Edge computing has gained traction due to the proliferation of IoT devices and the advent of 5G networks. It is a computing paradigm that processes data at its source, near the end-user, enabling faster, low-latency, high-bandwidth, and reliable data processing.
Enterprise networks generate and consume massive amounts of data across distributed environments, necessitating improvements in speed, capacity, bandwidth, and latency reduction. While 5G technology delivers these enhancements, it cannot function optimally without edge computing.
Edge computing differs from related concepts like network edge, fog computing, and cloud computing. It specifically refers to the mechanism of processing data at its point of origin, typically close to the end-user. This approach offers several advantages, including reduced latency, improved bandwidth utilization, and increased reliability.
The growth of IoT devices has been a key driver behind the rising popularity of edge computing. Additionally, edge computing is a critical component of 5G networks, as it enables the realization of many anticipated benefits of 5G, such as high-speed data processing and reduced latency.
Despite its increasing adoption, edge computing can still be a complex concept to grasp. Distinguishing it from other related technologies and understanding its role in modern networking is crucial.
The following 10 quiz questions delve into the intricacies of edge computing, exploring its key terms, relationships with other technologies, and its pivotal role in modern networking infrastructure.
Table of Contents
Question 1
What is edge computing?
A. An architecture that processes data as close to its source as possible
B. A new name for computing
C. A type of computing that leaves network teams on edge
D. An architecture that runs workloads in a cloud environment
Answer
A. An architecture that processes data as close to its source as possible
Explanation
Edge computing processes client data at a network’s edge, which is as close to the data’s source as possible. Edge computing eliminates the distance between users and applications, which alleviates many bandwidth, latency and throughput issues that distance can cause. Edge computing combines data center and cloud architectures for a more modern, efficient technology.
Question 2
True or false: Edge computing and the network edge are the same thing.
A. True
B. False
Answer
B. False
Explanation
Edge computing and the network edge are not the same. A network edge is one or more perimeter that separates a network into parts: the part the organization owns and the part a third party operates. Edge computing processes and stores data at the network edge, but the network edge exists with or without edge computing.
Question 3
What’s the difference between edge computing and fog computing?
A. Experts use them interchangeably.
B. The architectures place intelligence and compute power in separate places.
C. Fog computing encompasses a web of connected devices and data locations, and edge computing processes data and compute solely at the edge.
D. All of the above
Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Network professionals have varied responses to this question, hence why all answers could be correct. Some use fog computing and edge computing interchangeably, others believe the two differ slightly and some say they differ greatly.
Like edge computing, fog computing processes data and compute closer to the data source. Yet, instead of processing data specifically at the edge, fog computing processes data between the source and the cloud. Both fog and edge computing bring cloudlike capabilities closer to data processing, but the processing methods differ.
Question 4
What is edge computing’s role in cloud computing?
A. They are the same.
B. Edge computing runs workloads in edge and cloud environments.
C. Edge computing provides an alternate location to run workloads — at the edge instead of a cloud environment.
D. They are unrelated.
Answer
C. Edge computing provides an alternate location to run workloads — at the edge instead of a cloud environment.
Explanation
Edge computing and cloud computing are not the same thing. Edge computing isn’t a replacement for cloud computing, which delivers hosted services over the internet within cloud environments. Unlike cloud computing, edge computing is less likely to cause delays from data moving across the network because it processes data at the edge. The two also differ in terms of security, as edge computing doesn’t store data at distributed sites, so hackers have less access to vulnerable data.
Question 5
What is the relationship between 5G and edge computing?
A. Edge computing supports 5G.
B. 5G supports edge computing.
C. Edge computing and 5G reciprocally support each other.
D. There isn’t one.
Answer
C. Edge computing and 5G reciprocally support each other.
Explanation
Edge computing and 5G mutually benefit each other. Because edge computing moves data and compute closer to its source, data no longer travels to the cloud or data center, which speeds up processing time. Real-time processing enables networks to optimize bandwidth use, improve reliability and reduce latency to the ultralow levels 5G promises to bring. 5G’s higher speeds and increased capacity provides edge computing with the capability to achieve these gains.
Question 6
Which factor frequently causes problems within edge computing architectures?
A. Bandwidth
B. Latency
C. Network security
D. Network traffic
Answer
D. Network traffic
Explanation
Common edge computing challenges include distributed computing, security and data accumulation — and network traffic plays a role in all of them. Inconsistent traffic patterns can complicate security and compute models, which might urge network teams to reconsider their network configurations. Other challenges include network bandwidth, latency and data backup.
Question 7
True or false: Edge computing offers quick response times and support for large data amounts.
A. True
B. False
Answer
A. True
Explanation
Two main benefits of edge computing include faster response times and increased support for large and growing amounts of data. Other advantages include centralized management, remote capabilities and cloud-based infrastructure, which can help network teams deliver local services more easily.
Question 8
What are the benefits of edge computing security?
A. Edge computing security only benefits IoT.
B. Edge computing only secures data about network edge devices.
C. Edge computing security can respond in real time and host behavioral threat analytics.
D. Edge computing cannot be secure.
Answer
C. Edge computing security can respond in real time and host behavioral threat analytics.
Explanation
Edge computing stores data at the edge and prevents bad actors from accessing vulnerable data at individual sites. Edge computing can also secure IoT, which helps teams secure an organization’s network as a whole. Edge computing can also host secure web access gateways, which enable devices to connect to the organization’s overall network, and behavioral threat analytics, which provide an additional tier of management and monitoring.
Question 9
How can software-defined networking (SDN) work with edge computing?
A. Edge computing only works in a software-defined network.
B. SDN can streamline how edge computing processes data.
C. They don’t work well together.
D. They are the same.
Answer
B. SDN can streamline how edge computing processes data.
Explanation
SDN can help decide whether to process data and tasks at the edge or in the cloud. It also helps make effective data processing decisions for individual networks and their desired outcomes and even alleviate bottlenecking issues. Over time, the two will likely interact and intertwine further.
Question 10
Why does edge computing matter?
A. It can alleviate latency issues.
B. It can ease network congestion.
C. It can bolster bandwidth for IoT devices.
D. All of the above
Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
Edge computing’s ability to process data closer to data sources can reduce latency, as data no longer travels to distant data centers or clouds, which takes up unnecessary time. Edge computing can alleviate congestion because it performs operations locally, so raw data movement no longer overwhelms networks. And bandwidth maintains a better overall performance, even in areas with unreliable connectivity.