Smart Manufacturing

CHAPTER 10Networking for Mobile Edge Computing

Jeff Little

Introduction

Smart Manufacturing is powered by mobile computing. Without mobile technology, Smart Manufacturing would not be practical. Mobile devices are the platforms by which manufacturing workers and managers can connect easily to the Cloud. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) generates massive amounts of data with connected devices. By combining mobile's ability to provide networks with the data generated by the IIoT, manufacturers and distributors have powerful new sources of information to improve operations and eliminate paper-based practices.

In this chapter, you will be introduced to modern networking. The chapter covers basic networking architecture concepts and introduces you to the extensive networking vocabulary. At the end of this chapter, you should be able to discuss, at a high level, the capabilities and required features of the Edge networks needed to support Mobile and Edge Computing with network engineers and IT support personnel. At the end of this chapter is a list of sources where additional information can be found about network design, implementation, deployment, and maintenance. Finally, a list of commonly used acronyms is provided.

Brief History of Networking

Mobile communications starts with analog radio telephony. Mobile technology is usually designated by the number of the generation, or XG, number; thus 4G or 5G. The first mobile communications is designated as 0G and generally ...