Computing Continuum Simulator: A comprehensive framework for continuum architecture evaluation

The Computing Continuum paradigm is essential for meeting the needs of IoT applications that demand real-time processing, reliable connectivity, and low-latency response. Unlike traditional cloud models, Computing Continuum integrates resources across edge, fog, and cloud layers, bringing data processing closer to its source. It is crucial in fields like healthcare, industry, and agriculture, where strict quality requirements have significant economic and social impacts. However, evaluating the performance and reliability of continuum architectures is challenging due to the complexity and high costs of setting up customizable and scalable near-realistic multi-layered environments. To address these challenges, we introduce the Computing Continuum Simulator framework, specifically designed to evaluate the deployment architecture – both physical and logical – of continuum environments. It enables the deployment of large Computing Continuum scenarios, customizing device types, network infrastructure, and custom application setups to accurately simulate and evaluate near real-world conditions. Implemented as a Software as a Service, it minimizes required computational demands on the user-side and integrates seamlessly into DevOps workflows, simplifying deployment, testing, and adoption by software companies, offering a pricing plan to ensure accessibility for various needs. Scalability tests showed the framework maintains stable run times, with different simulation sizes depending on the pricing plan. This consistency underscores the robustness and its suitability for customizable and scalable continuum architecture evaluations.