Edge vs Cloud Computing (Level 3)
This short page outlines the difference between edge and cloud computing and when each is appropriate.
Cloud computing​
- Centralised servers run applications and store data.
- Good for large-scale processing, long-term storage, and central management.
Edge computing​
- Computation happens close to devices: on routers, gateways, or on-device.
- Reduces latency and bandwidth usage; useful when real-time response matters.
Combined architectures​
Many systems use both: edge devices perform immediate tasks while the cloud handles heavy analysis and long-term storage.
Exercise​
- Give two examples where edge computing is better than cloud-only and explain why.