A. Edge computing is a distributed computing paradigm that brings computation and data storage closer to the sources of data. Instead of sending data to a centralised cloud for processing, edge computing performs computation locally, on or near the device where the data is created—such as a smartphone, an IoT sensor, or a factory machine. This approach is designed to address some of the limitations of cloud computing, particularly in applications that require real-time data processing and low latency.
B. The primary motivation for edge computing is the need for speed. Transmitting massive amounts of data to a distant cloud server and back can introduce delays, or latency. For many emerging technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, industrial automation, and augmented reality, even a millisecond of latency can be critical. By processing data at the "edge" of the network, these applications can respond almost instantaneously to new information.
C. Edge computing also offers benefits in terms of bandwidth and data management. The explosive growth of IoT devices is generating an unprecedented volume of data. Sending all of this data to the cloud can be costly and can congest network bandwidth. Edge computing helps to alleviate this by processing much of the data locally and only sending the most important or relevant results to the cloud for storage or further analysis. This also enhances data privacy and security, as sensitive information can be processed on-site without being transmitted over the network.
D. Edge and cloud computing are not mutually exclusive; rather, they are complementary. The cloud is still ideal for large-scale data analysis, long-term storage, and training complex machine learning models. Edge computing handles the immediate, time-sensitive processing tasks. A hybrid model, where the edge and the cloud work together, is emerging as the dominant architecture for the next generation of connected applications, combining the best of both centralised and decentralised computing.
IELTS Practice Tests Practice Test / Part 1 #201
IELTS Practice Tests Practice Test / Part 1 #208
