Advantages of Fog Computing | disadvantages of Fog Computing

This page covers advantages and disadvantages of Fog Computing. It mentions Fog Computing advantages or benefits and Fog Computing disadvantages or drawbacks.

Introduction:
We have already seen cloud computing used for processing, analysis and storage of the data from client devices. Due to evolution of IoT (Internet of things) devices, huge amount of data are generated daily. Moreover it is expected to have about 50 billion IoT devices to be online by the year 2020. Present cloud computing model is not capable to handle huge bandwidth data due to its latency, volume and bandwidth requirements. The fog computing is developed to address all the issues faced by cloud computing model.

What is Fog Computing?

Fog extends the cloud close to the devices which produce or generate the data. The devices are called fog nodes. The device with network connection, storage and computing feature is known as fog node. Examples include switches, controllers, routers, servers, cameras and so on. The fog computing is also called edge computing.

Fog computing is maily used for following.
• To analyze most time sensitive data at the edge of the network close to where they are generated rather than sending huge amount of data to the cloud. It acts on IoT data in milliseconds.
• To send selected data to the cloud for analysis and long term storage.
• To provide services to large number of devices spread across large geographical region.
• To address devices subjected to extreme conditions.
• Refer Fog computing architecture working >> for more information.

Benefits or advantages of Fog Computing

Following are the benefits or advantages of Fog Computing:
➨It offers better security. Fog nodes can be protected using same procedures followed in IT environment.
➨It processes selected data locally instead of sending them to the cloud for processing. Hence it can save network bandwidth. This leads to lower operational costs.
➨It reduces latency requirements and hence quick decisions can be made. This helps in avoiding accidents.
➨It offers better privacy to the users data as they are analyzed locally instead of sending them to the cloud. Moreover IT team can manage and control the devices.
➨It is easy to develop fog applications using right tools which can drive machines as per customers need.
➨Fog nodes are mobile in nature. Hence they can join and leave the network at any time.
➨Fog nodes can withstand harsh environmental conditions in places such as tracks, vehicles, under sea, factory floors etc. Moreover it can be installed in remote locations.
➨Fog computing offers reduction in latency as data are analyzed locally. This is due to less round trip time and less amount of data bandwidth.

Drawbacks or disadvantages of Fog Computing

Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Fog Computing:
➨Encryption algorithms and security policies make it more difficult for arbitrary devices to exchange data. Any mistakes in security algorithms lead to exposure of data to the hackers. Other security issues are IP address spoofing, man in the middle attacks, wireless network security etc.
➨To achieve high data consistency in the the fog computing is challenging and requires more efforts.
➨Fog computing will realize global storage concept with infinite size and speed of local storage but data management is a challenge.
➨Trust and authentication are major concerns.
➨Scheduling is complex as tasks can be moved between client devices, fog nodes and back end cloud servers.
➨Power consumption is high in fog nodes compare to centralized cloud architecture.

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