Integrating Cloud, Edge, and IoT

The Internet has transformed from a basic communication network to a universal platform for billions of users, paralleling the rapid development of Cloud computing, which offers scalable infrastructure and services. Advances in mobile connectivity and the Internet of Things (IoT) have facilitated continuous Web access, leading to the emergence of the Continuum of Computing. This paradigm envisions seamless integration of Cloud, Edge, and IoT, dynamically optimizing data processing and service delivery based on latency, privacy, and energy efficiency. This paper presents a reference architecture for the Continuum, demonstrates its feasibility through a proof-of-concept implementation, and discusses its potential for various applications. While challenges remain, the Continuum offers promising directions for pervasive, context-aware, and mobile services.