Manage and automate applications at the edge

Edge devices support a broad range of applications, from straightforward business applications to sophisticated AI-driven analytics. If edge computing is used effectively, it can minimize connectivity issues, reduce bandwidth, and improve response times. Automating applications at the edge streamlines processing data locally, reducing your reliance on a central datacenter.

This approach meets the critical needs of modern applications that require near-real-time analytics and decision-making capabilities. However, there are many challenges to edge device management. We will examine those challenges and their solutions in this article, as well as how the Red Hat® Edge portfolio can help make it easier. 

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Visual inspection and point-of-sale systems are a few of many applications that rely on local data analysis to make immediate responses in real-time.

The ideal management of edge applications involves near-real-time data processing and decision-making capabilities. This allows for immediate actions based on local data analysis—critical for applications that require swift responses, such as autonomous vehicles and emergency health services.

Edge devices are often located in inaccessible or widespread areas which makes remote device management essential. This means issuing updates, monitoring, and troubleshooting from a central location, which reduces the need for physical access and cuts down operational costs and time.

Examples of devices that run at the network edge include:

• Network devices such as switches and routers with computing capabilities.
• Utility devices such as smart meters (electricity, water, gas).
• Industrial devices such as sensors and actuators.
• Retail devices such as point of sale (POS) systems.
• Automated guided vehicles such as drones and autonomous vehicles.
• Advertising devices such as digital signage and kiosks.
• Facility devices such as security cameras and presence detection.

These devices (and more) facilitate improved efficiency and unlock new services by processing data locally.

Edge device management has different challenges from managing devices at the core datacenter or central cloud environments. It requires different solutions and workflows to be effective. Here are a few of the challenges, along with ways to approach them:

Heterogeneous infrastructure

Managing a diverse and heterogeneous infrastructure (infrastructure made up of non-uniform devices) at the edge impacts both application performance and security. By bringing a heterogeneous environment under a common management strategy, organizations can improve the reliability of edge computing applications, even in the face of fluctuating conditions and resources.

Examples of highly distributed heterogeneous environments include:

• Varying hardware capabilities across devices, from edge servers to low-power IoT devices.
• Different operating systems and software versions deployed across edge devices.
• Diverse network connectivity options, including wired, wireless, and cellular.

Security vulnerabilities

Security challenges at the edge include data privacy concerns and the difficulty of implementing consistent security policies across numerous devices. The dispersed nature of edge computing environments complicates the enforcement of uniform security measures, leading to potential vulnerabilities. Addressing these security risks requires a strategy that accommodates the unique characteristics of edge computing, focusing on adaptable and scalable security solutions that can be applied across a wide range of devices and contexts.

Examples of edge security challenges include:

• Ensuring data encryption both in transit and at rest on devices that may have limited processing power.
• Implementing consistent security policies across a vast number of devices with different capabilities and operating systems.
• Managing and protecting devices located in remote or inaccessible areas.

Intermittent connectivity

Intermittent connectivity complicates updates and data synchronization. The fluctuating nature of connectivity, especially in remote or highly mobile environments, requires solutions that can accommodate data transmission and processing during offline periods.

Challenges posed by intermittent connectivity include:

• Delayed updates and patches for security and software due to lack of continuous internet access.
• Inconsistent data transmission, leading to gaps in data collection and analysis.
• Difficulty in remote management and troubleshooting of devices when connectivity is lost.

Limited resources

Limited IT staff and computing resources at edge locations make it difficult to deploy and manage applications effectively. These resource constraints can slow down the introduction of new services, hinder the ability to perform timely updates, and complicate the overall management of edge infrastructure. Addressing these challenges requires solutions that use automation and remote management capabilities, allowing for more efficient use of available resources.

Examples of limited resources impacting edge computing include:

• Insufficient IT staff available to manage and maintain a large number of distributed edge devices, which causes potential delays in deployment and troubleshooting.
• Scarce network bandwidth at remote locations, hindering the efficient transmission of large volumes of data to central servers or the cloud for processing.

The versatility of edge computing combined with varying edge environments means you must carefully plan your edge computing management choices. Fortunately, there are familiar tools and processes that can make this easier.

Standardized infrastructure

A standardized infrastructure will help cover all your bases when it comes to security, consistency, and simplicity. It will help IT teams use their time efficiently. This uniform connected platform will grant throughout the entire hybrid cloud: on-premise, across public and private clouds, and at the edge.

Containerization

Containerization is a pivotal solution in standardized infrastructure for packaging applications alongside their dependencies. This technology puts the application in a container to isolate it from the host system and make it work more uniformly, regardless of the underlying infrastructure or device. This eases deployment and scaling challenges across varied environments.

Orchestration

In order to manage these containers, an orchestration solution is required. Orchestration tools focus on container efficiency and reliability. These tools automate the deployment, scaling, and management of containers, allowing sophisticated application architectures to respond to the dynamic needs of the business while maintaining resource optimization and operational efficiency.

Automation

For a system of orchestration tools to run smoothly, you need an automation solution. Automation platforms enhance efficiency by streamlining the deployment, management, and scaling of applications. By automating routine tasks and reducing the likelihood of human error, these platforms facilitate a more resilient and agile application infrastructure. This helps organizations adapt swiftly to new business demands and opportunities while maintaining high standards of service delivery and security.

Red Hat edge solutions is Red Hat’s overall portfolio approach to the edge computing market.

We support organizations as they deploy distributed compute, network, and storage capabilities to extend applications outside of their core datacenter or cloud environments, locating them closer to end users, service consumption, or systems that generate data. Edge computing with Red Hat helps customers deploy and manage applications anywhere from core to cloud to the edge.

Edge computing solves complex business problems across multiple industries by extending our hybrid cloud capabilities and our partner ecosystem across environments. Businesses benefit from edge computing by responding to changing market conditions quickly and in real time, creating differentiated offerings and improving their operational outcomes.

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform

Red Hat Ansible® Automation Platform brings a unified automation experience across your cloud, datacenter, and edge, to help organizations orchestrate their diverse operational environments. This single, agentless automation tool standardizes configurations, policies, deployments, and compliance, and improves visibility, predictability, and repeatability.

With Ansible Automation Platform, developers gain a common platform for developing and deploying automation scenarios, establishing consistent management of edge environments and applications—even in remote locations with sporadic network connectivity. Ansible Automation Platform's interoperability avoids vendor lock-in, which helps you keep your options open.

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