Fog computing

Concept

The term Fog Computing was coined Cisco by Flavio Bonomi, the company's vice president, in 2011. He proposed the concept of Fog Computing by analogy with "Cloud Computing" as an extension of the "cloud" to the boundaries of the network. Technologically, the concept of Fog Computing is closely related to distributed (cloud) data centers, in which servers data centers they can be located in many locations, up to the border of the network. Data centers can be small (container, modular or mobile), being actually the "outlets" of large data centers. Thus, the hallmark of Fog Computing is proximity to end users and support for their mobility.

The development of the Internet of Things (IoT, Internet of Things) required support for the mobility of IoT devices for various geolocation locations and with a slight delay in data processing. Therefore, a new platform was proposed to meet such requirements, which was called Fog computing - "foggy computing." Its main feature is the processing of data in the immediate vicinity of the sources of their receipt, without the need to transfer them to large data centers only in order to process them there and transfer the results back.

Thus, the origin of the term "foggy computing" becomes clear: when a thick cloud descends to the surface of the earth (on the border of the network), we see fog.

Standardization

In 2015, in order to develop unified approaches to the implementation of Fog by companies, ARM,, Cisco,, Dell Intel Microsoft as well as Princeton University, USA the OpenFog Consortium was created in. Subsequently, the OpenFog consortium included many other companies (,, etc.), General Electric Hitachi ZTE as well as universities, for example, ShanghaiTech University. By 2018, more than 50 members are entering OpenFog. The OpenFog Consortium is developing a standard OpenFog RA^[1] Reference Architecture) architecture.

Implementation and Architecture

Both Cloud and Fog Computing use similar IT resources: computing devices (servers and processors of users' computers), network switching nodes and storage systems. However, expanding the cloud to the boundaries of the network is not just about scaling this cloud. The technical implementation, as well as the range of Fog applications, can differ significantly from Cloud. Fog is intended mainly for applications and services that do not work well in the Cloud Computing architecture, or cannot work in it at all. Basically, this is an area of ​ ​ the Internet of Things, the growing development of which cannot be fully supported only with the help of Cloud^[2]The development of IoT has faced the need to filter and pre-process data before being sent to the cloud. Basically, these are the following applications:

• Applications that require a low and predictable delay in the transmission of information over the network, such as gaming applications or video conferencing.
• Applications for transport such as: self-driving cars, high-speed trains, intelligent transport systems, etc.
• Applications requiring real-time local data processing such as Smart Grid, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), Geophysical Exploration, Pipeline Management, Sensor Environmental Monitoring Networks, etc.

Fog is not an alternative for Cloud. On the contrary, Fog interacts fruitfully with Cloud, especially in administration and data analytics, and this interaction generates a new class of applications.

The Fog Computing architecture is a kind of "layer" at the border between the cloud and IoT devices with sensors, as well as users' mobile devices.

Fog Computing Network Architecture

The main architectural differences between Fog and Cloud:

• Quality of Service (QoS), which requires dynamic adaptation of applications to the state of the network.
• Location Awareness in order to maintain the stability of the application in the context of terminal mobility.
• Track Context Awareness, that is, the ability to detect the availability of available resources nearby in order to use them in the application, with the ability to interact horizontally.

In Fog architecture, network nodes (Fog Sites) located closer to cloud data centers have more processing power and more data in storage systems. Network nodes closer to IoT sensors and mobile devices are more interactive and responsive. A distinctive feature of Fog is that user devices, such as personal computers, home gateways, set-top boxes and mobile devices, can act as a network node. In order for the user's device to function as a Fog network node, the user must give the telecom operator the appropriate permission to use the computing power of his gadget in the background, in exchange for various benefits from the operator.

Typical application of Fog Computing

Distributed Computing and Big Data in IoT

Typical application of Fog Computing

Platforms for foggy computing

Some use cases

There can be a lot of scenarios for using Fog Computing, and the development of related technologies will allow more and more new scenarios. According to Ovum, Fog Computing is the main environment for the Internet of Things^[3]

Internet of Things and Fog Computing trends.

Autonomous Driving System (ADS)

ADS uses a variety of multi-mode sensors, computer vision and image analysis technologies, satellite and network positioning on maps and predictive analytics, on the basis of which ADS helps to control the driver or controls a self-moving vehicle. In such applications, high speed is required, so a Fog node with artificial intelligence elements must be placed directly in the vehicle.^[4]

Fog Node Components in ADS

Fog Systems in eHealth (eHealth)

Fog systems are used in medicine when it is necessary to perform an operational analysis of the obtained data with patient-worn sensors and take immediate action in accordance with treatment plan^[5].

For example, Fog technologies are already used to monitor the condition of diabetic patients and automatically administer ^[6]. The sensor on the patient's body detects the critical value of the blood sugar content, and through the Fog network signals the injection using a micro-syringe also located on the patient's body. Thus, the patient eliminates the need to constantly make measurements and inject himself.

Cloud Provider Fog Projects

In 2016, the three largest cloud platform providers - Amazon, Google and Microsoft - began several projects to use Fog Computing in their IoT ecosystems, which use the so-called "serverless architecture."

Serverless architecture allows thousands and millions of users (in particular, fog devices) to execute source code inside the computing environment without caring about scaling resources.

Microsoft

Microsoft has announced support for Azure (Azure Functions) functions within the Software Development Kit (SDK) development platform. Azure features were first introduced into the serverless architecture cloud product families developed by Microsoft.

Amazon

Amazon has developed the Greengrass platform with support for the so-called Lambda functions (serverless architecture) in IoT devices when interacting with the cloud platform. AWS Greengrass is a software module execution container that can be run directly on a Fog device, not on a server in a data center. Devices with Greengrass can exchange information with each other regardless of the presence of an external, Internet i.e. horizontally between Fog devices using various radio protocols of the Internet of Things.

Google

Google introduced the IoT platform Android Things with support for Intel the Edison and Joule 570x, NXP Pico i.MX6UL and Argon i.MX6UL microcomputers, as well as the Raspberry Pi 3. Fog applications are being developed on the Android Studio platform for any of these devices. Android Things also provides integration with Google Play and the entire Android ecosystem, which now employs 90% smartphones of the world. Thus, the Android Things system allows any Android to the smartphone or tablet to work as a Fog node.

These projects show a tendency to "commoditize" IoT devices, that is, design and build them on the basis of publicly available Fog Computing elements.

In Russia, IoT and Fog Computing technologies are used, for example, in solutions of the "intellectual quarry" of the Russian company VIST Mining Technologies (the word "mining" in the name of the Russian company is used in its original meaning - mining).

Intelligent quarry solution scheme of the Russian company VIST Mining Technologies

Benefits and Forecasts

Fog Computing is a new stage in the development ^[7] cloud computing that reduces the latency that occurs when data is transferred to the central cloud and provides new opportunities for creating intelligent IoT devices^[8]

The advantage of foggy computing is to reduce the amount of data transferred to the cloud, which reduces network bandwidth requirements, increases data processing speed, and reduces decision delays. Foggy computing solves a number of the most common problems, including:

• High network latency
• difficulties associated with the mobility of endpoints;
• loss of communication;
• High bandwidth cost
• unexpected network congestion;
• large geographic distribution of systems and customers.

The global Fog systems market is estimated at $18 billion by 2022^[9].

The largest potential for the development of Fog computing technology is in the following industries: power, utilities, and transport, agriculture, trade, as well as healthcare and industrial production.

The energy sector and utilities represent the largest market for Fog computing systems, with the potential to grow to $3.84 billion by 2022.

The transportation sector is the second most important potential market for Fog computing, with the potential to grow to $3.29 billion by 2022

The medical industry represents the third largest Fog computing market, estimated at $2.74 billion by 2022.

Development in Russia

2016: Kremlin instructed to prepare foggy computing infrastructure

On July 1, 2016, it became known that the Kremlin instructed the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, as well as other departments to prepare the foggy computing infrastructure.

According to Kommersant, the presidential administration sent a letter to the Ministry of Communications, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Rostelecom and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI) with the signature of President Vladimir Putin on the development of foggy computing in Russia.

Putin instructed the development of foggy computing in Russia

It was instructed to work out the introduction of foggy computing in the Russian economy, as well as the creation of software and hardware systems necessary for the operation of the foggy computing infrastructure, "a person close to the Kremlin told the publication.

Another source in one of the relevant ministries , in a conversation with the newspaper, clarified that the results of the execution of the order should be presented in October 2016. It is noted that the initiative to work in this area comes from Rostelecom and ASI, whose idea was supported in the presidential administration.

Kommersant reports that the Ministry of Industry and Trade has asked several Russian technology companies to provide an examination of the project. In particular, the ministry sent a corresponding request to the company "T-Platforms," which is engaged in the development of computer technology.^[10]

Development in the world

2024: Global foggy computing market rises to $2.63 for the year

At the end of 2024, the costs of the global foggy computing market reached $2.63 billion. For comparison, a year earlier this figure was approximately $2.13 billion. Thus, expenses increased by almost a quarter - by 23%. Industry trends are addressed in the Market Research Future survey published in late January 2024.

Foggy computing is an additional layer of data collection and analysis closer to the user than cloud platforms. Foggy systems are intermediate between cloud data centers, endpoints, and other elements of the IT infrastructure. In other words, an auxiliary layer is introduced between the classic cloud and the periphery. Foggy computing provides advantages such as low data latency and better end-device connectivity, improved wireless access technologies, support for streaming software and real-time applications, etc.

One of the key drivers of the market in question, the authors of the study call the surge in demand for information processing solutions in various sectors. Against the backdrop of the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the ongoing digital transformation, organizations need real-time analytics to maintain competitive advantages and improve operational efficiency. Foggy computing provides a decentralized approach, bringing information processing closer to the source (periphery) instead of using exclusively centralized cloud resources. As a result, organizations can achieve less latency, improved responsiveness, and improved overall IT performance. Businesses in industries such as healthcare, automotive and manufacturing are increasingly adopting fog computing platforms to speed up decision-making. This type of system contributes to the development of smart cities, autonomous vehicles and industrial automation.

Foggy computing can also help reduce some of the risks associated with transferring data to the cloud. By processing sensitive information closer to the source, organizations can implement more robust security controls tailored to specific industry needs. Overall, the nebulous computing market is experiencing steady growth, fueled by technological advancements and a shift to more decentralized computing architectures that can meet the changing needs of companies.

Analysts identify five key market segments: smart cities, industrial Internet of Things, healthcare, smart electricity networks and Internet-connected vehicles. According to estimates, in 2023 the first of these areas provided revenue in the amount of $0.5 billion. Industrial IoT accounted for 0.7 billion, health care - $0.4 billion. Smart power grids brought in $0.3 billion, connected cars - $0.23 billion. Among the significant players in the industry are named:

• NPE;
• Nokia;
• Amazon;
• Mavenir;
• NEC;
• Dell Technologies;
• GE Digital;
• Cisco;
• Oracle;
• IBM;
• Microsoft;
• Lanner Electronics;
• Fuji Electric;
• Rittal;
• Intel.

In 2023, North America led with costs of $0.85 billion. This is followed by Europe and the Asia-Pacific region with an estimate of $0.6 billion and $0.45 billion, respectively. South America brought in $0.08 billion, the Middle East and Africa - $0.15 billion. The global foggy computing market is expected to grow to $14.17 billion by 2032.^[11]

Notes