Volume 45, Number 5, October 2015 | Pedro Garcia Lopez, Alberto Montresor, Dick Epema, Anwitaman Datta, Teruo Higashino, Adriana Iamnitchi, Marinho Barcellos, Pascal Felber, Etienne Riviere
The article "Edge-centric Computing: Vision and Challenges" by Pedro Garcia Lopez et al. explores the emerging trend of moving computing applications, data, and services from centralized cloud nodes to the periphery of the network, known as the "edge." This shift is driven by technological advancements such as powerful home connection boxes, high-capacity mobile devices, and robust wireless networks, as well as growing concerns about privacy, trust, and autonomy. The authors propose a new paradigm called *Edge-centric Computing*, which aims to blur the boundaries between humans and machines, fostering social computing where humans are integral to the computation and decision-making process.
The paper discusses the key elements of Edge-centric Computing, including proximity, intelligence, trust, control, and human involvement. It highlights the benefits of these elements, such as improved efficiency in communication and data distribution, autonomous decision-making, secure management of sensitive information, and the ability to reacquire control over personal data. The authors also address the challenges associated with implementing Edge-centric Computing, such as designing secure and privacy-aware systems, developing novel programming abstractions and middleware, and ensuring scalability in massive overlays.
The article further explores various scenarios where Edge-centric Computing can be applied, including personal spaces, social spaces, and public spaces. Each scenario is analyzed in terms of trust, control, human involvement, proximity, and intelligence, with specific research challenges outlined for each. The authors conclude that Edge-centric Computing is a promising paradigm that combines the strengths of peer-to-peer and cloud computing, offering enhanced security, privacy, and user control while leveraging the resources of edge devices and supporting mobility.The article "Edge-centric Computing: Vision and Challenges" by Pedro Garcia Lopez et al. explores the emerging trend of moving computing applications, data, and services from centralized cloud nodes to the periphery of the network, known as the "edge." This shift is driven by technological advancements such as powerful home connection boxes, high-capacity mobile devices, and robust wireless networks, as well as growing concerns about privacy, trust, and autonomy. The authors propose a new paradigm called *Edge-centric Computing*, which aims to blur the boundaries between humans and machines, fostering social computing where humans are integral to the computation and decision-making process.
The paper discusses the key elements of Edge-centric Computing, including proximity, intelligence, trust, control, and human involvement. It highlights the benefits of these elements, such as improved efficiency in communication and data distribution, autonomous decision-making, secure management of sensitive information, and the ability to reacquire control over personal data. The authors also address the challenges associated with implementing Edge-centric Computing, such as designing secure and privacy-aware systems, developing novel programming abstractions and middleware, and ensuring scalability in massive overlays.
The article further explores various scenarios where Edge-centric Computing can be applied, including personal spaces, social spaces, and public spaces. Each scenario is analyzed in terms of trust, control, human involvement, proximity, and intelligence, with specific research challenges outlined for each. The authors conclude that Edge-centric Computing is a promising paradigm that combines the strengths of peer-to-peer and cloud computing, offering enhanced security, privacy, and user control while leveraging the resources of edge devices and supporting mobility.