Edge computing allows devices in remote locations to process data at the “edge” of the network, either by the device or a local server. And when data needs to be processed in the central datacenter, only the most important data is transmitted, thereby minimizing latency. Businesses use edge computing to improve the response times of their remote devices and to get richer, more timely insights from device data. Edge computing makes real-time computing possible in locations where it would not normally be feasible and reduces bottlenecking on the networks and datacenters that support edge devices.
Two examples of Edge computing services in Microsoft Azure are the following:
- Azure SQL Edge, a robust Internet of Things (IoT) database for edge computing, combines capabilities such as data streaming and time series with built-in machine learning and graph features.
- Azure Private Multi-Access Edge Compute (MEC), which utilizes Azure Edge Zones. There are three Azure services, namely Edge Zones, Private Edge Zones, and Edge Zones With Carrier, which cover multiple edge computing types and use cases. Azure Edge Zones are connected to Azure’s own network. They run in existing Microsoft network edge locations.
Source
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/resources/cloud-computing-dictionary/what-is-edge-computing/
