边缘Architectures Enable the Future

We’ve all heard the phrase数字转换，but did you know that edge architectures are enabling the future? While this may sound like marketing hype, it can’t be denied that we are living in a time of rapid technical and societal transformation. The way we design and build technical architectures is changing. The new technical capabilities available are, in turn, enabling extensive societal changes in how we work and live. It seems reasonable that organizations that proactively plan and lay the technical foundations required can enable this change for their organizations.

However, this type of global transformation can be disruptive, not to mention scary for those affected by the changes. What technical transformations are already in progress, and what is the best way to be ready for this future?

The Edge is an Emerging Model

A good starting point to ground our discussion of digital transformation is the Edge. It’s important to understand that the Edge is not necessarily the same architecture that we described 10 years ago. It is not a preciseplace，但相反，一个计算modelthat “brings computation and data storage closer to the location where it is needed”[Wikipedia].HPE defines it this way:

边缘computing is a distributed, open IT architecture that features decentralized processing power, enabling mobile computing and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies.

Put simply, the edge computing model moves compute to where the action is.

计算不再局限于数据中心的边界，也不再限于公共或私有云。并且设备收集和共享数据将变成信息（使用计算过程）不再需要直接人为干预。

The Internet of Things (IoT) is also a new type of compute platform. IoT assumes that all sorts of devices can get on a network and uniquely identify themselves to other devices on the same network. This allows devices to share data and even perform compute operations in the location the devices are physically located. These can be industrial devices that track the inner workings of a factory or farm, commercial devices such as light bulbs and other sensors, and even home devices such as baby monitors or refrigerators. Many of the devices can be managed by mobile phone apps, adding even more nodes that must be considered.

当然，涉及许多类型的数据源的新计算模型将在很大程度上取决于其网络取得成功。除了所有这些数据点的安全考虑之外，networks need to be designedso that they reliably transport data to be computed at the Edge itself. The data may also need to be transported to public or private cloud instances for retention or more in-depth compute.

Networking architecture is also evolving with theemergence of 5G.5G is also a platform that consists not only of the 5G radio, but also flexible core architectures and the growing willingness to perform compute at the edge. 5G will enable fast, stable connectivity between a larger number (not to mention more types) of devices than even cellular networks can handle.

Societal Impact of Emerging Tech

尽管这种转向新的计算模型对于技术人员来说是令人兴奋的，但重要的是要暂停并意识到，仅仅因为我们拥有工具而构建架构。我们建立体系结构以支持社会运作所需的应用程序的要求。

People don’t always move as swiftly as the technology, and sometimes with good reason. Even though we have the tech, there are questions to be considered about the application of it. For example, will the IoT model enable easier access for all with smart cities and buildings, or will it bring more surveillance that puts our most vulnerable populations in danger?

这些更改可能会改变我们的工作方式。在谈论工作的未来时，两个主要领域将影响人类。一个是自动化任务，从平凡到高度精确。通过使用机器人技术和人工智能，将有可能进行大规模自动化。这会使人们失业，还是会为每个人创造新的，更有意义的工作？

The other way people talk about the future of work is by examining the modes of work available. Is working from home viable? What about the gig economy? And what technologies are required so that everyone can participate?

挖掘者更深

In the next few posts, let’s dig deeper into the technical requirements and societal implications for smart cities and buildings, IoT, and the future of work.