Dew Computing

Cloud computing started assisting users for on-demand availability of computing resources for both storage of data and power of computing without managing the resources. Then evolved sharing of workload through decentralization computing between the cloud and the devices by fog computing and edge computing. In fog computing, nodes are available with higher processing and storage capabilities located nearer to the devices. Data is processed at a faster rate than the centralized cloud processing at the nodes. Edge computing is another paradigm where storage of data and computing is distributed to the nearest location enabling mainly IoT technologies and mobile computing. Edge computing reduces latency and bandwidth problems by avoiding or minimizing distant communications. Companies provide edge computing based on the actual requirement and may vary depending on the position of edges in the architecture.

Sharing of workload is achieved through Fog computing; Computing happens at the edge device in edge computing; Then what is dew computing?

For all these computing, internet is required to continue operations. There are instances where devices lose internet connectivity but still we need to continue operations. With AIoT evolving and being scaled up, there is a necessity to have “Things” to work offline (without internet access) which then triggered new ways of computing in addition to cloud computing.

According to IEEE definition – “Dew computing is an on-premises computer software-hardware organization paradigm in the cloud computing environment where the on-premises computer provides functionality that is independent of cloud services and is also collaborative with cloud services”.

Dew computing can act as an intermediate system between cloud computers and local computer. Without internet connectivity, storage data and services can be accessed. The main limitation of cloud and fog computing is to have permanent internet connectivity. Complimenting fog and edge computing that have major internet dependency, an additional layer, such as dew computing is required to keep applications or browsers active and running. Dew computing may not be completely online but utilize cloud computing and collaborate for data and perform. E.g., OneDrive. Dew computing differentiates itself by providing very less internet dependency, end users proximity, low latency, better performance, better user experience and user control flexibility.

For example, in dew computing, you can have a browser page active and being used without internet access (cloud) with data being available from on-prem computer or a mobile phone. On availability of internet access and hence to cloud, on-prem computer (dew-computer) syncs up with cloud computing for necessary services provided. Hence with dew computing both the cloud computing and on-prem computers potentials are realized. With dew computing, both independency (no internet access) and collaboration to the cloud services are achieved. The dew computer not only acts as the cloud service but also syncs up with the cloud service appropriately in the architecture.

There are different categories of dew computing based on its applications and areas.

1.      Dew – Web: A part of the World Wide Web is duplicated in the local device. This part will synchronize with web once online. E.g., Any web application that runs offline but user can interact and continue working.

2.      Dew – Storage: A part of the storage (or full storage) is copied to the cloud. The folder is available to the user and can be accessed anytime without internet. The contents are synchronized later with the cloud. E.g., Dropbox - available anytime to users but independent of internet connectivity.

3.      Dew – Database: Both the local device and cloud have copies of the same database but one of them is configured as the main database. This will help for creating back up of vice versa.

4.      Dew – Software: The ownership and configuration of the software are provided to the cloud. The user can download the application and can install in any device linked to the user account. E.g., Google Playstore – the model in which user can download the app and install in the mobile.

5.      Dew – Platform: The local device has the software development suite but requires cloud to synchronize for settings and application data. E.g., GitHub – users can do the development activity offline and get synchronized once online or connect to internet only for certain commands.

6.      Dew – Infrastructure: The cloud is provided with the duplicate virtual machine instance of the local device dynamically. E.g., Mobile companies who provide user support to retrieve data if the mobile is lost.

Dew computing acts as a complementary function to cloud computing and does not replace cloud computing. The world may be in a position to reduce internet usage shortly in the future; making it more purposeful and productive. Due to Covid-19 lock-down there is a surge for internet usage and countries are taking steps to manage the surge. Video streaming companies are trying to reduce the quality of the picture to reduce the internet load and some companies provide software updates only during off-peak hours. The dew computer lies very near to the user in the architecture and hence can help users for all digital interactions with less and purposeful internet usage.