Cisco’s fog computing – helping bring devices closer to the network in the interests of actionable data

One of the biggest challenges faced by enterprises and people working in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT) is the fact that there are billions and billions of devices in the world, spewing out data by the tonne. So two questions come to mind immediately – how does one record this data and how does one access that data?

This is where Cisco is offering a new service called fog computing. The idea, it says, is transforming the network edge into a distributed computing infrastructure for applications that take advantage of the billions of devices already connected in the IoT.

With the new Cisco IOx capability, (that’s what it is called) customers from all segments and solution providers across industries will be able to develop, manage and run software applications directly on Cisco industrial networked-devices. This will include routers, switches and IP video cameras.

Cisco’s own estimates say that by 2020, over 50 billion devices will be connected. These devices are creating a tidal wave of data that is expensive to move to existing cloud environments for analysis and conversion to useful content.

To better monitor, manage and respond to the massive amount of data generated by IoT, IOx will allow applications to run as close as possible to the data source and create automated responses that drive value.

Here are some examples:

  • Smart Energy Distribution: Energy load balancing applications running on network edge devices that automatically switch to alternative energies like solar and wind– based on energy demand, availability and the lowest price.
  • Smarter Traffic Lights: As a video camera senses an ambulance flashing lights, it can automatically change streetlights to open lanes for the vehicle to pass through traffic. Smart streetlights can help achieve energy savings with intelligent lighting, which only turns on once a sensor identifies movement and switches off as traffic passes.
  • Self-Maintaining Trains: Sensor monitoring on a train’s ball-bearing can detect heat levels, allowing applications to send an automatic alert to the train operator to stop the train at next station for emergency maintenance and avoid potential derailment.
  • Lifesaving Air Vents: Sensors on vents monitor air conditions flowing in and out of mines and automatically change air-flow if conditions become dangerous to miners.

Further, Cisco IOx will bring the open-source Linux operating system and industry-leading Cisco IOS network operating system together in a single networked device, which will allow applications to run and respond instantly to actionable data sensed in an IoE world. The open application environment encourages more developers to bring their own applications (BYOA) and connectivity interfaces (BYOI) at the edge of the network.

Cisco is working with industry leaders to collaborate and develop IOx-based solutions that will ease the deployment and support of the billions of connected devices in IoT.

So, now, with the applications being closer to where actionable data is being generated, customers will easily be able to manage the copious amounts of data that is likely to come out of people, process and things in the Internet of Everything (IoE) – thus deriving more value from existing networks. As a result, companies will be able to become more innovative, agile and efficient in their operations.

In a recent smart grid event – DistribuTECH – Cisco hosted a discussion with industry leaders on the growing need for distributed computing in IoT for managing the smart grid, adding greater automation in process industries and more efficiency in the public sector. This is where it also explained the concept of fog computing.

Cisco IOx capabilities will initially be available in Cisco industrial routers this spring, said the company.

Image Credit: Cisco

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