The global cloud computing market was expected to reach $661 billion in 2022. Another technology that has attracted enterprise attention in the past few years is edge computing – a distant relative of cloud computing.
The adoption of cloud services by enterprises is also expected to grow, with 83% of enterprise workloads expected to be in the cloud, 58% in public cloud environments, and 25% in private clouds.
The recent rise in demand for data and analytics has increased the importance of cloud computing. It has enabled enterprise organizations to process large amounts of data in real-time, making it easier to make data-informed decisions.
With the continuous advancement of cloud technology, it is being widely adopted across industries. In fact, cloud adoption among enterprise organizations is over 94%. A Gartner survey shows that 84% of organizations have at least one application or a part of their computing infrastructure in the cloud.
In this article, we will understand edge and cloud computing in detail. We will talk about their advantages and disadvantages and list their major differences. Let’s get started.
What is edge computing?
Edge computing is a type of distributed computing architecture where data processing and analysis occurs at the edge of the network, i.e., closer to the data source rather than in a central data center.
Edge devices are computing devices, such as routers, sensors, and IoT devices, designed to perform specific tasks, such as remote monitoring of assets or equipment and autonomous vehicles. They act as the first point of entry into the network.
What is Cloud Computing?
Cloud computing provides computing resources, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics, as services over the Internet.
Cloud computing services can be delivered in a variety of models, including public, private, and hybrid, each with its own unique benefits and trade-offs (not covered within the scope of this article).
Cloud-enabled businesses do not need to manage the underlying hardware infrastructure of their applications, which allows them to focus on their core business, resulting in faster innovation and growth.
Major cloud providers include Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure. They manage and maintain the application infrastructure and ensure security, reliability, and performance at scale.
Advantages of edge computing
The rapid growth in the volume of data produced by commercial activities has resulted in the emergence of new and creative approaches to managing data flows. Edge computing is one such technology. Let us highlight some of the advantages of edge computing below:
- Low latency: Edge computing processes data locally, reducing the need for data transmission over long distances, resulting in lower latency and faster response times.
- Improved reliability: By processing data closer to the source, edge computing can continue to operate even without an internet connection, making it a more reliable option for critical applications.
- Improved security: Edge computing can improve security by reducing the amount of sensitive data transmitted over the network and processing the data locally, reducing the risk of data breaches.
Cons of Edge Computing
Enterprise organizations are increasingly adopting edge computing architecture to streamline their application workflow, but it also has some limitations. Let us highlight some edge computing cons below:
- Complexity: Implementing, maintaining, and upgrading edge computing infrastructure can be complex and require specialized skills and expertise.
- Limited scalability: Edge computing resources are limited by the physical infrastructure at the edge, making it challenging to scale resources to meet growing demands.
- Interoperability: Different edge devices and systems may not be compatible, making it difficult to integrate multiple systems into a single, cohesive edge computing solution.
Advantages of cloud computing
Nowadays, almost every company has turned its services to cloud computing to unlock its growth potential. Let us highlight some of the major benefits of cloud computing below:
- Cost savings: Cloud computing eliminates the need for significant capital expenditure on hardware, software, and IT infrastructure. Cloud providers offer these services on an on-demand or paid basis.
- Accessibility: Cloud computing services can be accessed from anywhere with an Internet connection, making it possible for remote workers to access the same resources and applications.
- Flexibility: Cloud computing offers a wide range of services, allowing users to choose specific services that meet their needs and allowing easy integration with existing systems.
Cons of Cloud Computing
By reducing expenses, increasing accessibility, and increasing flexibility, cloud computing has benefited enterprises. Despite these advantages, it also has several limitations. Let us highlight some of the major disadvantages of using cloud computing below:
- Security concerns: Storing sensitive data in the cloud can raise security concerns. Cloud computing providers may not offer the same level of security as on-premises solutions.
- Dependence on Internet connectivity: Access to cloud computing services requires a stable and reliable Internet connection, and outages can disrupt access to these services.
- Compliance issues: Some industries have specific regulatory requirements for data storage and processing, and cloud computing providers cannot always meet these requirements.
Edge computing vs. cloud computing—what’s the difference?
While edge and cloud provide computing resources to end-users, some key differences make them suitable for different applications. Let us highlight some of these differences below:
| Edge Computing | cloud computing |
| Edge computing processes data at or close to the edge of the network. | Cloud computing processes data in a central data center or remote server farm. |
| Edge computing has lower latency, as data is processed closer to the source. | Latency can be high in cloud computing because data is transmitted to a remote location for processing. |
| Edge computing requires decentralized control and management close to edge devices. | Cloud computing provides centralized control and management of resources. |
| Edge computing is suitable for IoT and other time-sensitive applications where low latency and real-time processing are critical. | Cloud computing is suitable for applications that require large amounts of computing resources, such as big data and machine learning. |
Cloud/Edge Computing – What is the future?
Edge and cloud computing are two technology solutions that address different computing needs. Edge computing focuses on bringing computing closer to the edge of the network, where data is generated and processed. In contrast, cloud computing is a centralized model that provides remote access to shared computing resources over the Internet.
The choice between edge and cloud computing depends on the specific requirements of the application, such as the need for low latency, data security, and network connectivity. The most effective solution often involves a combination of both technologies, such as a hybrid cloud architecture.
Organizations can leverage a hybrid architecture where the edge can be used to deploy individual application instances, and the cloud can be used to manage centralized application updates and monitoring.
The combination of cloud computing and edge computing provides a more efficient and scalable solution for data processing and storage. The cloud handles large amounts of data and processing power while edge computing handles local data processing. This reduces the amount of data that needs to be sent to the cloud.
Practically, there are endless possibilities of using both technologies together. Check out these 7 best cloud certifications if you want to advance your cloud knowledge! Stay updated with modern technology!