Cloud to the Edge

Imagine what can happen to enterprise data when stored and confined in a traditional storage center. There can be security risks, high chances of data failure, and inability to scale. A security breach or failure can compromise all users' sensitive information. All the data center operations will be affected during a system failure or downtime.

What is Cloud to the Edge?

Cloud to the Edge is a network architecture that stores data in distributed locations instead of the primary data center. It uses cloud and edge computing to store enterprise information in globally distributed networks and environments. The diagram below illustrates the fundamental principle of edge devices. As shown below, the output of an edge device can be used as the input of another edge device. The edge devices can also send and receive information from data centers. Cloud to the Edge can be beneficial in real-time data-powered applications to ensure reliability and scalability.

How does Cloud to the Edge Work?

In Cloud to the Edge, the data comes from Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart devices, and servers. The data collected is processed and filtered for distribution to the edge of networks.

Benefits of Cloud to the Edge

• Reliability: It provides data security and minimizes failures since it stores enterprise data in globally distributed servers. 
• Scalability: The combination of Cloud and Edge computing makes Cloud Edge services easy to scale to a large group of people globally. 
• Optimal latency: It minimizes data travel and lowers latency since its distributed servers and data centers are close to end users. In VoIP calling, for example, this helps to ensure smoother and more responsive calls. 
• It helps to avoid information silos, which can lead to distributed service failures during downtime.

Real-world Examples of Cloud to the Edge

• Livestreaming and video conferencing applications: Cloud to the Edge usually establishes and distributes data centers near end users to provide optimal and seamless VoIP calling experiences.  
• Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) like Netflix, gaming platforms, and e-commerce platforms use Cloud to the Edge to transport content to users.
• Microsoft Azure: Cloud to the Edge infrastructure for enterprises.

Challenges of Cloud to the Edge

• High cost of maintenance: Since the architecture of Cloud to the Edge consists of several components, remote servers, smart devices, and more, it is expensive to maintain.
• Complex architecture: Cloud to the Edge is challenging to implement due to its complex architecture.

The Future of Cloud to the Edge

• Cloud to the Edge architecture powered by Machine Machine (ML): A possible Cloud to the Edge application area could be integrating with AI or ML to route participants in real-time video conferencing applications in the future.
• It could be integrated with AI to avoid bandwidth limitations and reduce latency of data transmission.

Frequently Asked Questions