5 Advantages of Edge Computing in Enterprise Network Strategy

Edge computing has quickly become popular for companies looking to move beyond the limitations of traditional cloud-based computing architectures. While enterprise-class data centers still play an important role in modern networks, the possibility offered by IoT devices to process data closer to the source is forcing everyone to rethink their attitude towards IT infrastructure.

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Below we discuss five reasons why edge computing is worth the hype, the substantial benefits it can bring to companies, and why it should be part of every company’s network strategy.

speed

The most important benefit of edge computing is the ability to improve network performance by combating latency. Since edge devices process data in local edge data centers, the information they collect does not have to travel as far as in traditional cloud architectures.

It's easy to forget that data doesn't travel instantaneously. Current commercial fiber optic technology allows data to travel at up to 2/3 the speed of light. While that sounds fast, it doesn't take into account the massive amounts of data being transmitted. With estimates that the world will generate up to 44 zettabytes (a zettabyte equals a trillion bytes) of data by 2020, digital traffic jams are all but certain.

Then there’s the “last mile” bottleneck, where data must be routed through local network connections before reaching its final destination. Depending on the quality of those connections, the “last mile” can add 10 to 65 milliseconds of latency.

By processing data closer to the source and reducing the physical distance it must travel, edge computing can significantly reduce latency. End users experience faster speeds, with latency measured in microseconds instead of milliseconds. Considering that even a one-millisecond lag can cost a company millions, the speed advantage of edge computing cannot be ignored.

Safety

While the proliferation of IoT devices does increase the overall attack surface of a network, it also offers some important security advantages. Traditional cloud computing architecture is centralized in nature, making it particularly vulnerable to distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks and power outages. Edge computing distributes processing, storage, and applications across various devices and data centers, making it difficult for any outage to take down the network.

A major concern with IoT devices is that they can be used as entry points for cyberattacks, with malware or other intrusions infecting the network from a single weak point. This is a real risk, but the distributed nature of edge computing architectures makes it easier to implement security protocols that can block compromised portions without shutting down the entire network.

Since more data is processed locally on the device rather than transmitted back to a central data center, edge computing can also reduce the amount of data that is actually at risk. Less data is intercepted in transit, and even if a device is compromised, it will only contain locally collected data rather than the large amounts of data that a compromised server might expose.

Even if edge computing architectures include dedicated data centers, these typically provide additional security measures. A high-quality edge data center should offer a variety of tools that customers can use to protect and monitor the network in real time.

Scalability

Building a dedicated data center is an expensive proposition, but it is often the only option for companies looking to expand their own computing capabilities. Traditional private data centers impose artificial constraints on growth, locking companies into forecasts of future computing needs. If business grows beyond expectations, companies are not always able to take advantage of the opportunity because they do not have enough computing resources.

Edge computing offers a cheaper path to scalability, allowing companies to expand their computing power through a combination of IoT devices and edge data centers. Using IoT devices with processing power also reduces the cost of growth because each new device added does not create a large bandwidth demand on the network.

Versatility

The scalability of edge computing also makes it incredibly versatile. By working with local edge data centers, companies can easily target ideal markets without investing in expensive infrastructure expansion. Edge data centers allow them to efficiently serve end users with little physical distance or latency. They also do not limit companies with multiple businesses, giving them the flexibility to move to other markets if economic conditions change.

By incorporating new IoT devices into their edge network architecture, companies can offer new and better services to their customers without having to completely restructure their IT infrastructure. Purpose-built devices offer an exciting range of possibilities for organizations that value innovation as a means of driving growth.

reliability

Given the security benefits that edge computing offers, it’s no surprise that it can provide better reliability. With IoT devices and edge data centers closer to end users, there’s less chance that network issues in faraway locations will impact local customers. Even in the event of an outage at a nearby data center, IoT devices will continue to operate effectively because they have significant processing capabilities on their own.

With so many processing-capable devices and edge data centers connected to the network, it becomes difficult for any one failure to completely shut down service. Data can be rerouted through a variety of pathways to ensure that users maintain access to the products and information they need. Therefore, effectively integrating IoT devices and edge data centers into a comprehensive edge architecture can provide unparalleled reliability.

Edge computing offers a variety of advantages over traditional forms of network architecture and will continue to play an important role in the development of enterprises. As more and more Internet-enabled devices enter the market, innovative organizations may have only scratched the surface of the possibilities that edge computing can bring.