Edge Computing & Internet of Things (IoT)

Edge Computing works hand in hand with the cloud to provide a flexible solution based on the data collection and analysis needs of an organization. 

What is Edge computing?

It is a type of computing that takes place on-site or near a data source, reducing the need for data to be processed in a distant Centre. In other words, it brings computation and data storage closer to the sources of data. This is the way to save bandwidth and improve response time.

Further, it is not wrong to say Edge computing is a complement to cloud computing.

Edge computing is also known as fog computing.

At the Edge, the things cannot only request service and content from the Cloud but also perform the computing tasks from the cloud. Edge can perform computing offloading, data storage, caching, and processing as well as distribute request and delivery service from cloud to user.

Edge computing is a viable solution for the Smart Home since this allows computation to be performed at the network's edge, and it could be scaled from a single person to the smart home to an entire city.

Advantages of Edge Computing 

• It offers high speed and reduced latency. Latency means the time taken by data to reach its original source and its destination. It is measured in milliseconds.

• Proximity to data brings – Faster Insights. It means you can get quick valuable insight into data for better management of your business and work.

• Location awareness: edge computing works better than cloud computing when used for geographic-based applications, such as transportation and utility management applications. In this model, data can be collected and processed in its geographical location without being transported to the cloud.

• It offers better security by distributing processing, storage at the edge.

Disadvantages of Edge Computing 

• It requires more storage capacity.

• Security Challenges in edge computing are high due to the huge amount of data. Chances of a data breach can be happened due to hacking. 

• It only analyses the data.

• The cost of edge computing is very high.

• It requires advanced infrastructure.

Edge computing models have distributed, hierarchical, and decentralized architectures which are different from the centralized Cloud Computing Architecture.

Edge computing has many applications:

Smart System: Network communication technologies are interconnected with sensors and actuators in smart systems to deliver signals to the system to act. Sensor integration opens up a world of possibilities for data collecting, physical system management, resource allocation, and optimization. Smart systems mean smart homes, smart grids, smart cities, smart farms, smart transportation, smart healthcare, and others.

Video Analytics: Video analytics technology is a result of the fast adoption of mobile phones and network cameras. Video analytics has been marketed as a method to assist those providing security to vital infrastructures with a powerful way of recognizing and detecting intruders, tracking humans or items, and raising alarms on different kinds of activity.

There are three distinct types of video analytics: fixed algorithm analytics, Artificial Intelligence learning algorithms, and Facial Recognition.

This model makes it possible to leverage data and computing power to get faster results than those obtained through the Cloud Computing Model.

Collaborative Edge: Collaboration is the process of shared creation. It is about collective intelligence. The name "collaborative computing" refers to products and services that promote cooperation and help businesses address challenges that require collaboration. Collaboration can take place in two ways: synchronously, when all participants see the same information and/or meet at the same time, or asynchronously, where participants see the same information but provide feedback at separate times. To facilitate communication and collaboration, a range of tools and technologies are available, including e-mail, group conferencing, work delegation, project management, and more.

What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?

With the advent of the Internet of Things, we are ushering in a new era of technology.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network that connects everything to the Internet using defined protocols. A network of physical items is referred to as the Internet of Things (IoT). The internet has expanded into a network of devices of various types and sizes, including automobiles, smartphones, home appliances, toys, cameras, medical instruments and industrial systems, animals, people, and structures.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a concept focused on automation and connectivity. For starters, it creates a direct connection within a network without the need for human interaction. Second, improved connectivity within a global network allows for easy access to information.

We define the Internet of Things into three categories :

First people to people, second people to machine/things, third things/machine to things/machine interacting through internet. 

Internet of Things is a new revolution of the internet. The purpose of the Internet of Things is to enable things to be connected anytime, anyplace, with anything and anyone ideally using any path/network and any service.

 Four things create the basic building blocks of the IoT system –sensors, processors, gateways, applications. Each of these nodes has to have its own characteristics in order to form a useful IoT system.

Sensors :

Sensors form the front end of the IoT system. It consists of sensors and actuators. The purpose of sensors is to collect and give out data. These are the things of the system. Gas sensor and Moisture sensor. 

Sensor: Devices that sense things such as temperature, motion, particles, etc.

Actuator: These devices that act on things such as switches or rotors

Processors:

Processors are called the brain of the IoT system. Their main function is to process the data captured by the sensors and process them to extract valuable data from the raw data. The processor works on a real-time basis. Embedded Hardware devices, microcontrollers are examples of processors.

Gateways:

Gateways are responsible for routing the processed data and send it to proper locations for its proper Utilization. It is a two-way (to & fro) of communication of the data. LAN, WAN, PAN is examples of gateways.

Application:

Application forms another end in an IoT system. These are essential for proper utilization of all the data collected. Applications are controlled by users. Examples of applications are home automation apps and security systems etc.

Characteristics of the Internet of Things :

Interconnectivity: 

In IoT anything can be interconnected to global information and communication infrastructure.

Heterogeneity: 

The devices in the IoT are heterogeneous means that they can interact with other devices or service platforms through different networks.

Dynamic Changes: 

The state of devices in IoT change dynamically from one state to another like connected or disconnected.

Enormous Scale: 

There is a high scale of the number of devices that need to be managed and that communicate with each other

Connectivity:

Connectivity enables network accessibility and compatibility. Accessibility helps to get on a network while compatibility provides the common ability to consume and produce data.

Advantages of the Internet of Things :

Reduce Waste:

IoT provides real-world information leading to more effective management of resources and this way helps to reduce waste.

Improve Human Productivity:

As the devices of IoT interact and communicate with each other, it minimizes the involvement of human resources. So, Human resources may be transferred to a more complex task. 

Saves Time :

The generation of real-time data insights also saves time. It helps in taking quick decisions. It also helps in monitoring the resources efficiently from far away locations.

Disadvantages of the Internet of Things :

• It increased privacy concerns.

• Highly dependent on the Internet.

• Highly complex system.

The Internet of Things is made up of smart machines that interact and communicate with one another, as well as other machines, objects, environments, and infrastructures. This new era's ingenuity is limitless, with incredible potential to better our lives.

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