edge node
compound.compound. a computer or device that sits at the boundary of a network. It connects a local network to the internet or processes data close to where it is being used.
compound. a network device or server located at the boundary between two networks, such as a local area network and the internet. It typically performs functions like data routing, filtering, or local processing to reduce latency.
The edge node processes the data before sending it to the cloud.
By deploying an edge node at the factory site, the company reduced the time it took for sensors to trigger safety alarms.
In a distributed content delivery network, the edge node caches popular media files geographically closer to end-users to minimize bandwidth consumption and improve load times.
A compound of the Old English 'ecg', denoting a sharpened side or border, and the Latin 'nodus', meaning a knot or swelling. The term follows the established architectural nomenclature of graph theory.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Commonly used in the context of cloud computing, IoT (Internet of Things), and networking architecture.
Last updated July 22, 2026