Edge Networking

1Edge Architectures

1.1. The three levels of Edge Networking

The four-tier distributed multi-cloud architecture is becoming the standard. The levels correspond to four types of data centers that form the basis for the digitalization of various companies and organizations. Large data centers symbolize the Cloud with almost infinite computing and storage power. However, these data centers are far from the users with high latency to reach them. Many applications cannot run with these latencies. In addition, the energy consumption per client is very high since the information flows have to pass through many intermediate machines. However, these data centers are indispensable for applications that require power and for particularly consistent storage. The most important data centers belong to the GAFAM companies (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon and Microsoft), but also the BATX (Baidu, Alibaba, Tencent and Xiaomi).

For several years, data centers at the edge of networks have become increasingly important for many reasons. Latency allows the introduction of new services that are becoming preponderant for the digitalization, intelligence and security of companies, administrations and public services. For example, Industry 4.0, with IIoT (Industrial IoT), smart grid control, short-latency applications, etc. are examples of these services. These applications have been highlighted by a number of companies. These applications have been highlighted by 5G, which must have an important place ...