Edge computing is not a “Buzzword” anymore as enterprises make the best use of it during our times. It has transformed the way in which data is being processed, handled and then distributed to users across the globe. Edge computing systems are further driven by a massive growth in IOT (Internet of things) and several new applications that require real time computers. Digital transformation is pushing enterprises towards the edge so to speak when it comes to implementing edge computing within their environment.
What Exactly is Edge Computing?
Edge computing is very well defined by Gartner. Edge computing is defined as being a part of a distributed computer system and the information processed by things or people are towards the edge. Now rather than relying on one centrally located computer system which is miles away, businesses can benefit by the amalgamation of computation and data storage.
In this fast world, latency issues can have a huge impact on the performance of an application. When an organization can tap into real-time data without losing anytime, it helps them stay on top of things. Companies are able to save money when they don’t need to save money on data processing on a cloud based on central location.
It was the rapid progress and growth in the IoT devices due to which the edge computing was developed. IoT generates an enormous amount of data and so organizations can make the best use
How Does Edge Computing Work?
In order to understand it clearly, think about the devices that are used in a printing press or a security camera sending in live feed from a manufacturing unit. If there is one device sending real-time data over the network it is smooth, but if there are many devices sending real time data over the same network then that gives way to problems. Now just for thought purposes just think about what will happen if thousands of security cameras are sending over real time data at the same time. It will mean a lack of quality and latency issues, and the money required for bandwidth would also be huge.
For many of these systems edge computing solves the problem by being a local device to store and process the data. For example, the edge gateway becomes a local source of processing and storage for these systems. The gateway works in such a way that it only processes the data received from edge devices and sends relevant data back on the cloud. This helps save a lot of bandwidth during the real time operations.
There are several devices that constitute edge computing devices such as the latest smartphone, IoT sensor, notebook computer, internet connected microwave, security camera and so on. These devices and technology have changed the way most industries operated in the past and paved the way in which future devices are connected and used.