Skip main navigation

New offer! Get 30% off one whole year of Unlimited learning. Subscribe for just £249.99 £174.99. T&Cs apply

Edge computing and edge caching

What is edge computing and edge caching?In this article, Dr Ming Yan discusses his recent research.
Edge computing refers to computing close to the source of things, data and actions. In more general terms i.e. Neighborhood Computing or Proximity Computing. If cloud computing is centralized big data processing, edge computing can be understood as edge big data processing. Edge computing has been progressively used in IoT, AR/VR scenarios as well as in big data and artificial intelligence industries.

Edge computing originated from the need to build virtual networks within the WAN, and operators needed a simple, cloud-like management platform, so micro-boarded cloud management platforms began to enter the market.

The key technology required to realize the synergy between cloud and edge computing is edge caching, usually in the form of edge gateways.

The main application scenarios of edge computing are:

  • distributed business processing. For example: compliance monitoring, financial transaction analysis, remote office.
  • personal monitoring. Example: wearable devices (including health monitors, fitness devices, pulse trackers).
  • immersive experiences. Examples: immersive e-commerce, virtual reality interactive entertainment, VR/MR workspaces.
  • client-side content delivery. Examples: streaming video, storage gateways/caches.
  • immersive collaboration. Examples: VR/MR meeting rooms/classrooms/study rooms, multiplayer gaming.
  • device control and maintenance. Examples: remote control based on business rules, software provisioning and patching, data downloads (e.g., updating commodity prices).
  • business automation. Examples: business control loops, choreographing operations based on events and alerts from events, machine learning.
  • data/event reporting. Examples include: periodic asset status updates, signal processing, condition/predictive/normative based maintenance information, traffic/environmental monitoring, surveillance video streaming and analytics.

Your task

What changes do you think the development of mobile edge technology has brought to everyday life?

Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.

© Communication University of China
This article is from the free online

Introduction to Digital Media

Created by
FutureLearn - Learning For Life

Reach your personal and professional goals

Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.

Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.

Start Learning now