Fog Computing and Its Role in the Internet of Things

Abstract

Fog computing extends the cloud computing paradigm to the edge of the network, thus enabling a new breed of applications and services. Defining characteristics of the Fog are 1) low latency and location awareness, 2) widespread geographical distribution, 3) mobility, 4) very large number of nodes, 5) predominant role of wireless access, 6) strong presence of streaming and real time applications, and 7) heterogeneity. In this chapter, the authors argue that the above characteristics make the Fog the appropriate platform for a number of critical internet of things (IoT) services and applications, namely connected vehicle, smart grid, smart cities, and in general, wireless sensors and actuators networks (WSANs).