What is the architecture of edge computing?

Overview

Edge computing is a computing type that occurs at or near the end devicesThe device that generates and receive the information. in real-time.

The information is processed closer to the user’s site instead of a centralized data center. It only sends those requests to data centers that require more processing power. It lies in the distributed paradigm. In distributed paradigm applications components are present in different systems located in different locations instead of a single system.

Why use edge computing?

With the invention of cloud computing, there has been a massive increase in the amount of data generated. We can access any data from anywhere without any limitations. It enables us to produce more useful information without any geographical restrictions. But cloud computing is slightly slower as data needs to go to cloud servers for computations. This is where edge computing helps us. It reduces the latency of data transfer.

Components of edge computing

Edge devices: These are the devices that control data flow at the edge or boundary. They're usually ARM or x86 CPUs with at least two cores and 2GB of memory. These devices can handle computations without involving the cloud. It includes IoT sensors, computers, laptops, security cameras, and so on.

Edge server: Servers that perform less complex computations located near to end-user are called edge servers. It is located in operation facilities like factories, stores, and hotels. It is constructed using industrial PCs. It's common to find edge servers consisting of 8 to 16 PC clusters, each having 16 or many cores, 16 or 32GB of Memory, and more than a Terabyte of storage.

Edge gateway: It serves as an entry point to the cloud. It controls essential network function like firewall management, protocol translation, wireless connection, network termination, and so on.

Cloud: A centralized server that does more complex computational work. It also helps in hosting the applications for edge users. It could be private or public, and it stores models like the neuron network that helps applications do their tasks.

Applications of edge computing

Today’s edge computing is helping people in manufacturing, gaming, financial services, healthcare, retail, self-driving vehicles, the oil and gas industry, and many more. Edge computing has enabled businesses to operate at maximum capacity and more efficiently.

Advantages of edge computing

Following are the advantages of edge computing:

• Being closer to the end-user improves response time and reduces latency. This is because data does not need to travel from user to cloud server and back. As a result, it causes a reduction in latency and improves response time.
• Data does not go to the cloud resulting in no traffic at the cloud link and most of the data analysis work also takes place at edge servers. Therefore, it provides better bandwidth availability and quick data analysis.
• It provides a more consistent user experience and improves overall performance. Most of the computations are done at edge servers, which is faster than doing the same computation in the cloud server. Therefore, users get a better and more consistent experience of the product.
• Fewer data travels to data centers providing more privacy to the users. Most of the data is located near edge devices and little data goes to cloud servers, Hackers will not find any useful data.