In the technology and communications world you’re hearing more and more about edge computing and often in the same breath of discussions about 5G and Internet of Things (IoT). Is edge computing another name for cloud computing? The short answer is no, but they can coexist. So what are they and how do they differ? More importantly, how do they work together to provide the best possible experience?
Edge Computing
Edge computing is a type of computing that stores and processes data close to where it is being generated rather than in a centralized location. This is done to reduce latency or the delay between when an action is performed and when its results are experienced.
How does Edge Computing work? – In a traditional centralized computing model, data is sent to a central location to be processed and then sent back to the user. This can cause delays, especially if the data has to travel over a long distance. With edge computing, data is processed at the edge of the network, or close to the source of the data, which makes applications more responsive.
Benefits of Edge Computing – There are several benefits to using edge computing, including reduced latency, improved performance, and increased security.
- Reduced Latency – By processing data closer to the source, edge computing can decrease the time it takes for an action to be performed and for its results to be experienced. This is especially important for real-time applications in prominent verticals, such as healthcare and manufacturing, where even a slight delay can have significant consequences. In healthcare, for example, time is of the essence when responding to emergency situations. By using edge computing to process data from sensors and patient monitoring devices, doctors and nurses can make life-saving decisions more quickly. In manufacturing, edge computing can be used to monitor assembly line machinery in real-time, allowing for faster responses to potential problems.
- Improved Performance – By processing data closer to where it’s being generated, edge computing can reduce the amount of time it takes for an action to be performed and for its results to be experienced. In addition, edge computing can also reduce the load on the network, which can improve its overall performance.
- Increased Security – By processing data at the edge of the network, edge computing can protect data from being intercepted in transit. Edge computing can also provide a physical barrier to prevent data breaches, giving businesses extra peace of mind with increased security measures.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a type of computing that stores and processes data in a remote location. This is done to reduce the cost of storage and processing, as well as to improve scalability. Cloud computing is often used for long-term storage and processing, as well as for applications that require a high level of availability.
How Does Cloud Computing Work? – In a traditional computing model, data is stored and processed on a local server. This can be costly and inefficient, especially for businesses that have a large amount of data. With cloud computing, data is stored and processed in a remote location, such as on a server owned by a cloud provider.
The Benefits of Cloud Computing – There are several benefits to using cloud computing, including reduced cost, improved scalability, and increased availability.
- Reduced Cost – By storing and processing data in a remote location, businesses can save money on the cost of hardware and software. In addition, cloud computing can also reduce the cost of bandwidth, as data does not have to be transferred over a long distance.
- Improved Scalability – A great benefit of utilizing cloud computing is that it improves overall scalability. This is because businesses can increase or decrease their use of cloud services as needed, allowing them to respond quickly to changes in demand.
- Increased Availability – Because data is stored in a remote location, businesses can access this information anywhere, making it more available for employees. This is especially beneficial for businesses that need to access their data from multiple locations.
Edge Computing vs. Cloud Computing
There are several similarities and differences between edge and cloud computing.
Similarities
- Both edge and cloud computing reduces the cost of storage and processing.
- Both edge and cloud computing improve scalability.
- Both edge and cloud computing can increase the availability of data.
Differences
- Edge computing processes data at the edge of the network, while cloud computing processes data in a remote location.
- Edge computing can improve performance by reducing the amount of time it takes for an action to be performed and for its results to be experienced.
- Edge computing can also increase security by processing data at the edge of the network.
- Cloud computing is often used for long-term storage and processing, as well as for applications that require a high level of availability.
How Edge and Cloud Computing Work Together
Edge and cloud computing can work together to provide a more efficient and effective computing experience. To take full advantage of both models, businesses need to develop a hybrid approach that incorporates both technologies.
Here’s a specific example: let’s say you run a mobile app that uses GPS to track the location of your users in real-time. To do this effectively, you need to have access to real-time data about your users’ locations. However, this data is constantly changing, which means it would be extremely costly and inefficient to store it all in a centralized data center.
Instead, you can use edge computing to process this data in real-time at the edge of the network. This would allow you to take advantage of the benefits of cloud computing while still being able to access the data you need in real-time.
Edge and cloud computing can also be used to improve data security. For example, businesses can use edge computing to store sensitive data at the edge of the network. This would make it more difficult for attackers to access this data, as they would need to penetrate both the edge and the cloud.
Conclusion
Edge and cloud computing are two models of computing that offer a number of benefits. By understanding the similarities and differences between these two models, businesses can develop a hybrid approach that incorporates both technologies. This hybrid approach can help businesses improve performance, efficiency, and flexibility while reducing costs.
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