Fog computing: Is it the future of cloud computing?
Fog computing is the new buzz in the world of computer
technology. The term fog computing was coined by CISCO. Fog computing also
known as fogging or edge computing closely resembles cloud computing and aims
to provide core
data, compute, storage, and application services on a truly distributed level
(i.e. at the edge of the network).
What is cloud computing?
Before we go into fog computing it is essential to know about
the concept of cloud and cloud computing.
The word is cloud is a metaphor for the internet. The term
cloud computing means internet based computing.
In this kind of computing a network of remote servers hosted on the
internet are used for processing and storing data.
What is fog computing?
The name fog computing
conveys the idea that the advantages of cloud computing can be brought closer
to the source of the data i.e. the end users (Fog is a cloud at the ground
level that surrounds us).
So what does it mean when we
say the advantages of the cloud are brought closer to the user?
In cloud computing all the data
and the operations on it are centered to the cloud. Whereas in fog computing,
the devices on the edge of the network are responsible for locally storing and
operating on the data. This removes the heavy dependency on the cloud.
Some application services are
handled at the network edge in a smart device and some application services are
handled in a remote data center i.e. in the cloud.
Why fog computing?
The current cloud architecture is heavily reliant on
distributed processing and available bandwidth from the edge device to the
back end server. Most of the processing occurs in the cloud rather than the end
devices.
Cloud computing is efficient
in dealing with the present data processing and storage needs. The
problem occurs when the amount of data to be handled by the servers is very
huge. In such a scenario, the current cloud structure falls apart as it relies
heavily on distributed processing
and available bandwidth from the edge device to the backend server. This leads
to bandwidth bottleneck problem which reduces the efficiency of the system.
Also it is impractical to force the cloud to store and process all the data.
Fog computing removes these
disadvantages of cloud computing by ensuring that the processing of data is
done at the edge of the network. It also suggests that end devices be allowed
to communicate with each other without the cloud intermediate. This
removes the bandwidth bottleneck problem.
The distinguishing characteristics of fog computing:
•
Proximity to the end users
•
Dense geographical
distribution
•
Support for mobility
•
Reduced latency
Applications of fog computing:
There are many applications of fogging. Some of them are
listed below:
•
Smart Grids
•
Smart
traffic lights and Connected cars
•
Software Defined Networks (SDN)
•
Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks (WSAN)
Advantages of fog computing:
Fogging
reduces network congestion, latency and bandwidth bottle neck problem as data
processing is done at the edge of the network. Fog computing provides a strong
support for internet of things. It also reduces the time required to store and
retrieve data. Ultimately providing a better user experience.
Disadvantages of fogging:
The
major drawback of fogging is the privacy risk it poses. For example, in smart
grids it is difficult to hide details such as what device was used at what
time. Not only that, it also provides a security risk. For example gateways
serving as fog devices may be compromised or replaced by fake ones.
Conclusion:
Fog
computing performs better compared to cloud computing with respect to the new
technologies. This does not mean that fog computing is a complete replacement
for the cloud. The best way to put it would be that fog computing is an
extension of the cloud to the edge of the network.
