Edge Computing for Critical Infrastructure Delay Sensitive Applications: Current Trends and Future Directions

Abstract

Internet of things as an emerging technology is increasing into various aspects of our lives with several smart applications ranging from grid, cities, homes and healthcare. The IOT gadgets numbering in Billions are linked to the Internet regularly with projection of the devices expected to reach 500 billion by the year 2030. Produced data by the IOT gadgets are communicated constantly from sensors to the main storage platform designated at the remote cloud server. Several delay sensitive IOT applications needs constant computation of data generated by edge devices which makes the cloud not suitable for such applications. Hence, the edge architecture is vital so as to satisfy the necessities of employing cloud related platforms close to the data source of the network. Critical infrastructure (CI) are facilities such as oil and gas pipeline, power plants, airports, water treatment plants and communication systems in physical or virtual form that are considered vital for the regular operations of an economy and the society as a whole. Based on the challenges observed with the cloud and IOT paradigms integration, an edge computing framework was proposed and experimental procedures was carried out using the IFOGSIM simulation tool. Parameters such as delay and network bandwidth utilization was analyzed in contrast to the cloud and edge based architecture. It was shown that the edge based architecture shows less delay and less network utilization rates