Edge Computing Patterns for Solution Architects

Edge architecture is not a single pattern applied everywhere. A design for a sensor or inspection robot faces different constraints from one built around a regional network hub or an end-to-end industrial system. Edge Computing Patterns for Solution Architects gives those choices a practical framework, connecting edge concepts to the deployment settings where architects need to make them work.

Ashok Iyengar and Joseph Pearson move from foundational terminology to architectural archetypes and industry scenarios, with attention to the interplay between devices, networks, data, cloud services, and operations.

Start with the problem space

The opening chapters clarify what “the edge” can mean in different contexts, how edge and cloud approaches relate, and why deployment decisions depend on where compute and services are placed. They also introduce edge components and the functional and non-functional requirements that influence a design.

Compare three architectural patterns

The book develops core edge, network edge, and end-to-end edge architectures. Rather than presenting one universal blueprint, it uses these archetypes to help readers reason about different operating conditions and solution needs. Examples span manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and campus networks.

Follow the data—and the constraints

Edge decisions are shaped by more than compute location. The authors discuss data storage and management, encryption, connectivity, network traffic, machine learning, and the practical realities of operating distributed systems. These topics bring attention to trade-offs that can be easy to overlook when a design is considered only from the cloud inward.

For architects working across distributed environments

This book is written for solution and enterprise architects, infrastructure leaders, and SRE professionals who have a cloud-computing foundation and are involved in planning edge solutions. It offers a structured way to compare architecture patterns and connect technical choices with real-world settings.

For readers assessing where an application should run—and what must surround it to operate reliably—this is a focused guide to the architectural questions behind edge computing.