What are the advantages of edge computing over cloud computing

Posted by tracyyun

Cloud computing enables all kinds of smart devices to connect to the Internet and exchange information, which has won the favor of end users and has become a mainstream application trend. Various use cases of cloud computing have been pervasive: for example, the data in the mobile phone can be backed up using cloud services, and the data in the mobile phone can be retrieved from other networked devices through accounts. Complete applications, such as various cloud games, cloud office software, etc., can be accessed directly from a web browser.

At the same time, cloud computing enables companies to complete more computing tasks and data storage through cloud servers in addition to their own physical hardware, eliminating the tedious maintenance process of physical hardware for small and medium-sized teams, and focusing more on their own business.

From wearables to smart home devices to low-level sensor products, connected devices are everywhere. According to relevant statistics from IDC, the global Internet of Things spending will reach 690.47 billion US dollars in 2020, of which the Chinese market accounts for 23.6%. IDC predicts that the global IoT market will reach US$1.1 trillion by 2025, with an average annual compound growth rate of 11.4%, of which the Chinese market share will increase to 25.9%

Smart Home Device Sensors

But centralized cloud computing is not suitable for all applications and use cases. Edge computing can provide solutions in areas where traditional cloud infrastructure may struggle. In recent years, the consolidated and centralized nature of cloud computing has proven cost-effective and flexible, but the rise of the Internet of Things and mobile computing has put a strain on network bandwidth. Ultimately, not all smart devices need to leverage cloud computing to function. In some cases, the round-trip transfer of data even consumes additional resources. As a result, edge computing came into being.

According to relevant information from IDC, edge computing is described as "a mesh network of micro-data centers that process or store critical data locally and push all received data to a central data center or cloud storage repository with a coverage area of less than 100 km." square feet".

Localized data processing and storage puts less pressure on computing networks. When there is less data being sent to the cloud, the likelihood of delays is greatly reduced. This also puts more tasks on the hardware based on edge computing technology, and needs to include sensors to collect data and CPU or GPU units to process data in networked devices.