Edge Computing Architecture Patterns
Introduction
When Netflix serves 4K video to your device with sub-50ms latency, or when Tesla’s Autopilot processes sensor data in real-time, they’re leveraging edge computing—pushing computation from centralized data centers to the network periphery. This isn’t just about reducing latency; it’s about fundamentally rethinking where computation happens.
Why Edge Computing Matters
Traditional cloud architectures centralize everything. Your smart home device sends data 2,000 miles to a data center, which processes it and sends commands back. That round trip takes 80-120ms minimum—too slow for autonomous vehicles or augmented reality. Edge computing solves this by processing data where it’s generated.
