The fields of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) are constantly colliding and merging. Various industries are increasing investment in large and small operating equipment and assets to enrich data and utilize it to accelerate operations and solve complex on-site problems. A key trend behind this shift is edge oriented, rather than centralized or hierarchical model of automated system design, which is often referred to as edge computing. Do you really know about edge computing devices? With this question in mind, the English code editor will now answer it for you.
Do you really know about edge computing devices?
The first thing to understand is that edge computing did not develop out of thin air. It does not refer to a single technology. Edge computing is related to a broader and broader architecture concept - distributed computing. Its computing resources are distributed in the whole system, rather than concentrated in the main controller or application program. Distributed control system engineers have already applied this concept in practical work.
However, edge computing is not an evolution of distributed control systems, but a global distributed network that forms the Internet at the beginning of the 21st century. Large centralized networks face inherent bandwidth limitations and latency issues. To improve responsiveness, it seems more meaningful to transfer resources closer to the areas that require them geographically.
Meanwhile, with the proliferation of smart devices and the development of the Internet of Things, more local computing resources and services are available. These functions are being pushed to the lowest level of automated networks, where actual detection and control are carried out, which is referred to as "edges" in edge computing. According to the scope of the discussion, network edges can be seen as any element in the "last mile" of the connected network, preferably seen as distinct from resources located in the network core or cloud.
"Edge devices" can refer to intelligent field devices such as transmitters, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and programmable automation controllers (PACs), as well as edge gateways that connect various network components or bridge different networks, such as protocol converters, routers, and industrial PCs. Similar edge devices are increasingly involved in the aggregation and standardization of process data.
Edge computing has gone beyond the scope of improving resource utilization. With the help of more powerful edge devices, we can bring new value enhancements to processes, such as local process hosting visualization, database, communication, or application server capabilities, thereby reducing reliance on high maintenance PCs and strengthening IT integration.
Learn edge computing skills
By design, the edge computing architecture integrates the previously isolated functions and technologies. For OT experts, utilizing this transformation may require developing new skills. Advanced skills in edge computing, including system design, network connectivity, database expertise and security. Here are some requirements for developing these skills.
1. System design. To design an edge oriented system, someone needs to know how all devices are integrated together. Edge devices, computer networks, and software systems all have specific resource limitations, and their interaction quality can improve or decrease, which will affect the effectiveness of the entire system. When data is transmitted across domains, interoperability becomes a bigger issue. Helps to understand common data exchange formats (such as JSON) and how to collaborate and efficiently process and organize data across multiple devices. These factors determine the properties of the system, such as scalability. In the next 10 years, with the development of IIoT integration, these attributes will become increasingly important.
2. Network connection. Edge computing improves the performance of IT/OT systems by using network resources more effectively. Therefore, when using edge computing systems, it is very helpful if engineers know how to measure and manage the performance of computer networks. Adding multiple edge devices can generate a large amount of data, which may slow down communication speed and lead to network congestion. If designed properly, it can improve on-site response speed and reduce the use of core resources. Using efficient communication protocols such as Message Queuing Telemetry Transmission (MQTT) can further reduce bandwidth requirements. Other factors, such as scalability and fault tolerance, also play a role in network design or the selection of devices and communication protocols.
3. Database expertise. In IT and OT systems, databases are crucial for data storage, distribution, and analysis. Edge computing makes the connection between the two more and closer, which requires OT experts to know how to design databases and how to interact with them. The security and efficiency of a database may be negatively affected by the quality of incoming data, as well as the frequency and type of processing. Specialized software includes an open-source IoT connectivity tool that facilitates data sharing between edge devices, databases, and cloud services, as well as other software tools that can simplify industrial application database connectivity.
4. Security. In a control network, if data can be stored, accessed, and managed from multiple points, it cannot be assumed that the control system is secure from a physical and network perspective. Engineers using this type of network must be familiar with potential risks and tools to mitigate them. Engineers need to understand the functions and implementation of network security devices such as firewalls, as well as data protection functions such as authentication, encryption, and authentication. They should also be able to evaluate the security of new devices and applications before they are introduced into the network.
Don't ignore the inevitability of edge computing, or any technology that helps IT/OT integration and transition to IIoT. As daily devices become increasingly powerful, this requires engineers to use them for more things. This is a development trend faced by engineers, who will use their knowledge to create value for internal and external clients. In the coming years, engineers investing in developing new knowledge, skills, and connections will find opportunities open to them.