International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET International Open Access, Monthly, Peer Reviewed, Reputed Journal ISSN (online): 2581-3048

Impact Factor (2025): 6.9

DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET

A Comparative Study of Fog and Edge Computing Architecture: Exploring Potential, Challenges, and Future Directions

DeepakResearch Scholar, Department of Computer Science, Institute of Engineering & Technology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Khandari, Agra, IndiaDr. Manoj Kumar UpadhyayProfessor, Department of Computer Science, Institute of Engineering & Technology, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Khandari, Agra, India

Vol 10 No 3 (2026): Volume 10, Issue 3, March 2026 | Pages: 233-256

International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology

OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 31-03-2026

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Abstract

Fog and edge computing have developed into transformative systems that solve the needs for fog and edge computing because data-driven applications experienced rapid expansion and users required fast network connections with high data transfer rates. The new computing methods create a direct link between people who use devices and cloud services which base their operations on centralized systems to deliver 5G and IoT and augmented reality and vehicle-to-vehicle communication technologies. The new computing paradigms offer better performance than traditional cloud systems because they combine low latency with mobility features and location tracking capabilities which enable instant access to mission-critical services. The paper maps existing research to the real-world needs of fog and edge infrastructure and platforms to create a complete evaluation of technology optimization and system integration. The paper compares fog and edge computing systems through a research assessment which examines their current opportunities and challenges and identifies future research pathways. The study investigates network optimization and resource allocation and network connectivity and communication and security and privacy and data management and system complexity as key challenges which exist within fog computing environments. The paper identifies essential research shortcomings in fog and edge computing research and recommends future research paths to develop these technologies by focusing on their system integration and interoperability and their capability to power forthcoming intelligent distributed systems. The conclusion emphasizes that while fog and edge computing are not replacements for cloud computing the two technologies serve as vital elements which enhance cloud services through their ability to process data locally and their capacity to enhance service delivery.

Keywords

Fog computing, edge computing, Internet of Things, low latency, scalability, security, resource management, data management


Citation of this Article

Deepak, & Dr. Manoj Kumar Upadhyay. (2026). A Comparative Study of Fog and Edge Computing Architecture: Exploring Potential, Challenges, and Future Directions. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, 10(3), 233-256. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2026.103034

Licence Copyright (c) 2026 International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology creative common licence This work is licensed under Creative common Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 Internation Licence
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