Carl is the CTO and cofounder of Avassa, where he focuses on creating an edge control plane that application teams will appreciate. As enterprises navigate the complex landscape of software development, the rise of internal developer platforms (IDPs) has offered a streamlined approach to managing applications. These platforms enable developers to take control of deployment, configuration, and scalability, traditionally cumbersome tasks shared with infrastructure teams.
The growth of open-source and commercial IDPs has allowed large companies to experiment with these platforms and integrate them into their cloud footprint. Simultaneously, businesses are exploring edge infrastructure as an extension to their cloud investments. The edge provides benefits such as enhanced data analysis capabilities and quicker application response times. To fully leverage the edge as part of the cloud, it is vital to extend the capabilities of IDPs to cover edge infrastructure.
Deploying and managing applications at the edge requires a unique approach compared to cloud management. Factors like site-specific deployment targeting, configuration needs, and handling data in less secure environments add complexity. Automating the management of edge applications through an IDP can simplify these processes and provide developers with a familiar experience across both cloud and edge environments, including automated secrets management and site-specific configurations.
Integrating an IDP with edge infrastructure involves connecting multiple sites with limited compute power per location and requires seamless integration with existing systems for deployment and monitoring purposes. The concept of platform engineering emphasizes operational automation to eliminate manual steps and streamline infrastructure operations. Extending an IDP to the edge necessitates a thorough integration with the edge resource layer’s APIs to ensure automated deployment and monitoring across both cloud and edge environments.
By extending IDPs to encompass edge infrastructure, enterprises can enhance their operational efficiency and developer productivity in both cloud and edge computing environments. This evolution marks a significant advancement in automated operations and system integration, underscoring the shift towards seamless management of applications across diverse environments. The integration of IDPs with edge infrastructure highlights the ongoing effort to simplify operational workflows for developers and tackle the complexities of traditional processes in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
