related to fog and cloud computing.
Difference between fog and edge computing
If we imagine all types of computing as a pyramid, the edge would be the foundation, and the cloud would be at the top. In between, there might be another layer — fog computing. Fog acts as a data receiver from the edge layer before it reaches the cloud and “decides” which data is relevant and important.
Meanwhile, edge computing sends massive streams of data to the cloud without filtering them. Fog, in turn, removes irrelevant data and passes only the important information to the cloud. Additionally, fog increases efficiency and can be used to enhance cybersecurity and meet regulatory requirements.
It’s worth noting that edge computing can function without fog computing, but fog computing cannot work without edge computing.
Benefits of Edge Computing
Reduced latency
Edge computing processes and stores data close to where it is generated, rather than in a remote data center. This is crucial for services where every millisecond counts, such as virtual reality, gaming, or Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Better data protection
Data security is extremely important today. Edge computing allows sensitive information to be processed on user devices rather than in a central office. Keeping critical data locally reduces the risk of cyberattacks. Encryption and firewalls on edge devices also help protect against unauthorized access.
Real-time analytics
Edge computing enables real-time data analysis. Companies can get instant insights without sending data to a central cloud, increasing efficiency and extending equipment life. It also smartly uses bandwidth by exchanging only necessary data. It helps boost productivity and reduce costs.
Cost efficiency
Companies can use less bandwidth and pay less for cloud computing. This leads to lower operational costs and optimized resource use.
Improved scalability
The new type of computing helps process large volumes of data from multiple devices. It prevents network overload and delays.
Where edge computing is used
IoT
Coffee machines, vacuum cleaners, cars, smartphones — all these devices can be connected to the wide-ranging Internet of Things. They exchange data, which is created and processed at the edge. It makes them faster and more efficient.
Manufacturing uses edge computing for monitoring equipment and tracking inventory in warehouses. Retailers use it for better inventory control and logistics management. For example, Walmart actively installs mini-servers at the edge for analytics on customer experiences.
Autonomous vehicles
Autonomous vehicles, such as driverless cars, are equipped with several IoT sensors that collect large volumes of data every second. To respond instantly, they require real-time data processing, and relying on remote servers for rapid decision-making is not ideal. Moreover, autonomous vehicles communicate more effectively by first connecting with each other rather than sending data about weather, traffic, or accidents to a distant server.
Healthcare
Edge computing helps monitor patients’ vital signs such as body temperature, blood sugar levels, or blood pressure. Medical facilities can store patients’ personal and medical data locally to enhance its security.
Energy sector
Energy companies use edge computing to collect and store data about oil rigs, gas fields, wind turbines, and solar power plants. Edge computing helps the industry improve operational efficiency, ensure employee safety, and predict future maintenance needs.
The future of edge computing
Edge computing is still in the early stages of adoption but is expected to have a bright future:
- Gartner predicts that by 2025, 75% of enterprise data will be processed at the edge rather than in centralized locations.
- 5G networks will expand new use cases for edge computing on mobile devices and in wireless locations.
Together with fog computing, edge computing is used to solve tasks involving real-time data processing and analysis. Both models have numerous practical applications in today’s digital age and will play an increasingly important role in the future of computing, including the cloud ones.
