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After a solid decade of pursuing industrial IoT-enabled business process improvement and innovation, the value of the industrial network edge tier within digitally transformed architectures is now widely recognized. Originally viewed as the point where IT and (increasingly) cloud-based applications intersect with the OT environment, the edge functional definition continues to evolve in important areas, such as edge-to-cloud integration, edge compute, and the convergence of IT, OT, and security.
Digitally transformed enterprises have more opportunities to distribute functionality throughout the architecture because IT, cloud-native technologies, and IP-based networking are descending closer to the edge. Enterprise cloud architectures are likewise descending in pursuit of their primary data sources and to overcome the limitations of cloud execution, particularly regarding latency. As this descent and associated technology convergence continues, the role of the various edge components is also evolving. Combined with the expanding capabilities of high-end endpoint devices, including increasingly mobile and autonomous robots and other assets, the choices of where to do what at the industrial IoT edge continue to expand.
Thick Edge = Edge-to-Cloud Integration, Edge Compute, and Cloud Native Architecture
One nuance to this trend lies in the diverging functional emphases for industrial network edge devices as well as careful consideration of where IoT functionality should reside. What ARC calls “thick edge” devices, such as IPCs, gateways, and routers with significant compute and store capabilities, are increasingly focusing their emphasis on edge-to-cloud integration and edge compute.
Analytics, video, machine learning, and similar applications require significant data collection and compute power that makes direct integration with enterprise clouds prohibitive from the perspective of both cost and performance. The resulting escalation in edge compute and store requirements is driving this functionality into the thick edge, including IPCs, edge servers, and industrial IoT gateways and routers.
Industrial IoT gateways, for example, have evolved from their traditional role in serial-to-Ethernet conversion to platforms for IT/OT convergence, edge-to-cloud integration, and edge computing. Container-based application layer protocol conversion is increasingly the norm as standard IP-based networks displace legacy automation interfaces and the need for hardware-based protocol conversion declines. Industrial IoT gateways and routers also increasingly incorporate standard CPUs from ARM or Intel, the Linux OS or derivatives, contain larger amounts of memory, and adopt cloud-native architecture. As a result, the value emphasis in the Industrial IoT gateway and router market has evolved from one based on automation protocol conversion to one more reliant on differentiation via software-enabled functionality and application execution.
Thin Edge = Convergence of IT, OT, and Security
While industrial thick edge devices are focused on edge-to-cloud integration and edge compute, only a certain range of applications can run on an industrial ethernet switch or conventional industrial router due to compute and storage resource constraints. In cases where this capability is available in these thin edge devices, for example the ability to run software containers, it is frequently for a constrained class of applications such as security visibility.
Continued improvements in performance and reliability remain the focus at the thin edge, one that is increasingly accompanied by an emphasis on IT/OT convergence from the perspective of industrial network infrastructure visibility, management, and security. Cybersecurity is now top of mind for most enterprises as operational networks increasingly become targets for cyberattacks. The move to digitize all aspects of the enterprise, including operations, brings with it greater risks from cybersecurity breeches.
The well-documented rash of cyberattacks targeting production operations has fueled the descent of IT-oriented security technologies to the OT environment and consequently escalated the role of IT organizations in securing operations. Cybersecurity is increasingly the realm of the IT department as most OT organizations lack the people, skillsets, and technologies needed to implement enterprise-wide policies or manage sophisticated attacks on digitally transformed architectures. This convergence must be accompanied, however, with respect for the differing requirements and constraints inherent in the OT environment.
Virtually all industrial network infrastructure suppliers are elevating their cybersecurity capabilities in response to these emerging requirements. This response takes the form of integrated offerings from other security business units as well as acquisitions and partnerships with other cybersecurity firms or organizations.
Material for this blog was drawn from ARC’s ongoing coverage of the digital transformation taking place at the industrial network edge. For more information, visit our edge webpage at arcweb.com/technologies/industrial-iot-edge