Fog computing, also known as fog networking or fogging, is a decentralized computing infrastructure that places storage and processing components at the edge of the cloud, where data sources such as application users and sensors exist. It is an architecture that uses edge devices to carry out a substantial amount of computation, storage, and communication locally and routed over the Internet backbone. Fog computing is intended for distributed computing where numerous "peripheral" devices connect to a cloud. The term "fog" refers to its cloud-like properties, but closer to the "ground", i.e. IoT devices. Fog computing is a form of distributed computing that brings computation and data storage closer to the network edge, where many IoT devices are located.
Key features of fog computing include:
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Decentralization: Fog computing is a decentralized infrastructure that places storage and processing components at the edge of the cloud, where data sources such as application users and sensors exist.
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Flexibility: Fog computing enables users to place resources, including applications and the data they produce, in logical locations to enhance performance.
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Reduced Latency: By bringing computation and data storage closer to the network edge, fog computing reduces the reliance on the cloud for resource-intensive tasks, improving performance and reducing latency.
Fog computing can be used in a variety of scenarios, including traffic control, connected manufacturing devices, and systems that require real-time response, such as industrial control systems, video surveillance, or autonomous vehicles. Fog computing can also be used to offload computationally intensive tasks from centralized servers or to provide backup.
