Difference Between Edge Computing vs Cloud Computing

By | July 12, 2023

Enterprise computing applications now have access to a level of flexibility, value, and security never before imaginable thanks to these hybrid public-private clouds.

Real-time AI systems, however, frequently operate in remote locations too far from centralized cloud servers and therefore require a significant amount of local processing power.

This is why many companies deploy their AI applications using edge computing, which is the phrase for processing that happens where data is produced. Instead of managing and storing data remotely in a centralized data repository, edge computing manages and saves data locally on an edge device.

There are many advantages and use cases for edge computing vs cloud computing, and they can complement one another. dhra.info will provide for you some information about edge computing vs cloud computing.

What Is Cloud Computing?

edge computing vs cloud computing

edge computing vs cloud computing

According to market research company Gartner, “cloud computing is a style of computing in which scalable and elastic-IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service using Internet technologies.”

The advantages of cloud computing are numerous. The cloud is very or extremely crucial to the future strategy and expansion of their firm, according to 83 percent of respondents to the Harvard Business Review’s “The State of Cloud-Driven Transformation” report.

The adoption of cloud computing is steadily rising. Businesses have utilized and will continue to employ cloud infrastructure for the reasons listed below:

  • Lower initial cost – There is no longer a capital expenditure required for the acquisition of IT management, hardware, software, and 24-hour power for power and cooling. Companies can quickly launch applications thanks to cloud computing’s low financial entry barrier.
  • By only charging for the computer resources they actually use, flexible pricing enables organizations to better control costs and avoid unpleasant surprises.
  • Unlimited compute on demand – Cloud services may quickly respond to changes in demand by automatically provisioning and deprovisioning resources. This can lower costs while raising an organization’s general effectiveness.
  • Simplified IT management – Cloud providers give their clients access to IT management professionals, freeing up staff to concentrate on the essential requirements of the company.
  • Simple updates: With just one click, you may access the most recent equipment, programs, and services.
  • Reliability – Data can be duplicated at numerous redundant sites on the network of the cloud provider, making data backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity simpler and less expensive.
  • Save time: Setting up private servers and networks can take a lot of time for businesses. They can deploy applications in a fraction of the time and reach the market sooner with cloud infrastructure that is available on demand.

What Is Edge Computing?

edge computing vs cloud computing

edge computing vs cloud computing

Edge computing is the physical proximity of processing resources to a sensor or Internet of Things device, which often generates data. Edge computing provides faster data processing, higher bandwidth, and guaranteed data sovereignty by bringing compute resources to the edge of the network or device.

Edge computing processes data at a network’s edge, eliminating the need for large volumes of data to travel between servers, the cloud, and devices or edge locations to be processed. For modern applications like data science and artificial intelligence, this is very important.

What Are the Benefits of Edge Computing?

edge computing vs cloud computing

edge computing vs cloud computing

According to Gartner, the number of companies using edge use cases in production will rise from 5% in 2019 to around 40% in 2024. Modeling, video streaming, data processing and analysis, deep learning and inference, and other high compute applications are just a few of the ones that have become indispensable to modern life. As organizations become more conscious of the fact that these apps are powered by edge computing, the number of edge use cases in production should increase.

Businesses invest in cutting-edge technology to benefit from the following benefits:

  • Lower latency: As a result of edge processing, data transit is reduced or eliminated. This helps speed up insights for use cases requiring low latency and complicated AI models, including fully autonomous vehicles and augmented reality.
  • Cost savings: When compared to cloud computing, local area networks provide businesses greater bandwidth and storage at lower costs. A further benefit of processing at the edge is that less data must be transferred to the cloud or data center for additional processing. As a result, both the cost and the volume of data that must travel are reduced.
  • Model accuracy: For edge use cases that require immediate action, AI depends on highly accurate models. The issue of a network with insufficient bandwidth is frequently resolved by reducing the quantity of data sent into the model. This leads to smaller image sizes, skipped frames in video, and reduced audio sample rates. When AI models are deployed at the edge, data feedback loops can be used to improve their accuracy, and multiple models can run concurrently.
  • extended reach: edge computing vs cloud computing, An internet connection is required for typical cloud computing. Edge computing, however, may work with data locally and without an internet connection. Because of this, computing can now be used in remote or hostile areas.
  • Data sovereignty: By processing data where it is acquired, edge computing enables businesses to maintain all of their sensitive data and computation inside the local area network and company firewall. As a result, there is a lower chance of cloud cybersecurity attacks and strict data laws are better followed.

What Role Does Cloud Computing Play in Edge AI? 

Applications that are containerized have benefits for both edge computing vs cloud computing. Software packages known as containers may run applications on any operating system and are easy to deploy. To enable cross-platform or cloud operation, the software packages have been detached from the host operating system.

The main difference between edge computing vs cloud computing containers is their placement. Edge containers are located at the edge of a network, closer to the data source than cloud containers, which operate in a data center.

edge computing vs cloud computing, Businesses who already employ containerized cloud solutions find that deploying them at the edge is simple.

edge computing vs cloud computing, Businesses commonly run their edge AI data centers using cloud-native technology. This is because edge AI data centers frequently use 10,000 server sites without any physical security or qualified personnel. Therefore, edge AI servers need to be secure, dependable, and easy to scale.

When to Use edge computing vs cloud computing

Since both edge computing vs cloud computing have their own advantages, most businesses will eventually employ both of them. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing where to deploy specific workloads.