One of the main technological trends for 2022 , along with cybersecurity , is undoubtedly Edge Computing . But what is Edge Computing and why is it a key technological trend?
Since the invention of computers, LANs, and the internet, we have undergone many changes in how IT infrastructure is interconnected. Initially, companies used simple terminals connected to a mainframe , then they used desktop computers with slightly more capacity connected to local data centers, and more recently, they have moved to cloud computing.
Cloud Computing, or the Cloud, is fundamental to understanding what Edge Computing is and the benefits it provides.
In simple terms, the Cloud is a set of servers hosted in large Data Centers anywhere in the world , which we connect to from our end device (Smartphones, Tablet, PC, Laptop, etc.) via the internet to access information or applications of interest to us.
Currently , the Cloud offers many benefits such as scalability, increased data processing performance, and high availability , but it also has some disadvantages since data must travel hundreds or thousands of kilometers to or from the Cloud, and this impacts latency, speed, bandwidth, and network congestion.
Due to these drawbacks, and for certain use cases or applications where latency and delay are critical, Edge Computing becomes relevant and a necessity. Edge Computing is a term used to define the IT architecture that moves computing resources from the central data center or the cloud as close as possible to the user’s end devices . The main objective of Edge Computing is to process data with lower latency and higher speed , while also decongesting the network, which translates into better service and cost savings.
According to Gartner data, the increase in remote and increasingly autonomous devices is forcing companies to give greater priority to smaller private clouds and hybrid IT environments , with computing resource models closer to users based on an Edge Computing architecture.
Edge Computing Use Cases
Edge Computing has different use cases where the main goal is to improve latency and speed of access to applications and data.
The Internet of Things (IoT ) is a prime example of a use case where billions of IoT devices are deployed each year, generating vast amounts of data. When this data is processed at the edge (edge computing) rather than in the cloud, backhaul costs are reduced. IoT devices utilize telemetry, which requires low-latency analysis that can only be achieved at the edge, improving automation efficiency and utilization.
Another key use case is the deployment of 5G cellular technology , which provides faster data access and significantly reduced latency. 5G technology needs to be complemented by edge computing to decentralize data processing, bringing it as close as possible to devices and users.
Additionally, there are other use cases that are applied to Artificial Intelligence solutions, machine learning, online video games, and banking services where the goal is to decentralize data processing, improving speed and latency for a better user experience.
Benefits of Edge Computing
As we have seen throughout this blog, Edge Computing provides many benefits and advantages such as:
- Greater Speed: By bringing data processing closer to end devices and users, the physical distance data travels from one end to the other is reduced, significantly decreasing network congestion and providing faster response times and improved service quality.
- Low Latency: keeps the heaviest traffic and data processing closer to the application and end-user devices, significantly reducing latency and providing real-time responsiveness.
- Reduction of bandwidth costs.
- Accelerate the deployment of new services by simplifying implementation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edge Computing brings computing capabilities and resources closer to users’ terminal devices , giving them greater autonomy and intelligence, achieving the goals of network decongestion, service improvement, and cost savings.
Processing data closer to where it is generated translates into faster information processing and more efficient and rapid decision-making.
Written by: Fernando Bosarreyes, Senior Pre-Sales Engineer at ITS InfoCom
