Computing Continuum implementation using a FaaS architecture with Repurposed TVBoxes

• Igor de Almeida UNIOESTE
• Rafael Czerniej UNIOESTE
• Guilherme Galante UNIOESTE
• Marcio Oyamada UNIOESTE

Resumo

Integration between different layers in an IoT solution is challenging due to the heterogeneity of hardware and software components, communication infrastructure and protocols. In this paper, we explore the use of Function-as-a-Service to integrate and distribute execution across different layers in an architecture consisting of Edge and Fog devices. We also explore a circular economy solution for e-waste by reusing confiscated TVBoxes as nodes in a Computing Continuum model. The architecture uses a TVBox as a sensing layer, and we evaluate different solutions such as TVBoxes and Raspberry Pis as Edge devices. A x86 server is used as a Fog layer. To evaluate these different solutions, we implemented two case studies involving computer vision tasks: face counting and crowd counting. We analyze the trade-offs in terms of performance, energy consumption and accuracy executing concurrent requests to simulate different workloads. The results show that while Edge devices are effective for single requests, the Fog resources offer better scalability and can be more energy efficient at high concurrency.

Palavras-chave: Performance evaluation, Protocols, Scalability, Computer architecture, Electronic waste, Software, Hardware, Sensors, Servers, Faces, functions-as-a-service, computing continuum, electronic waste, repurposing