Glossary of terms

Cloudlet

Definition

A cloudlet is a small-scale, localized data center or cloud computing infrastructure located at the edge of the network, typically closer to end-users and mobile devices. It serves as an intermediate layer between mobile devices and the central cloud, providing low-latency access to computing resources and services.

Main features of cloudlets

1. Proximity: Cloudlets are deployed close to end-users, reducing network latency and improving response times.

2. Resource-rich: They offer significant computing power, storage, and network resources compared to mobile devices.

3. Low latency: Due to their proximity, cloudlets provide faster access to computing resources than distant cloud data centers.

4. Offloading capabilities: They allow mobile devices to offload computation-intensive tasks, conserving battery life and improving performance.

5. Virtualization: Cloudlets use virtualization technologies to create isolated environments for different applications and users.

6. Mobility support: They can handle the mobility of users and devices, ensuring seamless service continuity.

7. Context awareness: Cloudlets can adapt to local conditions and user contexts for improved service delivery.

8. Scalability: They can scale resources up or down based on demand, similar to cloud computing.

Scope of cloudlets

1. Edge computing: Cloudlets are a key component in edge computing architectures, bringing computing resources closer to the data source and users.

2. Mobile cloud computing: They enhance mobile applications by providing nearby computing resources for offloading tasks.

3. Internet of Things (IoT): Cloudlets can process and analyze data from IoT devices locally, reducing the need for constant communication with the central cloud.

4. Augmented and Virtual Reality: They support low-latency processing for AR/VR applications, improving user experience.

5. Smart cities and urban computing: Cloudlets can be deployed throughout cities to support various smart city applications and services.

6. Tactical and emergency response: They can provide localized computing resources in areas with limited or unreliable network connectivity.

7. Content delivery: Cloudlets can cache and serve content locally, reducing bandwidth usage and improving delivery speeds.

8. Privacy and security: By processing sensitive data locally, cloudlets can help address privacy concerns and comply with data localization requirements.

9. 5G and beyond: Cloudlets play a crucial role in supporting the low-latency requirements of 5G and future network technologies.

10. Industry 4.0: They support real-time data processing and analysis for industrial IoT applications and smart manufacturing.

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