The Future of Edge Computing

What is Edge Computing?

Traditional cloud computing networks are highly centralized, with data being gathered on the
outermost edges and transmitted back to the main servers for processing. This architecture
grew out of the fact that most of the devices located near the edge lacked the computational
power and storage capacity to analyze or process the data they collected. Even as more
devices became capable of connecting to networks over cellular and WiFi, their functionality
was relatively limited by their hardware capabilities.

Data is the lifeblood of modern business, providing valuable business insight and supporting
real-time control over critical business processes and operations. Today's businesses are
awash in an ocean of data, and huge amounts of data can be routinely collected from sensors
and IoT devices operating in real time from remote locations and inhospitable operating
environments almost anywhere in the world.

As a result of the miniaturization of processing and storage technology, the network

architecture landscape has been significantly altered. 

Today’s IoT devices are capable of gathering, storing, and processing more data than ever
before. This opens up opportunities for companies to optimize their networks and relocate
more processing functions closer to where data is gathered at the network edge. There, it can
be analyzed and applied in real-time much closer to intended users.

 Since the data doesn’t have to travel all the way back to the central server for the device to
know that a function needs to be executed, edge computing networks can greatly reduce
latency and enhance performance. The speed and flexibility afforded by this approach to
handling data create an exciting range of possibilities for organizations.

Let’s take a look at five benefits of edge computing when it comes to improving the overall
performance of your network
Five Benefits of Edge Computing
 1. Speed

Speed is absolutely vital to any company’s core business. Take the financial sector’s reliance
upon high-frequency trading algorithms, for example. A slowdown of mere milliseconds in
their trading algorithms can result in expensive consequences. In the healthcare industry,
where the stakes are much higher, losing a fraction of a second can be a matter of life or
death. 

For businesses that provide data-driven services to customers, lagging speeds can frustrate
customers and cause long-term damage to a brand. This may not sound as serious as life and
death, but poor network performance and slow speeds can spell the end of your company
altogether. Speed is no longer just a competitive advantage—it’s a best practice.

Edge computing’s most significant benefit is its ability to increase network performance
by reducing latency. Since IoT edge computing devices process data locally or in nearby edge
data centers, the information they collect doesn’t have to travel nearly as far as it would under
a traditional cloud architecture.

In today’s world, it’s easy to forget that data doesn’t travel instantaneously; it’s bound by the
same laws of physics as everything else in the known universe. Current commercial fiber-
optic technology allows data to travel as fast as 2/3 the speed of light, moving from New
York to San Francisco in about 21 milliseconds. 

However, as more and more data continues to be transmitted, digital traffic jams in the future
are almost a sure thing. In 2020, the world generated roughly 44 zettabytes (one zettabyte
equals a trillion gigabytes) of data. By 2025, 463 exabytes (one exabyte equals a billion
gigabytes) of data will be generated every day.

There’s also the problem of the “last mile” bottleneck, in which data must be routed through
local network connections before reaching its final destination. Depending upon the quality
of these connections, the “last mile” can add anywhere between 10 to 65 milliseconds of
latency.

By processing data closer to the source and reducing the physical distance it must travel, edge
computing can greatly reduce latency. This means higher speeds for end-users, with latency
measured in microseconds rather than milliseconds. Considering that even a single moment
of latency or downtime can cost companies thousands of dollars, the speed advantages of
edge computing are paramount to your network.

2. Security

While the proliferation of IoT edge computing devices does increase the overall attack
surface for networks, it also provides some important security advantages. Traditional cloud
computing architecture is inherently centralized, which makes it especially vulnerable
to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and power outages. Edge computing
distributes processing, storage, and applications across a wide range of devices and data
centers, which makes it difficult for any single disruption to take down the entire network.

One major concern about IoT edge computing devices is that they could be used as a point of
entry for cyberattacks, allowing malware or other intrusions to infect a network from a single
weak point. While this is a genuine risk, the distributed nature of edge computing architecture
makes it easier to implement security protocols that can seal off compromised portions
without shutting down the entire network.

Since more data is being processed on local devices rather than transmitting it back to a
central data center, edge computing also reduces the amount of data actually at risk in a
single moment. There’s less data to be intercepted during transit, and even if a device is
compromised, it will only contain the data it has collected locally rather than the trove of data
that could be exposed by a compromised central server.

Even if an edge computing architecture incorporates specialized edge data centers, these

often provide additional security measures to guard against crippling DDoS attacks and other
cyber threats. 

A quality edge data center should offer a variety of tools clients can use to secure and
monitor their networks in real-time.

3. Scalability

As companies grow, they cannot always anticipate their IT infrastructure needs. Building a
dedicated data center is an expensive proposition, which makes it even more difficult to plan
for the future. 

In addition to the substantial up-front construction costs and ongoing maintenance, there’s
also the question of tomorrow’s needs. Traditional private facilities place an artificial
constraint on growth, locking companies into forecasts of their future computing needs.
If business growth exceeds expectations, they may not be able to capitalize on opportunities
due to insufficient computing resources.

Fortunately, the development of cloud-based technology and edge computing has made it
easier than ever for businesses to scale their operations. Computing, storage, and analytics
capabilities are increasingly being bundled into devices with smaller footprints that can be
situated nearer to end-users.

Expanding data collection and analysis no longer requires companies to establish centralized,

private data centers, which can be expensive to build, maintain, and replace when it’s time to
grow again. By combining colocation services with regional edge computing data centers,
organizations can expand their edge network reach quickly and cost-effectively. As they
grow, the flexibility of leveraging edge computing's capabilities allows them to adapt quickly
to evolving markets and scale their data and computing needs more efficiently.

In short, edge computing offers a far less expensive route to scalability, allowing companies
to expand their computing capacity through a combination of IoT devices and edge data
centers. The use of processing-capable edge computing devices also eases growth costs
because each new device added doesn’t impose substantial bandwidth demands on the core of
a network.

4. Versatility

The scalability of edge computing also plays into its versatility. By partnering with local
edge data centers, companies can easily target desirable markets without having to
invest in expensive infrastructure expansion. 

Edge data centers allow them to service end-users efficiently with minimal physical distance
or latency. This is especially valuable for content providers looking to deliver uninterrupted
streaming services. They also do not constrain companies with a heavy footprint, allowing
them to nimbly shift to other markets if economic conditions change.

Edge computing empowers IoT devices to gather unprecedented amounts of actionable data.
Rather than waiting for people to log in with devices and interact with centralized cloud
servers, edge computing devices are always on, always connected, and always generating
data for future analysis. 

The unstructured information gathered by edge networks can either be processed locally to

deliver quick services or delivered back to the core of the network, where powerful
analytics and machine learning programs will dissect it to identify trends and notable data
points. Armed with this information, companies can make better decisions and meet the true
needs of the market more efficiently. 

By incorporating new IoT devices into their edge network architecture, companies can offer
new and better services to their customers without completely overhauling their IT
infrastructure. Purpose-designed devices provide an exciting range of possibilities to
organizations that value innovation as a means of driving growth. It’s a huge benefit for
industries looking to expand network reach into regions with limited connectivity (such as
the healthcare, agricultural, and manufacturing sectors).

5. Reliability

Given the security advantages provided by edge computing, it shouldn't come as a surprise
that it offers better reliability as well. With IoT edge computing devices and edge data centers
positioned closer to end-users, there is less chance of a network problem in a distant location
affecting local customers. Even in the event of a nearby data center outage, IoT edge
computing devices will continue to operate effectively on their own since they handle vital
processing functions natively.

By processing data closer to the source and prioritizing traffic, edge computing reduces the
amount of data flowing to and from the primary network, leading to lower latency and faster
overall speed. Physical distance is critical to performance as well.

By locating edge systems in data centers geographically closer to end-users and distributing
processing accordingly, companies can greatly reduce the distance data must travel before
services can be delivered. These edge networks ensure a faster, seamless experience for their
customers, who expect to have access to their content and applications in an instant
anywhere, anytime.

With so many edge computing devices and edge data centers connected to the network, it
becomes much more difficult for any singular failure to shut down service entirely. Data can
be rerouted through multiple pathways to ensure users retain access to the products and
information they need. Effectively incorporating IoT edge computing devices and edge data
centers into a comprehensive edge architecture can therefore provide unparalleled reliability.

THE FUTURE OF EDGE COMPUTING

The future of edge computing will improve alongside advanced networks like 5G
and satellite mesh and artificial intelligence.
By having more capacity and power, better access to fast and widespread networks
(5G, satellite), and smarter machines within computers (AI), you’ve suddenly
opened up the world to some seriously futuristic possibilities.

Here are some of the most life-changing edge computing use cases we think will
take over the tech world this decade.

HEALTHCARE

There have been countless software-enabled improvements in healthcare. Today,

apps, medical devices, and data allow machines and doctors to monitor and treat
patients near and far.
As medical devices improve, they will be able to sense more things about your
body and respond appropriately in real-time. In order for these healthcare devices
to work, they need edge computing and powerful AI, which isn’t there quite yet.

Once this technology does get there, expect things like:

 Emergency calls and response before heart attacks

 Vital signs monitoring and response
 Non-invasive cancer cell monitoring and response
 Smart and personalization health nudges (beyond “get up and move”)
 Electrolyte imbalance monitoring and notification
On top of real-time uses, there are benefits to collecting individual health care with
an AI lens. For example, your primary care physician could check in on your every
six months by looking at your vital signs and patterns. Based on this, they could
make better recommendations for your care.
ENERGY & RESOURCE EFFICIENCY

At this stage in the game, the world will require advanced computing solutions to
save our finite resources and prevent climate change.

Farming in drought-stricken areas can be accomplished with drip-monitoring and

measurement systems. Before, it was prohibitively expensive to outfit a 1,000-acre
farm with sensors and connect each to a cloud system. With edge computing,
network connectivity isn’t as big of an issue. These systems can make independent
decisions that balance ground moisture with available water resources.

SMART BUILDINGS & CITIES

Edge computing has taken autonomous cars pretty far. However, this technology
will be far more life-changing when it has the ability to connect to other cars,
buildings, and structures. These smart ecosystems will compile the benefits of
autonomous driving and turn cities into AI-powered machines.

Consider this. Today, over 20% of traffic is cars looking for parking. Imagine if a
car could communicate with a parking garage, reserve a spot, find the optimal
route, and self-park. Not only does this relieve much frustration of driving, but it’s
also considerably safer and environmentally-friendlier than the current options.
The future of edge computing is quickly approaching. As processors become more
powerful, storage becomes cheaper, and networks access improves, there are
countless opportunities to change the world.

4 TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE MAKING EDGE COMPUTING EVEN MORE

POWERFUL
1. XR (extended reality) presents a truly immersive interface for users to collaborate or work
in virtualized environments. Add edge, and you get even more detailed and interactive
experiences.

For example, we are already creating immersive experiences like car buying, engineering site
visits or worker safety training. Thanks to using edge, people can see new views and zoom in
for unparalleled granularity.

2. Heterogenous hardware processes more data — faster and using less power. Using this
specialized hardware on the edge embeds compute efficiently within physical environments
and accelerates its response.

For example, we recently used Intel’s new Loihi neuromorphic chip  to implement voice-
powered commands in car, like “lights on,” “lights off,” or “start engine.” This extremely
low-powered chip is deployed in the car in “always-on” mode, listening for your commands
without draining the battery.

3. Privacy-preserving technology includes techniques and hardware that allow data to be

analyzed without exposing all of its aspects. Examples include secure enclaves,
homomorphic compute, federated learning, differential privacy. Data is typically encrypted
when stored and when transmitted, but privacy-preserving technology protects the data even
through the compute stage, making it more useable by other lines of business and partners
especially when it needs to occur on the edge.

4. Robotics can be configured to act based on signals and updates at the edge. In fact, we just
finished an edge implementation for robot-assisted surgery. While the surgical controls
happen directly on the robot, the edge also coordinates with the cloud to determine which
controls are deployed on the robot, what data is used, and what information is ultimately
transmitted back to the cloud.

THE EDGE WILL EMERGE AS THE PROBLEM

SOLVER OF TOMORROW
We can’t quite predict the edge applications of tomorrow, but it’s fair to assume that just
about every industry has room for improving performance through the use of the network
edge and serverless compute services. The capabilities of the edge prepare us to solve the
issues of tomorrow by driving faster, smarter decision-making when time is of the essence.
Today, edge computing is enabling enterprises to leverage environments where they can
easily deploy software, providing access and scale for their applications. Moving forward,
business needs and priorities will continue evolving; the network edge will remain as the
supporting force behind growing tech needs and new initiatives.

References

https://www.itworldcanada.com/sponsored/the-future-of-edge-computing-revealed

https://devetry.com/blog/the-future-of-edge-computing-how-it-will-change-the-
world/#:~:text=The%20future%20of%20edge%20computing%20is%20right%20around
%20the%20corner,while%20halving%20costs%20every%20year.

https://www.vxchnge.com/blog/the-5-best-benefits-of-edge-computing