What does 'Edge' mean to you?

[MarjorieFreeman]

At this point, I think everyone knows what Edge means, but few know of actual edge use cases. 

How would you describe Edge technology in layman's terms? 

For instance, Chick Fil A deploys Kubernetes at the Edge to run its internet-independent applications. Many people have had Chick Fil A or at least been through a drive-thru or two in their day!  

What are some everyday use cases of it that people may not think about? 

[MarjorieFreeman]

Thanks for making this distinction, Trevor! As a non-technical end-user of edge, this is the kind of delineation that strips the term of its ambiguity!  

How would you describe the differences between the network edge and edge computing (to someone who wouldn't already know the difference, such as myself :)) ?

[Argles]

Edge, to me, means Edge of the network. This may mean just inside the network, in the DMZ, or some other portion of the network. However to me this means a section of the network infrastructure before the internal/private network. This allows for computing operations to happen closer to the ingress of network data, requiring "less hops" to get to the computing required to act upon the data.

[Rael]

Edge is closer to where the gathering of data is.  There are many 'edges' and each has a different use case.  The OT environment edge, the corporate environment edge, the DMZ, the field network edge, at customer premises...are all 'edges'.  There are use cases for automation at each...automating security implementation on the endpoints at the edge of each, automating provisioning and configuration of the endpoints, enabling VPN tunnels between any of the 'edge' endpoints. 

[Khamid]

The purpose of edge computing is to bring your applications closer to where the data is created and action must happen. When you do this, you can achieve much faster response times (very low latency from when an event happens until a response occurs).  For example, ecommerce website should give response closer datacenter when user visits the website so that he/she gets faster response

[atuld]

@MarjorieFreeman Great question and I believe there will be many answers to that question. It depends on whom you ask. I have written a blog earlier about it, on Edge Dilemma, but in simple words, 'Edge is technology stack, solving some real use case, at Edge of provider's network', closer to data source'. 

Pls do check my blog as well. 

https://telecomblogs.in/the-dilemma-of-choosing-right-approach-towards-5g-mec-for-telcos/

Thanks.

[MarjorieFreeman]

@atuld This is a great definition.

Thank you so much for sharing your blog! 

[jstanesic]

Easiest way to describe edge computing is as bringing servers/processing power closer to customers for them to have better experience.

Some everyday use cases of edge computing people might not think about are:

- running part of the code inside smart cars

- optimizing network traffic earlier so it saves bandwith and improves latency

[MarjorieFreeman]

Great (and easily grasped) definition, @jstanesic ! 

Without a doubt, Edge is worth talking about. As you listed, the automotive industry is headed toward a future of smart cars. Organizations are also seeing its benefits in alleviating bandwidth and latency issues. In addition to making a business case for it, how do you think you could help get more end users discussing it?

Basically, how can you encourage buy-in from the ground up? 

For instance, anyone that uses a cellphone has heard of 5G ... but not everyone understands that Edge technology is behind what makes 5G possible lol

(And I am one of these end-users so please correct me if I'm wrong! haha)

[jason-todd]

Well only by doing educations and tech talks.Nobody talks about how does a CT machine works or how does a plane fly except people who are interested in it. Which leads to my answer: Maybe by raising people's interest into those topics. Technology is too advanced for end users to understand or comprehend it completely in short amount of time, not talking here just about Edge, think of all devices/machines you use daily. Each of them consists of multiple technologies which have advanced from earlier solutions. Just take into consideration how much tech does a gas powered car has!

To encourage buy-in from ground up I would present benefits to all groups that use the technology.

[MarjorieFreeman]

Great point @jason-todd !! That makes perfect sense.