Edge computing" is a concept that has recently arrived on the market. Its role is to deport functionalities previously found on the cloud website, as close as possible to the data source. Frédéric Jourdain of our subsidiary Blue Soft Belgium, an expert on the subject, takes a closer look at the concept.
Fighting nonsense with edge computing
Traditionally, when we set up an intelligent system or one that makes use of the Internet of Things, we send the data back to cloud. The idea behind edge computing is to think differently. It's about avoiding inconsistencies, as Frédéric explains: "This is typical of theInternet of Things, but not exclusively. A very simple example. It makes no sense to have a temperature sensor in a meeting room that sends the data back to cloud to ask the meeting room's air conditioning to switch on. We'll move the behavior calculation directly to the source, as close as possible to the sensor. If the temperature is too high or too low, we'll switch the air conditioning on or off.
Edge computing requires respect for the rules
This ability to process data as close as possible to its source is of great interest for the development of many projects. However, it is important to take security rules into account when implementing it. Frédéric continues: "The principle seems simple, but if we want to respect all the rules of security and flexibility, we're going to have to move bits of code into microcomputers that are likely to be making decisions in buildings or vehicles.
Local sensors have three roles:
- Secure informationin general, encrypting and decrypting data
- Make a decision based on the information retrieved
- To transmit or not in the cloud according to the filtering that we will have made
It is this last functionality that is called edge computing.
Why choose edge computing?
This new outsourced technology makes sense in many cases, but why choose it?
- Limit the impact in case of failure. system failure: the elements being dislocated from each other if a part of the system is victim of a failure or power cut the other elements remain functional.
- Reduce the carbon impact of your installationsby limiting the information feedback to a localized area, you reduce your energy footprint
- Improve the performance of its systemsThe proximity of the facilities means that the loading of the systems is faster and more efficient
Want to know more about edge computing? Discover the complete video of our expert Frédéric :
