What is edge computing and why does it matter?

 Edge Computing Explained

In the age of the cloud, edge computing is one of the hottest topics in tech. But what exactly is edge computing? How does it work? And what can it do? In this article, you’ll learn all about edge computing, including its benefits and drawbacks. You’ll also learn why edge computing might become important to your business, and where it might be more useful than you think.

The 5 Types of Edge Computing

Just as the cloud is not a single thing, edge computing is not just one thing. There are 5 primary types of edge computing that companies and governments can choose from when designing their technology stack. The first 3 types of edge computing involve sending some data off-site to a cloud server, but then keeping other data on local servers for quick access and to minimize latency. The last 2 types of edge computing keep all data local for security reasons.

Edge computing basics

By definition, edge computing is computing that occurs at the edge of a network—any place where a device interacts with other systems and services. At first glance, it seems pretty straightforward. However, upon further inspection, you’ll find that there are multiple types of edge computing (e.g., Fog and Fade), as well as many reasons why organizations deploy edge computing in their networks.

Edge Network components

The edge computing stack is made up of three main layers: The Sensors, The Gateways, and The Cloud. Each layer of edge computing has its own unique characteristics and responsibilities. This guide will go through a deeper analysis of each layer to help you understand what it means for your business.

Edge compute node deployment models

There are three main deployment models for edge compute nodes: centralized, distributed, and hybrid. In a centralized model, all computing is performed in one location. In a distributed model, processing takes place at various points across a large network but data is consolidated back to a single point. A hybrid model, as it sounds, combines both of these concepts by distributing certain workloads while centralizing others.

Special Challenges in the IoT environment

Edge computing is important because it ensures you get information about your environment as soon as possible. By storing and processing data at nodes near or on IoT devices themselves, edge computing reduces latency between a person making a request for data from their wearable device and receiving an answer.

Example use cases

Edge computing is a relatively new technology that has been developed to address limitations with cloud computing. There are a variety of reasons businesses are implementing edge computing, including mitigating data latency and increasing security. Read on to learn more about edge computing and its underlying technologies.