Fog Computing

Fog computing also known as fog networking or fogging, is a

decentralized computing architecture that brings cloud
computing capabilities to the network’s edge. This method
intends to increase efficiency, minimize latency, and improve
data processing capabilities. In this article, we will see
concepts of fog computing in detail.

What is Fog Computing?

Fog Computing is the term introduced by Cisco that refers to

extending cloud computing to an edge of the enterprise’s
network. Thus, it is also known as Edge Computing or
Fogging. It facilitates the operation of computing, storage, and
networking services between end devices and computing data
centers.

Fog Computing
  The devices comprising the fog infrastructure are known
as fog nodes.
 In fog computing, all the storage capabilities,
computation capabilities, data along with the applications
are placed between the cloud and the physical host.
 All these functionalities are placed more towards the host.
This makes processing faster as it is done almost at the
place where data is created.
 It improves the efficiency of the system and is also used
to ensure increased security.

History of Fog Computing

The term fog computing was coined by Cisco in January 2014.
This was because fog is referred to as clouds that are close to
the ground in the same way fog computing was related to the
nodes which are present near the nodes somewhere in between
the host and the cloud. It was intended to bring the
computational capabilities of the system close to the host
machine. After this gained a little popularity, IBM, in 2015,
coined a similar term called “Edge Computing”.
Types of Fog Computing

 Device-level Fog Computing: Device-level fog

computing utilizes low-power technology, including
sensors, switches, and routers. It can be used to collect
data from these devices and upload it to the cloud for
analysis.
  Edge-level Fog Computing: Edge-level fog computing
utilizes network-connected servers or appliances. These
devices can be used to process data before it is uploaded
to the cloud.
 Gateway-level Fog Computing: Fog computing at
the gateway level uses devices to connect the edge
to the cloud. These devices can be used to control traffic
and send only relevant data to the cloud.
 Cloud-level Fog Computing: Cloud-level fog
computing uses cloud-based servers or appliances. These
devices can be used to process data before it is sent to
end users.

Components of Fog Computing

 Edge devices: Edge devices are the network devices
nearest to the data source. Edge devices consist of
sensors, PLCs (programmable logic controllers), and
gateway routers.
 Data Processing: Data processing occurs locally on
edge devices rather than being routed to a central
location for processing. The end effect is greater
performance and lower latency.
 Data Storage: In Data storage. Instead of transferring
data to a central place, edge devices can keep
information locally. This increases security and privacy
while lowering latency.
  Connectivity: For fog computing to work, edge
devices must be connected to the rest of the network at
high speeds. This can be done using wired or wireless
methods.

When to Use Fog Computing?

 It is used when only selected data is required to send to
the cloud. This selected data is chosen for long-term
storage and is less frequently accessed by the host.
 It is used when the data should be analyzed within a
fraction of seconds i.e Latency should be low.
 It is used whenever a large number of services need to be
provided over a large area at different geographical
locations.
 Devices that are subjected to rigorous computations and
processings must use fog computing.
 Real-world examples where fog computing is used are in
IoT devices Devices with Sensors, Cameras (IIoT-
Industrial Internet of Things), etc.

Advantages of Fog Computing

 This approach reduces the amount of data that needs to
be sent to the cloud.
 Since the distance to be traveled by the data is reduced, it
results in saving network bandwidth.
  Reduces the response time of the system.
 It improves the overall security of the system as the data
resides close to the host.
 It provides better privacy as industries can perform
analysis on their data locally.

Disadvantages of Fog Computing

 Congestion may occur between the host and the fog node
due to increased traffic (heavy data flow).
 Power consumption increases when another layer is
placed between the host and the cloud.
 Scheduling tasks between host and fog nodes along with
fog nodes and the cloud is difficult.
 Data management becomes tedious as along with the
data stored and computed, the transmission of data
involves encryption-decryption too which in turn release
data.

Applications of Fog Computing

 It can be used to monitor and analyze the patients’
condition. In case of emergency, doctors can be alerted.
 It can be used for real-time rail monitoring as for high-
speed trains we want as little latency as possible.
 It can be used for gas and oils pipeline optimization. It
generates a huge amount of data and it is inefficient to
store all data into the cloud for analysis.
Difference Between Edge Computing and Fog
Computing

Edge Computing Fog Computing

Less scalable than fog Highly scalable when compared

computing. to edge computing.

Millions of nodes are

Billions of nodes are present.
present.

Nodes in this computing are

Nodes are installed far installed closer to the
away from the cloud. cloud(remote database where data
is stored).

Edge computing is a
Fog computing is a subdivision of
subdivision of fog
cloud computing.
computing.

The bandwidth
requirement is very The bandwidth requirement is
low. Because data high. Data originating from edge
comes from the edge nodes is transferred to the cloud.
nodes themselves.

Operational cost is Operational cost is comparatively

higher. lower.

High privacy. Attacks The probability of data attacks is

on data are very low. higher.

Edge devices are the

inclusion of the IoT
Fog is an extended layer of cloud.
devices or client’s
network.

The power consumption of nodes

The power filter important information from
consumption of nodes the massive amount of data
is low. collected from the device and
saves it in the filter high.

Edge computing helps Fog computing helps in filtering

devices to get faster important information from the
results by processing massive amount of data collected
the data simultaneously from the device and saves it in
received from the the cloud by sending the filtered
devices. data.

Conclusion
Finally, fog computing delivers cloud capabilities to the edge
of networks, increasing efficiency, lowering latency, and
improving data processing capabilities. It is perfect for real-
time data analysis, low-latency applications such as IoT, and
situations where data privacy and security are critical. While it
provides scalability and lower bandwidth usage, it also has
issues in managing data congestion and increasing power
consumption. Fog computing is making progress in
applications such as healthcare monitoring, industrial IoT, and
real-time analytics across a variety of industries.

Difference Between Cloud Computing and Fog

Computing

Cloud Computing: The delivery of on-demand computing

services is known as cloud computing. We can use
applications to storage and processing power over the internet.
It is a pay as you go service. Without owning any computing
infrastructure or any data centers, anyone can rent access to
anything from applications to storage from a cloud service
provider.
We can avoid the complexity of owning and maintaining
infrastructure by using cloud computing services and pay for
what we use.
In turn, cloud computing services providers can benefit from
significant economies of scale by delivering the same services
to a wide range of customers.
Fog Computing: Fog computing is a decentralized
computing infrastructure or process in which computing
resources are located between the data source and the cloud or
any other data center. Fog computing is a paradigm that
provides services to user requests at the edge networks. The
devices at the fog layer usually perform operations related to
networking such as routers, gateways, bridges, and hubs.
Researchers envision these devices to be capable of
performing both computational and networking operations,
simultaneously. Although these devices are resource-
constrained compared to the cloud servers, the geological
spread and the decentralized nature help in offering reliable
services with coverage over a wide area. Fog computing is the
physical location of the devices, which are much closer to the
users than the cloud servers.
Below is a table of differences between Cloud Computing and
Fog Computing:

Cloud Fog
Feature
Computing Computing

Cloud
computing has
Fog computing
Latency high latency
has low latency
compared to
fog computing

Cloud
Computing
does not Fog Computing
provide any reduces the
Capacity reduction in amount of data
data while sent to cloud
sending or computing.
transforming
data

Responsiven Response time Response time of

ess of the system is the system is high.
 low.

Cloud
computing has
Fog computing
Security less security
has high Security.
compared to
Fog Computing

Access speed is
High even more
high depending
Speed on the VM
compared to
Cloud Computing.
connectivity.

Multiple Data
Multiple data
Data sources and
sources can be
Integration devices can be
integrated.
integrated.

In cloud
Mobility is
computing
Mobility mobility is
supported in fog
computing.
Limited.

Partially
Location Supported in Supported in fog
Awareness Cloud computing.
computing.

Cloud Fog computing

Number of
computing has has Large number
Server Few number of of server nodes.
Nodes server nodes.

Geographica
It is decentralized
l It is centralized.
and distributed.
Distribution

Services Services provided

Location of
provided within at the edge of the
service the internet. local network.

Specific data Outdoor

center building (streets,base
Working
with air stations, etc.) or
environment conditioning indoor (houses,
systems cafes, etc.)

Wireless
communication:
WLAN, WiFi,
Communicat 3G, 4G, ZigBee,
IP network
ion mode etc. or wired
communication
(part of the IP
networks)

Dependence
Can also work in
on the Requires strong
Weak network
quality of network core.
core.
core network