First there were Content Delivery Networks (CDN), that sped up delivery of content to end users with edges around the world. 

Those edges weren't fully utilized and the idea of edge computing came to be. Why not use that extra capacity of the edge nodes for computing? 

But that led to a few problems, like dealing with different hardware, keeping applications in sync, and the like. 

And then came containers, the key to unlock the power of edge computing.

Situation: Your app is vulnerable to a new CVE

security, bandwidth, rapid deployment

One of your developers notices that a new Common Vulnerability and Exposure is relevant to your application since it affects the database you're using. Luckily, the CVE also contains a fix. Your developers apply the fix, test it,  create a new container, and deploy it. 

  • The container ensures the fix only needs to be applied once.
  • Only the layers in the container that have changed need to be transmitted across the network.
  • Orchestration tools like Kubernetes can manage the deployment.

Situation: Your main data center goes down

node independence, resilience, data reliability

Your developers are hard at work preparing for the new release of your software. All of a sudden, no one can reach the computers in the data center. 

  • Did the power go out?
  • Was the connection to the Internet a victim of a construction crew?
  • Did a squirrel eat through a cable?
  • How long are your employees not able to work?
  • More importantly, how will your customers use your application?

Edge nodes running your container continue working. They don't care about the outage at your main data center. Any data that needs to be uploaded can be stored locally until transmission is possible.  Containers save you from one of the two problems, and your company can still make money while the main data center is offline.

  • Edge nodes work when central locations are unavailable.

Situation: Your app has gone viral in one location

scalability, optimized resources, economical

Real time monitoring indicates that your app has gone viral. Is this good or bad? What if the app is heavily used for a few weeks, and then the government of that country bans it? Or, what if the neighboring countries discover your app and it grows bigger?

  • Edge nodes can be added as simply as flipping a switch.
  • Running your application on the node is a simple matter of deploying your container.
  • If usage decreases, you can turn down those nodes.