One of the tandem technologies discussed in 5G is mobile edge computing, or more broadly known as just the edge. Combining 5G and edge promises many improvements and advances, however, implementing edge solutions is not a simple straight line.
Edge computing is on the rise and is expected to see a steep inclination in adoption in the coming years. Estimates predict that the edge computing market will grow from $10 billion in 2020 to $543 billion in 2030. Edge computing is already an accessible technology, and the term broadly refers to decentralized computing. Together, 5G and edge promise ultra-fast compute times, which can minimize latency to the point of near real-time to drive significant new use cases.
The overall benefit of the edge is that it creates a hybrid benefit of on-premises computing and cloud computing. With localized computing, applications benefit from reduced and low latency, as well as data localization. From a cloud perspective, the benefits include scalability and mobility. But when it comes to the edge, there are many different approaches, as well as categorizations.
The GSMA has worked to create the Telco Edge Cloud (TEC), which is a global platform solution that exposes, manages and markets edge computing to essentially help mobile network operators (MNOs) develop edge offerings and capabilities to provide to end users in a way that is successful and interoperable. One of the features of the telecom edge is that it offers local edge, which means that workloads can run on the end user’s local machine at the site.
The network perimeter is the intersection of the company-owned network (typically consisting of a wired local area network, wireless local area network, and wide area network) and the third-party network. The network edge is another point along the path from the endpoint to the cloud where data can be processed. Not to be confused with the network core, which is the connection point for network components that allows information to be exchanged between a data center or centers through routers and switches.
This ebook dives into the different edge locations and the edge stack, the challenge in implementing edge solutions, and the role of IoT, 5G, cloud, edge, and much more.
