During the last few decades, computing models have fluctuated between drives toward centralization and distribution. At first, all compute horsepower was centralized on a mainframe, user terminals had no ability to operate independently, and networking was very simple. Then, client-server architectures took over, and corporate data centers were filled with racks full of servers that weren’t much different than the clients they served. Next, those servers were virtualized to improve utilization and manageability. Finally, the bulk of those VMs were centralized in the cloud for similar reasons. Now, we are facing demand for a new hybrid model of cloud operation – distributed edge computing, sometimes known as Industry 4.0 or hybrid edge.

This shift is driven by the incredible growth in the number of networked devices, the amount of data they produce, and advances in our ability to process this data. A new hybrid edge computing model has emerged. This book aims to demystify this emerging computing model, particularly through the lens of architecting distributed edge applications in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud.

Distributed edge computing allows us to process data and make decisions closer to its source. This approach reduces response time, lowers cost, and supports new use cases. AWS, with its world-class cloud and history of innovation, is uniquely positioned to help you capitalize on the strengths of centralization and distribution.

AWS services facilitate the deployment, management, and hosting of application components wherever they are needed. The AWS strategy is about reimagining what computing can look like when it is not constrained by physical location.

Throughout this book, we will explore offerings such as AWS Outposts, AWS Snow Family, AWS Wavelength, AWS Local Zones, AWS IoT Greengrass, and Amazon CloudFront. Whether it’s processing data on a remote oil rig, processing and distributing live video, supporting the latency requirements of augmented reality, or running a full-scale data center in a disconnected environment, AWS has a solution.

After covering the what and why of distributed edge computing, this book explains the how – with hands-on exercises and an example of Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) that you can use as a starting point for your own applications.