An automatic IoT application placement using an improved equilibrium optimizer algorithm in fog computing
Authors: Sahragard Khadijeh , Maroosi Ali , Ghobaei-Arani Mostafa 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThe rapid proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices across various domains has created a demand for real-time computing resources that traditional cloud computing models struggle to meet. Fog computing, which brings computation resources closer to IoT devices, has emerged as a promising solution. An automatic service placement framework is needed to use fog computing resources efficiently.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, first a three-layer independent service framework is introduced to define relationships between IoT devices and fog layers, facilitating automatic application deployment. Next, an enhanced version of the equilibrium optimizer (EO) algorithm, inspired by physics, is designed for service placement in fog computing environments.FindingsSimulations reveal that the proposed approach surpasses existing methods, achieving a 99% success rate compared to the closest alternative’s 93%. The algorithm also significantly reduces waiting and planning times for service placement, proving its efficiency and effectiveness in optimizing IoT service deployment in fog computing.Research limitations/implicationsOne of the primary limitations is the computational complexity involved in dynamically adjusting to real-time changes in network conditions and IoT workloads. Although improved EO offers improvements in placement efficiency, it may not be fully optimized for highly fluctuating environments. Another important limitation is the uncertainty in node resources. Fog computing environments often face unpredictable changes in the availability and capacity of resources across nodes. This uncertainty can affect the algorithm’s ability to consistently make optimal decisions for IoT service placement.Practical implicationsFrom a practical perspective, the implementation of the proposed framework and the improved EO algorithm can drastically enhance the efficiency of IoT service deployment in fog computing systems. Organizations that rely on IoT networks, particularly those with critical real-time requirements, can benefit from reduced service placement times and lower failure rates. This can lead to better resource utilization, reduced operational costs and improved overall performance of IoT systems. The commercial impact is evident in industries such as smart cities, healthcare, where fast data processing is crucial.Social implicationsOur proposed framework has important implications for real-world IoT applications, particularly in areas requiring low latency processing, such as healthcare, smart cities. By reducing service delays and optimizing resource allocation, the framework can significantly improve the quality and reliability of services. Additionally, improved resource management leads to cost savings and better system efficiency, making the technology accessible to a wider range of applications.Originality/valueExisting resource placement strategies have shown inadequate performance, highlighting the need for more advanced algorithms. This study introduces a three-layer automatic framework for enhancing the application deployment of a fog system beside a novel improved EO algorithm to offer a robust solution for assigning IoT applications to fog nodes.