VMware Edge Compute Stack is an Edge-optimized runtime and orchestration platform for frictionless management of Edge apps and infrastructure across many sites with limited resources. The Edge-optimized runtime is managed by VMware Edge Cloud Orchestrator. It features a pull-based architecture which works best with many Edge sites with varying levels of connectivity (similar to how a smartphone updates itself). Integrated telemetry in the Orchestrator service provides visibility into applications and traffic at the Edge.

VMware Edge Compute Stack service combines VMware's industry leading virtualization technology with the efficiency of GitOps to power your Edge workloads at scale, irrespective of network connectivity. It provides a secure, performant, deterministic way to deploy hundreds to thousands of Edges with simplicity.

The Edge Compute Stack service is designed for Edge devices enhanced with GitOps workflows for deterministic and declarative management through a cloud control plane. With this service, you can update your entire Edge site automatically, including infrastructure and applications. This can be achieved by updating manifest files in a Git repository with the desired state for their fleet of devices connected to it. When connected to the network, Edge hosts connect to the repository and enact the desired state, allowing these hosts to ensure that the Edge site remains as desired until a new version of the manifest files are made available for them to use.

Objectives

  • Allows Edge locations to aggregate Edge functions by running consolidated, containerized, and virtual machine based workloads on a small footprint.

  • Defines every aspect of your Edge location through code and keeps the Edge site running as expected throughout its life-cycle.

  • Simplifies workload management by bringing zero touch provisioning and DevOps best practices to your Edge fleet.

  • Eliminates bottlenecks and inefficiencies in your existing Edge processes.

  • Creates the foundation for strong communication and feedback between application teams and Edge infrastructure management teams.

  • Deploys small form factor, ruggedized devices that have intermittent network connectivity.

  • Provides complete benefits of desired state configuration to define both your infrastructure and applications, and use Orchestrator to scale it across thousands of devices.

  • Supports Day 2 operations for the Edge and helps you to rapidly patch, upgrade, and secure thousands of devices.

  • Automates application recovery with self-healing Edge nodes when outages occur.

  • Aligns your Edge deployments into existing DevOps workflows that succeed in the data center, while also providing flexibility for each site.

Benefits

The following roles can benefit most from using the VMware Edge Compute Stack service:

  • Edge Infrastructure Admin - The Edge infrastructure administrator or central IT team can use the Edge Compute Stack service to manage their Edge fleet and provide the operating environment to help Edge application developers succeed.

  • Edge Site Worker - On-site employees and contractors can effectively use the Edge Compute Stack service to solve customer and business problems. Plug-and-play power and networking brings up the device and makes it ready for centrally managed configuration.

  • Application Owners / DevOps - Application Owners can develop, install, and support the applications that are used to run the connected devices or provide business value. The Edge Compute Stack service reduces the time to deploy, patch, and upgrade apps on Edge devices. It also provides support for both containerized and virtual machine based workloads.