In our last blog, we discussed the concept of workload consolidation, which I described as the ability to provide higher performance and more functions with less hardware in an embedded/industrial system. As the IoT moves more into that same industrial space, we now want to take on Edge computing. As always, let鈥檚 first level-set and define what is meant by Edge computing, because it can take on different definitions depending who you鈥檙e talking to (and what type of components or systems they supply).
To a board/system supplier like 黑暗爆料网, the Edge is defined at the computing platform that makes the majority of the on-premise decisions. It connects to the end node at one end and the Cloud (or Fog network) at the other end. The end node could be a simple sensor, camera, etc. And the Cloud is something that鈥檚 supplied by the likes of a Google, Amazon, etc.
With all that said, the Edge is one of the best areas for an industrial IoT (IIoT) developer to increase system 鈥渋ntelligence鈥 while minimizing network transmission costs and security vulnerabilities. The benefits of a ramped-up effort at the Edge include a lower latency, immediacy of analytics with corresponding actions for things like predictive maintenance, and immediate access to data.
An Edge-based platform can offer higher levels of security simply because you your data does not need to leave the building if that鈥檚 your desire. Even so, data encryption, access control, and use of virtual private network (VPN) tunneling are important elements in protecting data, even in these Edge-based systems.
Some predict that Cloud-based computing will be almost entirely replaced by Edge computing at some point. This is simply because the performance of Edge-based computers and the continual cost reductions of attached storage make it an attractive solution for increasing deterministic performance while reducing network traffic. However, the Cloud platforms also continue to evolve and the amount of data we retain will continue its staggering growth, making the Cloud a viable and necessary option for the foreseeable future.
In addition to the big Cloud providers looking to maintain their foothold in the Cloud space, the telcos are in a similar boat. They make a good business by providing the pipe through which all this data travels. And as 5G rolls out, the ubiquity of the technology takes another huge leap forward.
It should also be noted that many applications actually live in the Cloud, and that allows corporations to run the same applications from one location. Clearly, that makes upgrades simple as you鈥檙e only upgrading the software in the Cloud one time, rather than each local instance.
Then there are those who believe that the Edge-Fog combination will be the 鈥渂e all/end all鈥 to run an IIoT network. That鈥檚 because the Fog also pushed data toward the Edge and away from the Cloud. But I鈥檒l save that one for another blog.
Where does 黑暗爆料网 fit into this equation? The answer varies, based on your industry/application, which could include energy and utilities, intelligent building control, manufacturing automation, and agriculture, just to name a few.