November 4, 2024

Bree Bolender

Tech Advancements

Edge to Cloud Computing and How It Impacts the Future of IoT

Introduction

Cloud computing is the evolution of the Internet, allowing users to store and access data from anywhere at any time. However, cloud computing has its limitations; for example, latency is a major issue and it does not work well with real-time applications. Edge computing is an emerging trend that aims to solve these problems by bringing data processing closer to the source of information. As we learned in our previous article about edge computing, this approach has many benefits when implemented in IoT devices such as sensors or cameras that collect data from various sources but require immediate analysis for decision making purposes.

What is Edge Computing?

Edge computing is a way of processing data closer to where it originates. It can be used to improve the security and efficiency of data processing, as well as the quality and scalability of that same process.

The term “edge” refers to any point on an IoT network where there’s an increased need for real-time analysis and decision making. This could be at a sensor level, such as when a device detects something unusual; or at an end user level, such as when someone wants immediate access to their car’s GPS location while driving through unfamiliar territory (a task that would take longer if done from home).

Why Is Edge Computing Important for IoT?

In a nutshell, edge computing allows devices to operate more independently. This means that they are able to make decisions on their own, and respond in real time without needing to send data back to the cloud.

Edge computing is important for IoT because it allows devices to be self-sufficient and make their own decisions based on their environment or situation. For example, if an autonomous car loses contact with its server due to an outage or interference, it can still navigate around obstacles without losing track of where it’s going because its data processing happens at the edge instead of being sent back up into the cloud every few seconds (as traditional IoT would require).

How Does Edge Computing Work?

Edge computing is a combination of cloud and edge computing. It’s the process of running applications at the edge of a network, outside of the cloud, in order to ensure that data is processed in the most efficient way possible.

Edge computing has become more popular over time as people have realized how much money they can save by using it rather than sending all their information back to servers located somewhere else (i.e., “in” or “at” another location).

Edge computing has the potential to disrupt the future of cloud computing.

  • Edge computing is a way of computing that is done close to the source of data. It can be used to improve the efficiency of IoT and enhance its security.
  • For example, consider an autonomous car that needs to make decisions based on information from its sensors and other systems within the car itself. If this information were processed in real time at a central location (cloud), it would require significant bandwidth between vehicles and servers–and even then there would likely be delays in communicating with other vehicles or pedestrians at crosswalks who may be affected by those decisions made by the autonomous car.*

Conclusion

Edge computing is an exciting new technology that could change the way we think about cloud computing. The ability for devices to process data locally before sending it up to the cloud has huge implications for IoT, as well as other areas such as mobile app development and artificial intelligence (AI).