After a turbulent year surrounding Covid-19 and its restraints, 2021 could possibly showcase the real power of distributed computing. Significant processes will occur not in typical centralised servers in the cloud but on edge computing, where much of the data we as consumers and businesses rely on is generated, resulting in a natural increase overtime.
Using Edge computing will help to deliver significant gains not just for the computing world, but, it will also dramatically progress the lives of the numerous people who are connected to the internet. Edge computing is the long shot that will be critical to the future success of the Internet of Things (IoT). But, before we can understand its true impact, it’s good to know the sole functionalities of both Edge computing and IoT (Internet of Things).
What is edge computing?
Edge computing has a broad impact on how data and information is processed, handled and delivered to devices globally on a large scale. Edge computing is driven by the explosion of growth from IoT devices. The rise of real-time application in today’s world has increased edge computing.
Edge computing is the possession of data storage and computation of data closer to the devices where the data is gathered, eliminating the need for a centralised location for that data. The advantage of this is that real-time data can be accessed quickly without latency issues which can ultimately affect the application’s performance. one reason why smartphone manufacturers use advanced chips like Exynos 2100 in handsets. By using edge computing, companies can save money by having their processing done locally. This helps to reduce the level of data being processed in a centralised cloud-based location.
What is IoT?
Not a day goes by where we don’t use IoT devices. Almost all our devices, including smart fans, home lighting, heating and smartwatches, are all items part of the IoT. Many machines in the manufacturing industry work as devices of IoT, and some industry insiders have claimed that by the end of 2021, more than half of the world’s new businesses will run on IoT.
The IoT is a broad term used to describe everything connected to the internet. It is increasingly being used as an umbrella term to describe objects that interact with one another through the internet. The devices can automatically gather information and analyse it to create an action, much like using a smartphone to turn on and off light in the home.
So how does it work?
Traditionally IoT devices, particularly smartphones and wearables such as smartwatches, generate a large amount of data. This data is processed on the cloud with relevant data then sent back to the device in a bid to instruct them on how to react. However, sending and processing information in this way creates latency due to the amount of time it takes for the date to travel between the two points over the internet. Relying on the cloud also hinders the possibility of using IoT devices as it limits connection on devices.
Edge computing can address these issues and challenges by processing data that is given to it from a central server that is located closer geographically to where the information is collected, increasing transfer time and reducing delay. Thanks to specialist accelerator chips, machines will be able to run advanced algorithms like never before. Taking the process further than cloud-based and central server systems.
Edge computing will also allow businesses and institutions to have better control over localised data. This is great for sensitive information as federated learning will enable algorithms to be trained across multiple servers that hold local data on edge devices without needing to be shared or exchanged. This means that data can be kept secured and on the device itself.
Ai solution will also benefit IoT being boosted by edge computing thanks to reducing dependency on connectivity. It may not seem like it now, but working in this way will make AI more applicable and will have a worldwide impact in areas most where connecting is poor.
With this in mind, it suggests that edge computing in this way will have significant effects on a range of different industries, which include, but not limited to, transport, medicine, fashion, homeware and houses and agriculture.
