With LF Edge, the Linux Foundation is working on an open framework for edge computing that is independent of the hardware, chipset, cloud or operating system being used.
The Linux Foundation is the non-profit organization that manages the Linux operating system, as well as several other enterprise-oriented open source projects. With the announcement of LF Edge, the Foundation is now focusing on the edge of the network, where data processing is done locally to reduce latency. If the cloud is the brain, then edge computing is the nervous system of the Internet of Things.
While many of the same technologies are basically used in the cloud, some specialized systems are required to process workloads that are unique at the edge and IoT. Think of edge servers that process some of the data locally to take advantage of low latency, while other data is sent to a central data center for storage or further processing.
Fragmentation
The edge market is still young and developing. This inevitably leads to fragmentation. With LF Edge, the Linux Foundation wants to offer a standardized open family work that consolidates existing and new stacks.
Today’s edge market is highly fragmented, with multiple patented stacks for each public cloud, it sounds in a blog post. Each application and hardware manufacturer must certify for individual cloud platforms such as AWS and Microsoft Azure. The open source market for edge is also currently fragmented, with a proliferation of groups working towards similar goals in silos.
Independent
The Linux Foundation sees the independence of hardware and cloud as an important advantage for the open framework. LF Edge is well positioned to collaborate between standard agencies and consortia (e.g. IIC, AECC, OEC, TIP) by developing code that complements existing industry specifications, according to the organization. The project will also complement existing ecosystems, such as AWS and Azure, by introducing standard APIs.
LF Edge consists of five anchor projects. On the one hand the existing projects Akraino Edge Stack, EdgeX Foundry and Open Glossary of Edge Computing. On the other hand, two new projects: Home Edge Project and Project EVE.
Related: Edge computing is the nervous system of the Internet of Things
This news article was automatically translated from Dutch to give Techzine.eu a head start. All news articles after September 1, 2019 are written in native English and NOT translated. All our background stories are written in native English as well. For more information read our launch article.