How Does Edge Computing Work? Beginner’s Guide

Every year that goes by, edge computing becomes more popular. This isn’t by accident: edge computing is a huge force that can’t be ignored.

Not too long ago, the average person thought that cloud computing was going to dominate for the rest of time. However, edge computing has proven that it’s also here to stay.

This raises two questions:

• What is edge computing?
• How does edge computing work?

If you’re a business owner or professional, you’ll be eager to find out the answer to these questions.

The good news is that both questions are answered in detail below, so let’s dive right into them!

Edge Computing: A Closer Look

Edge computing was created because of one simple reason: the growth of IoT devices.

IoT devices are physical objects that connect to the internet and exchange information over it. For example, home security cameras, smartphones, and laptops are all examples of IoTs.

Interestingly, what edge computing allows these devices to do is process data at the “edge” of the network instead of processing it via the cloud. This is done via the device itself or a local server – not a cloud database!

Many businesses have purchased edge computers from specialists like Things Embedded so that they can also start processing data locally at the “edge”. This is a no-brainer, even if you’re a start-up company.

There are several benefits that come with edge computing, such as the fact that only the most important data is processed in the central data center (when the cloud is used, all data is processed). As a result, edge computing allows people and businesses to significantly reduce their latency and therefore save money.

Here’s an excellent example of this:

These days, most major businesses have security cameras installed in and around their buildings, right? The AI within these cameras is able to spot criminal behavior and send that data to the data center so that employees can be notified. With edge computing, though, the camera doesn’t overload the network with 24 hours of footage per day. Instead, it only sends relevant video clips, which reduces internet usage and enables some serious cost savings! Not to mention, businesses can then use the bandwidth that has been freed up for other purposes, such as the in-office computers that employees use.

Similarly, IoT sensors and AI can quickly pick up on problems in self-driving cars, ships, oil rigs, and more. Without edge computing, they would be reliant on the cloud – which is known for its inconsistencies. For instance, you can’t have a self-driving car that relies on cloud technology all of the time because what happens if the internet connection suddenly drops? It would lead to chaos and safety risks, which nobody wants to happen. This is why, in 2023, all autonomous vehicles on the road use edge computing AI programs. Otherwise, drivers would be putting their lives on the line every time they step into their cars!

What is the Future of Edge Computing?

There’s no doubt that cloud computing will continue to evolve and be a huge part of modern society. However, edge computing, despite its drawbacks, will also be right up there at the top. Spending on edge computing will continue to skyrocket as the industry looks to reach a value of $17.8 billion. Whether your business is in the agricultural, healthcare, or technology industry, it can benefit greatly from edge computing.