Edge computing can be an important part of your cloud (and innovation) strategy, enabling previously impossible use cases.
One of the attractive aspects of cloud computing is that its computing resources can exist virtually anywhere on the globe. It can also be the Achilles heel in some use cases . There are several cases where a computing transaction needs to be completed closer to the physical location where an event occurs. This could be driven by some combination of processing time, data volumes, or redundancy.
In this case, it makes sense to have computing resources closer to where an event occurs. Because these resources are pushed to the “edge” of a cloud environment, they are often referred to as edge computing.
Edge computing use cases
While this may seem like a niche scenario, there are several cases where edge computing could be relevant. Here are some example use cases.
Image processing
With the emergence of inexpensive and relatively high-quality camera equipment, there is a growing desire to analyze images from these devices. A highway department, for example, could count vehicles or estimate their speed from video footage to detect traffic incidents. Similarly, a retail location could count people and use the data to determine staffing levels during busy periods.
Sending video data to a cloud data center requires significant bandwidth . Moving the counting algorithms to individual cameras or a computing device connected to the cameras eliminates the need to stream high-bandwidth video to a distant data center in the cloud.
Connected vehicles and the Internet of Things
Vehicles are increasingly connected and most roadmaps for future iterations of connected vehicles enable fast communications between vehicles and infrastructure. When a danger is detected a few hundred meters ahead, the ability to quickly share this information with other vehicles and take preventative action is an obvious benefit.
In this scenario, network latency becomes a critical factor . A vehicle that sends information to a distant cloud and needs to wait for a response may incur several seconds of waiting. This “time penalty” can be the difference between avoiding danger or increasing chaos. Edge computing can provide a limited subset of functionality close to the action, avoiding the extra time required to complete transactions in a distant cloud.
Similarly, with Internet of Things Technology , a wide range of sensors in a factory or industrial environment can transmit large volumes of data. Edge computing devices can capture and analyze this data and share alerts or anomalies in real time .
Other latency-dependent applications may include high-speed commercial applications or industrial controls where milliseconds are important.
Disconnected apps
Another broad category that can take advantage of edge computing is disconnected applications. They can range from remote branch offices with inconsistent connectivity to passenger aircraft or cruise ships that require computing resources even when “decoupled” from always-on connectivity. This category also includes critical applications ranging from medical data collection networks to point-of-sale applications that need to continue processing customer transactions. even if the cloud connection fails .
In this case, edge computing allows data synchronization and duplication of a subset of cloud capabilities that can operate in a disconnected manner. In many cases, end users can use edge resources seamlessly or connect to all cloud resources without knowing the complex orchestration taking place in the background.
Various combinations of these use cases may also be relevant to your organization. A remote manufacturing facility may contain hundreds of sensors that transmit data in real time, requiring a low-latency connection to a local edge computing device. This installation may also have limited bandwidth so that the edge computing device can effectively analyze and filter data and then report the findings to the cloud for action.
Integrating Edge Computing into your cloud strategy
Edge computing solves several challenges with the centralized structure of cloud computing. Most major cloud providers have recognized the benefits of edge computing and are integrating capabilities for managing edge devices into their cloud toolkits.
When designing your cloud strategy, if you encounter applications or use cases that may require reduced data exchange, low latency, and the ability to operate in a disconnected state, there may be a problem. opportunity for an edge computing device . As you design your cloud architecture , find locations and applications that can meet these criteria. Work with your architects and cloud providers to identify hardware and resources that can operate in an edge environment.
Edge computing principles can also be incorporated into your application designs. With the abundance of low-cost, low-power computing devices, ranging from off-the-shelf devices to custom hardware, you can build applications that balance the power and extensible nature of the cloud with the demand to perform critical transactions closer together. from where. they occur. Build edge-related architectural and testing requirements into your development patterns to ensure you are considering these needs and testing their performance in a realistic environment before deployment.
Finally, consider the opportunities for innovation presented by edge computing. Small devices with limited computing and some form of radio-based communication are falling below $100, with dozens of manufacturers providing standardized hardware, provisioning, and management tools. What previously unimaginable applications and services could you create if you could place limited computing and connectivity virtually anywhere in the world? Getting some Raspberry Pis, Arduino boards, or particle kits into the hands of your technology teams could result in an innovative solution to a previously unsolvable business problem.
It's worth understanding the fundamentals of edge computing and how it integrates with your cloud platform, and then incorporating edge into your development strategy and patterns, even if you don't have an immediate application for edge computing. You're probably already using edge computing in some way, even if you haven't explicitly defined it in your architecture. Understanding the potential use cases and growing capabilities and integration with cloud computing can generate significant additional value.
