Cloud computing has already made a huge breakthrough for computing services. Following the emergence of the Internet of Things (IoT), computing is advancing at a more astounding rate. With the help of the IoT, fog computing creates a virtual presence in everyday objects.
Fog computing is a decentralized form of computing service in which the data source and the cloud storage are separated by a layer of data. This form of data storage and processing offers greater flexibility than centralized forms of computing services. With a fog computing structure, users may optimize performance by placing resources, including applications and the data they generate, in logical locations to enhance performance. The whole idea of fog computing is to minimize the burden of the cloud.
What Is Fog Computing?
In 2014, Cisco came up with the term ‘fog computing’ to describe the practice of extending cloud computing to the network edge. Cisco was also the pioneer to launch the fog computing service, also known as ‘fogging’. The goal was to raise the system’s processing power to a level close to that of the host computer. Soon after it started to acquire some traction, IBM came up with a similar method called ‘edge computing’.
The fog computing structure makes it easier for end devices and computing data centers to operate computation, storage, and networking services. Fog computing was created with the primary purpose of minimizing the burden of the cloud by allowing less data to be sent to the cloud. Due to the small amount of data that is sent to the cloud, network bandwidth is highly conserved resulting in a reduced system reaction time. Furthermore, fogging allows improved privacy since firms can analyze their own data locally.
The emergence of IoT technology, which enables smart digital objects to communicate with one another, has served as a foundation to revolutionize everyday life by transforming common devices into intelligent ones. Consequently, the feature of IoT technology enables automatic storing and processing of data and has served as the premise for fog computing.
Concerns About Fog Computing
Fog computing has received several colorful admirations for its remarkable applications. However, the method also has its own downsides. It raises concerns due to its inconsistent governance standards and lack of expertise in fog computing technologies. It has also received criticism due to its difficult decentralized architecture.
Furthermore, due to heavy data flow, there is a possibility of congestion of data traffic between the host and the fog node. Moreover, because of the presence of a layer between the host and the cloud, consumption of energy rises and the management of data becomes difficult since it requires encryption and decryption of data before being released.
On top of that, it has an increased potential for cyber-attacks due to the extension of its network edge. Cyber-attacks such as spoofing, jamming signals, and introducing malicious data are more common forms of security threat.
Trends of Fog Computing
Even though fog computing is a newer paradigm of computing services, it already has a wide range of applications. Due to their functionality in making deep analysis, fog computing applications are extensively included in tasks that basically require real-time monitoring of data such as assessment of patient’s health conditions, tracking of time schedule of speed trains, operation of smart buildings and smart cities, optimization of oil and gas pipelines, and so on.
Back in 2016, Markets and Markets predicted that the fog computing market would grow at a 55.6 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from $22.28 million in 2017 to $203.48 million by 2022. The report was also able to show that the growth of the market was in proportion to the expansion of connected devices and cloud infrastructure.
Recently, Market Research Future reported that the global fog computing market might be forecast at $343.48 million with a CAGR of 55.6 percent by the year 2030. The research also indicated the global increase in the use of the IoT and adaptive problem-solving mechanisms are the key drivers that led to the rise of the fog computing market.
With the rapid rate of growth in the fog computing market, the technology is full of possibilities for the growth of cloud service providers, communications technology providers, platform providers, and system integrators.
Photo: Robsonphoto/Shutterstock
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