Definition of cloud computing – according to NIST

Cloud computing is a model for enabling ubiquitous, convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computing resources (for example, networks, servers, storage, applications, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort or service provider (SP) interaction.

AWS can deliver client-server computing in the same way a utility delivers electricity to you – pay-as-you-go with no upfront investment. AWS achieves economies of scale that even the largest businesses struggle to compete with. This is true in obvious ways such as data center and server prices it can negotiate.

It is true in many non-obvious ways as well. AWS has millions of customers and an infrastructure that must be secured both within and without. AWS security operations are world-class because they have to be. When you pay for an EC2 instance...

The combined effects of physics, economics, regulatory compliance, and organizational inertia have led to customers implementing hybrid architectures that require them to continue operating a full data center stack – even if all they want to do is host a few virtual machines.

An example of such a situation is depicted next. In this instance, the customer has built a cloud-native application making full use of the benefits afforded by AWS managed services. This application interacts with their ERP system to provide real-time insights from their manufacturing plants. However, because their ERP system must reside in a particular geography, they have retained a small physical footprint in their corporate data center. Their developers have to interact with on-premise components using different APIs than they use for cloud-based elements. Their operations team has to use a different set of tools to manage those resources, and what’s worse...

The AWS edge computing strategy aims to provide a comprehensive suite of services and solutions that enable businesses to harness the power of edge computing, addressing the challenges of data processing, latency, security, and scalability. By bringing AWS services and resources closer to end users and devices, this strategy allows organizations to optimize their applications and infrastructure for improved performance, efficiency, and user experience.

Key components of the AWS edge computing strategy include the following topics.

Localized AWS infrastructure and services

AWS offers solutions such as AWS Outposts, AWS Local Zones, and AWS Wavelength to extend the AWS cloud infrastructure to on-premises environments, local data centers, and even mobile networks. These localized infrastructure solutions enable lower latency, reduced data transfer costs, and better compliance with data sovereignty regulations.

AWS Snow Family facilitates...

In this chapter, we discussed the opportunities and challenges that edge computing presents. This includes those imposed by the laws of physics, the laws of economics, and the law of the land. We covered the AWS edge computing strategy, which is to extend its infrastructure and services closer to end users, allowing developers and operations staff to have a consistent experience via common APIs and management constructs.

We covered existing IIoT systems and protocols and introduced you to how AWS can integrate with them. We explored how MEC with 5G networks offers a unique opportunity for both MNOs and application developers to extend cloud applications closer to users on mobile devices. We also discussed the challenges associated with DDIL use cases in edge computing, as well as the transformative impact of immersive experiences and given example use cases you may not have considered before.

Finally, we briefly introduced you to AWS Local Zones, AWS Outposts, AWS Snow...