InterviewsTechnology

Smart Edge Technologies

Author : Atoosa Nasiri

Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed. In telecom networks, like 5G which popularized edge computing, Mobile Smart Edges (MEC) provide infrastructure and computation resources to network edges that are closer to data sources and service users. This allows service providers to deploy an entirely new class of services that take advantage of their proximity to customers.

The ever-growing volume of data generated and consumed by emerging technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality / Virtual Reality (AR/VR), and robotics would impose delays and latency over the telecom networks, that would further burden already overburdened telecom network infrastructure. A Substantial volume of data generated by these devices can be processed in locations closer to the source where it will be ultimately consumed, and this is the key in understanding and designing smart edge infrastructure that allows the local traffic to be processed, stored and routed as close as possible to the end-user. The more edge computing solutions enhances the edge processing power, they can further avoid network delays and traffic routing charges. Moreover, as data processing takes place closest to the source of the data, business users can gain real-time insights from their service users.

Smart edges are the next revolution in de-centralizing computation and de-coupling infrastructure from application thus enabling deploying time-sensitive application, localized services, and customized zone-specific services closer to end-user. This talk will revolve around the long-term edge computing vision and best practices for development of smart edge-ready applications, with focus on containerization and light-weight serverless application development with microservices and Kubernetes that is emerging as the de-facto orchestration and resource management tool for next generation smart edges.