far edge
In the context of edge computing and the internet, "far edge" refers to the infrastructure that is deployed at the outermost boundary of the network, closest to the end-users or data sources, and farthest from centralized cloud data centers. This infrastructure is designed to process, store, and analyze data locally, which can significantly reduce latency, improve response times, and save bandwidth by not having to send all data back to a central location for processing.
Far edge computing is particularly beneficial for applications that require ultra-low latency, high scalability, and high throughput, such as augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR), gaming, and live video streaming. It can be deployed in various locations, including at the base of cell phone towers, in shopping malls, enterprises, and factories. The term "Multi-access Edge Compute" (MEC) is often associated with far edge infrastructure, indicating its relevance to both mobile and non-mobile use cases[1][2].
The far edge is part of a distributed IT architecture that aims to bring computation and data storage as close as possible to the location where data is generated. This approach is useful in scenarios where connectivity is unreliable or bandwidth is limited, such as on oil rigs, ships at sea, or remote areas like rainforests or deserts[3].
The terminology can vary based on the applications hosted at the far edge. For instance, it may be referred to as an "Enterprise Edge" when hosting enterprise applications or "IoT Edge" for IoT applications[1]. The far edge is distinct from the "near edge," which refers to infrastructure that is still closer to the user than traditional data centers but not as close as the far edge. Near edge typically offers round-trip latencies of 20 ms or less, while far edge targets even lower latencies in the microseconds range[5].
In summary, the far edge in edge computing represents the most decentralized point in the network where computing resources are placed in immediate proximity to end devices and users, facilitating faster processing and decision-making at the location where data is created[1][2][3][4].
Compare with: near edge
Citations:
[1] https://tech.ginkos.in/2019/06/far-edge-vs-near-edge-in-edge-computing.html
[2] https://www.eejournal.com/article/what-the-faq-is-the-edge-vs-the-far-edge/
[3] https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatacenter/definition/edge-computing
[4] https://avassa.io/articles/defining-the-edge-of-edge-computing/
[6] https://www.accenture.com/us-en/insights/cloud/edge-computing-index
[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edge_computing
[8] https://developer.nvidia.com/blog/different-types-of-edge-computing/