Posted by Mike Fitch on Aug 19, 2021
Edge computing. Edge technologies. Edge platforms. Edge devices. Edge to enterprise. We’ve seen the term “edge” used so many times in news, articles, blogs and campaigns that we’re starting to feel some semantic satiation on whether it’s even a real word anymore.
Edge… edge… edge. Okay, never mind; I digress. There are many applicable uses for edge computing, but before we can dive into it, we’re providing thorough understanding of the term so that you can easily define it, provide relevant examples and showcase the benefits the next time a colleague or customer brings it up.
When we think of a literal edge of an object, it indicates the point at which a surface ends, or perhaps the furthest point from the center or core of that surface. If you think of the data center being the center of the object, with connected devices sitting closer to those points farthest from the center, you have the general edge concept. The earliest tech definitions of edge computing were broad, referring to any data stored at the edge of the network. As we’ve been able to dial in the overall edge framework, edge computing refers to the better use of data near a user or device (the edge), rather than in a remote data center (the core).
Edge is often used in the same breath as IoT, devices and 5G connectivity. However, today, less than 10 percent of data is created and processed at the edge, but is expected to grow to 75% by 2025 ( Gartner). As we move toward this reality, it’s important to note why: edge computing ensures devices will become smarter while reducing the reliance on data to be processed and transported from a remote server.
Gartner — The edge is a part of a distributed computing topology in which information processing is located close to the edge — where things and people produce or consume that information.
TechTarget — Edge computing is a distributed information technology (IT) architecture in which client data is processed at the periphery of the network, as close to the originating source as possible.
The Verge — Edge computing is computing that’s done at or near the source of the data, instead of relying on the cloud at one of a dozen data centers to do all the work.
Cloudwards — Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the sources of data.
Cisco — Edge computing is a model that shifts computing resources from central data centers or public clouds closer to devices, that is ,embedded at the edge of service provider networks.
HPE — Edge computing is a distributed, open IT architecture that features decentralized processing power, enabling mobile computing and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.
IBM — Edge computing is a distributed computing framework that brings enterprise applications closer to data sources such as IoT devices or local edge servers.
The edge is a part of a distributed computing topology in which information processing is located close to the edge-where things and people produce or consume that information.
Edge computing is a distributed computing framework that brings enterprise applications closer to data sources such as IoT devices or local edge servers.
In essence, edge computing is about geographic proximity. For years, data has been held in the cloud, which has and will continue to be an asset in data storage. By geographic proximity, the cloud is off-premise, closer to the core of the data center. By comparison, edge technology processes data much closer to the source, such as an individual user or a connected device, for speed, latency and security, rather than depending on the unknown of the cloud.
With approximately 21.5 billion connected IoT devices around the world, the number of edge use cases is vast. Here are some of the more common, likely examples of where you can find efficient use of storing data at the edge:
There have been many useful applications of cloud computing — convenience, cost, efficiency — which is now being taken to the next tier through edge devices. Thanks to devices getting smarter and more powerful, they are becoming more capable of handling and processing large amounts of data, reducing the need for the compute power of a traditional data center. By encouraging organizations to move their data to the edge, there’s an emphasis reducing latency and providing more processing of data close to the source.
The primary benefits of creating, processing and storing data at the edge:
Edge computing will be a critical portion of enterprise IT strategy moving forward. As IoT devices grow in sophistication and innovation, they will be able to handle more of the data creation, management and storage workload that today lives on cloud servers. Over the next few weeks, be on the lookout for additional edge computing content here on Authority as we learn from some of our thought leaders on their perspective.
