Extending Cloud Technologies to the Edge
Published: 2024-03-19 13:32:03

In the world of technology, cloud technology has been a transformative force for several years, with key cloud services such as Amazon's AWS and Microsoft's cloud infrastructure leading the way. As forward as this technology has taken us, we now see a distinct migration from cloud computing to a new paradigm called edge computing. Edge computing optimizes internet devices and web applications by bringing computing closer to various data sources, often described as the "[edge of the network](https://www.pubnub.com/solutions/edge-message-bus/)". This shift is primarily fueled by the demand for real-time computing, data analysis, automation, and bandwidth-efficient communication. As a leader in that space, PubNub providers are at the forefront of this functional transformation.

### **What is Edge Computing?**

Edge computing is a term used to describe computation occurring closer to the data source, or quite literally, at the "edge" of the network. This computing architecture stands in contrast to cloud computing, which relies on large, centralized data centers or cloud resources located in geographically distributed server farms. While edge computing deals with computation at the ingress point of the network, the term "fog computing" broadens this to refer to computations happening at any point between the source and the cloud.

![Diagram describes the relationship between edge computing and cloud computing](https://www.pubnub.com/cdn/3prze68gbwl1/asset-17suaysk1qa1ix4/5372e181e64746ddd45a84becf9963ab/edge-computing-diagram-1024x512.png)

As we move forward, advancements like [5G](https://www.pubnub.com/solutions/5g/) networks and IoT, as well as advancements in machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence applications, are further driving the utility of edge computing. PubNub, with its state-of-the-art real-time data streaming and communication capabilities, is a great enabler in these developments, contributing meaningfully to this evolving ecosystem.

### **The Era of “Connected” and “Smart” Devices**

The number of connected IoT devices worldwide already exceeds 12 billion, reflecting a leap from the 10 billion accounted in 2021. Experts predict that this number would balloon to 30 billion by 2027. Our laptops, mobile phones, tablets, microcontrollers, and wearable IoT devices are becoming faster and more advanced with each passing year.

### **Give me Real-time!**

In the digital transformation landscape of today, real-time functionality defines modern applications, whether for commercial or industrial use. Consider the increased adoption of remote surgery, VR, AR, and online gaming, all of which underline the critical need for real-time communication, decision-making, and low latency interaction. PubNub, with its robust real-time messaging capabilities, sets the standard in this domain, facilitating seamless communication across devices and platforms.

### **How can edge computing be used to improve sustainability?**

Edge computing can enhance sustainability by allowing local processing and reducing data transfer to centralized cloud servers. This reduction in energy consumption required for long-distance data transmission reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Recently, edge computing has been central to the development and deployment of technologies like smart grids and renewable energy systems.

### **All Roads Lead to Edge Computing**

The shift from traditional cloud to edge computing has become more evident in recent years. Relying solely on the cloud for processing can introduce latency, compromising user experience and potentially resulting in missed opportunities, especially when vast amounts of data are involved. Edge computing offers a solution, reducing latency, speeding up data processing and providing high-performance and more fault tolerance. Case studies such as the success of real-time data processing in autonomous vehicles, or the improved performance in facial recognition systems, highlight the potential of edge computing. PubNub plays a pivotal role in this arena by facilitating real-time data flow, optimization, and use cases between cloud and edge devices, enabling businesses to glean actionable insights promptly.

### **We Still Need the Cloud**

Despite the increasing attention on edge computing, the cloud continues to hold its ground, particularly in scenarios where heavy computing resources and scalable data storage capacity are required. The cloud's capacity for big data analytics on historical data remains unmatched. On the cusp of this integration, PubNub bridges the gap, enabling seamless real-time data flow between the cloud and edge devices while adapting to emerging trends like hybrid cloud and multi-cloud computing.

### **Tracing History**

Historically, we have seen technology trends vacillate between periods of centralized and distributed computing. From the centralized mainframe servers of the 1960s and 70s to the distributed client-server web architecture of the 80s, then back to a more centralized architecture with the emergence of the mobile-cloud web architecture in the early 2000s. As we move forward, we see a shift back to distributed architecture with the rising prevalence of edge computing and the streaming web. PubNub technology weaves seamlessly into this historical narrative, supporting both centralized and distributed computing structures, and assisting in the transition between the two.

As [edge computing](https://www.pubnub.com/solutions/edge-message-bus/) becomes more commonplace, its impact can be felt across various sectors, from retail to healthcare, and extending to the entertainment industry. Practical applications of edge computing are continuously expanding, from data collection and data analytics to robotics, thanks in no small part to the evolution of technology.

In conclusion, as we embrace the shift from cloud to edge, PubNub continues to drive the evolution, offering robust and scalable solutions for real-time communication and data streaming. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest advancements and future plans of PubNub technology.

### **Read more**

-   [The benefits of Edge Messaging](https://www.pubnub.com/blog/the-benefits-of-edge-messaging/)
    

#### Contents

[What is Edge Computing?](#h-0)[The Era of “Connected” and “Smart” Devices](#h-1)[Give me Real-time!](#h-2)[How can edge computing be used to improve sustainability?](#h-3)[All Roads Lead to Edge Computing](#h-4)[We Still Need the Cloud](#h-5)[Tracing History](#h-6)[Read more](#h-7)

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This article was originally published on [PubNub.com](https://www.pubnub.com/blog/extending-cloud-technologies-to-the-edge/)

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