Edge Infrastructure

This document outlines the edge computing infrastructure for the AI Agent Orchestration Platform.

Overview

Edge infrastructure enables running the platform or components of it on edge devices, closer to data sources, with support for offline operation, reduced latency, and privacy-preserving computation. This document covers the architecture, deployment, synchronization, and management of edge infrastructure.

Edge Architecture

The edge architecture consists of several components:

1. Edge Runtime: Lightweight execution environment for agents
2. Edge Storage: Local data storage for offline operation
3. Sync Manager: Synchronization with central platform
4. Edge Monitoring: Resource and health monitoring
5. Edge Security: Security measures for edge devices

Note: This is a placeholder for an edge architecture diagram. The actual diagram should be created and added to the project.

Edge Runtime

Lightweight Orchestrator

The edge runtime includes a lightweight orchestrator:

• Minimal Dependencies: Reduced footprint for resource-constrained devices
• Workflow Execution: Execute workflows locally
• Agent Management: Run agents in isolated environments
• Resource Management: Control CPU, memory, and storage usage
• Offline Operation: Function without connectivity

Example edge runtime configuration:

# edge-config.yaml
runtime:
  mode: edge
  max_concurrent_workflows: 5
  max_memory_usage: 512MB
  max_storage_usage: 2GB
  offline_mode: auto  # auto, always, never

sync:
  central_url: https://central.meta-agent.example.com
  sync_interval: 300  # seconds
  sync_on_connect: true
  conflict_resolution: last_modified  # last_modified, central_wins, edge_wins, manual

storage:
  type: sqlite
  path: /data/meta-agent-edge.db
  backup_interval: 86400  # seconds

security:
  encryption_enabled: true
  key_rotation_interval: 2592000  # seconds (30 days)
  secure_boot: true
  attestation_enabled: true

monitoring:
  metrics_collection: true
  metrics_retention: 604800  # seconds (7 days)
  health_check_interval: 60  # seconds
  resource_check_interval: 300  # seconds

Optimized Agents

Edge-optimized agents are designed for resource-constrained environments:

• Quantized Models: Reduced size ML models
• Efficient Algorithms: Optimized for edge hardware
• Minimal Dependencies: Reduced library requirements
• Resource Awareness: Adapt to available resources

Example edge agent configuration:

# edge-agent-config.yaml
name: text-classifier-lite
version: 1.0.0
type: edge

resources:
  max_memory: 128MB
  max_cpu: 1.0
  max_storage: 100MB

model:
  type: quantized
  format: onnx
  path: /models/text-classifier-lite.onnx
  precision: int8

runtime:
  executor: onnxruntime
  threads: 2
  acceleration: cpu  # cpu, gpu, npu

input:
  format: text
  max_length: 512

output:
  format: json
  classes:
    - positive
    - negative
    - neutral

Edge Storage

SQLite Database

The edge environment uses SQLite for local storage:

• Lightweight: Minimal resource requirements
• Self-contained: Single file database
• Reliable: ACID-compliant transactions
• Offline-capable: No external dependencies

Example SQLite schema:

-- Edge database schema

-- Workflows
CREATE TABLE workflows (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    name TEXT NOT NULL,
    definition TEXT NOT NULL,
    version TEXT NOT NULL,
    created_at TEXT NOT NULL,
    updated_at TEXT NOT NULL,
    sync_status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pending',
    last_synced_at TEXT
);

-- Workflow executions
CREATE TABLE workflow_executions (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    workflow_id TEXT NOT NULL,
    status TEXT NOT NULL,
    input TEXT,
    output TEXT,
    started_at TEXT NOT NULL,
    completed_at TEXT,
    sync_status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pending',
    last_synced_at TEXT,
    FOREIGN KEY (workflow_id) REFERENCES workflows(id)
);

-- Agents
CREATE TABLE agents (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    name TEXT NOT NULL,
    type TEXT NOT NULL,
    config TEXT NOT NULL,
    version TEXT NOT NULL,
    created_at TEXT NOT NULL,
    updated_at TEXT NOT NULL,
    sync_status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pending',
    last_synced_at TEXT
);

-- Agent executions
CREATE TABLE agent_executions (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    agent_id TEXT NOT NULL,
    workflow_execution_id TEXT NOT NULL,
    status TEXT NOT NULL,
    input TEXT,
    output TEXT,
    started_at TEXT NOT NULL,
    completed_at TEXT,
    metrics TEXT,
    sync_status TEXT NOT NULL DEFAULT 'pending',
    last_synced_at TEXT,
    FOREIGN KEY (agent_id) REFERENCES agents(id),
    FOREIGN KEY (workflow_execution_id) REFERENCES workflow_executions(id)
);

-- Sync log
CREATE TABLE sync_log (
    id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
    operation TEXT NOT NULL,
    entity_type TEXT NOT NULL,
    entity_id TEXT NOT NULL,
    status TEXT NOT NULL,
    timestamp TEXT NOT NULL,
    details TEXT
);

-- Create indexes
CREATE INDEX idx_workflows_sync_status ON workflows(sync_status);
CREATE INDEX idx_workflow_executions_workflow_id ON workflow_executions(workflow_id);
CREATE INDEX idx_workflow_executions_sync_status ON workflow_executions(sync_status);
CREATE INDEX idx_agent_executions_agent_id ON agent_executions(agent_id);
CREATE INDEX idx_agent_executions_workflow_execution_id ON agent_executions(workflow_execution_id);
CREATE INDEX idx_agent_executions_sync_status ON agent_executions(sync_status);

File Storage

The edge environment includes file storage for:

• Agent Models: ML model files
• Input/Output Data: Data processed by agents
• Temporary Files: Scratch space for processing
• Logs: Local log storage

Synchronization

Sync Manager

The Sync Manager handles data synchronization:

• Bi-directional Sync: Sync data in both directions
• Conflict Resolution: Handle conflicting changes
• Bandwidth Optimization: Minimize data transfer
• Resumable Sync: Handle interrupted connections
• Selective Sync: Prioritize critical data

Example sync configuration:

# sync-config.yaml
sync:
  entities:
    workflows:
      priority: high
      conflict_resolution: central_wins
      batch_size: 50
    workflow_executions:
      priority: medium
      conflict_resolution: last_modified
      batch_size: 100
    agents:
      priority: high
      conflict_resolution: central_wins
      batch_size: 20
    agent_executions:
      priority: low
      conflict_resolution: last_modified
      batch_size: 200

  schedule:
    workflows: 300  # seconds
    workflow_executions: 600  # seconds
    agents: 3600  # seconds
    agent_executions: 1800  # seconds

  retry:
    max_attempts: 5
    initial_delay: 30  # seconds
    max_delay: 3600  # seconds
    backoff_factor: 2.0

  network:
    max_bandwidth: 1MB  # per second
    compression: true
    encryption: true

Conflict Resolution

Strategies for resolving synchronization conflicts:

• Timestamp-based: Use last modified time
• Central Wins: Central platform changes take precedence
• Edge Wins: Edge changes take precedence
• Merge: Attempt to merge changes
• Manual Resolution: Flag for human intervention

Edge Deployment

Deployment Methods

Methods for deploying to edge devices:

• Container-based: Docker containers for isolated deployment
• Native Installation: Direct installation on edge device
• WebAssembly: Browser or WASM runtime deployment
• Custom Firmware: Embedded in device firmware

Deployment Process

The edge deployment process:

1. Preparation: Package edge components
2. Distribution: Transfer to edge devices
3. Installation: Install on edge devices
4. Configuration: Configure for specific device
5. Activation: Start edge services
6. Verification: Verify successful deployment

Example edge deployment script:

#!/bin/bash
# edge_deploy.sh - Deploy to edge device

TARGET_IP=$1
TARGET_USER=$2
EDGE_PACKAGE="meta-agent-edge.tar.gz"

if [ -z "$TARGET_IP" ] || [ -z "$TARGET_USER" ]; then
  echo "Usage: ./edge_deploy.sh [target_ip] [target_user]"
  echo "Example: ./edge_deploy.sh 192.168.1.100 admin"
  exit 1
fi

echo "Preparing edge package..."
./build_edge_package.sh

echo "Deploying to edge device at $TARGET_IP..."
scp $EDGE_PACKAGE $TARGET_USER@$TARGET_IP:/tmp/

echo "Installing on edge device..."
ssh $TARGET_USER@$TARGET_IP << EOF
  mkdir -p /opt/meta-agent
  tar -xzf /tmp/$EDGE_PACKAGE -C /opt/meta-agent
  cd /opt/meta-agent
  ./setup.sh
  systemctl enable meta-agent-edge
  systemctl start meta-agent-edge
EOF

echo "Verifying deployment..."
ssh $TARGET_USER@$TARGET_IP "systemctl status meta-agent-edge"

echo "Edge deployment complete!"

Update Mechanism

Mechanism for updating edge deployments:

• Over-the-Air Updates: Remote update capability
• Delta Updates: Send only changed components
• Rollback Support: Revert to previous version if issues
• Update Verification: Verify update integrity
• Staged Rollout: Deploy to subset of devices first

Edge Monitoring

Resource Monitoring

Monitor edge device resources:

• CPU Usage: Track processor utilization
• Memory Usage: Monitor RAM consumption
• Storage Usage: Track disk space
• Network Usage: Monitor bandwidth consumption
• Battery Level: Track battery status (if applicable)

Health Monitoring

Monitor edge deployment health:

• Service Status: Check if services are running
• Connectivity: Monitor connection to central platform
• Sync Status: Track synchronization status
• Error Rates: Monitor error frequency
• Performance Metrics: Track execution times

Example edge monitoring configuration:

# edge-monitoring.yaml
metrics:
  collection_interval: 60  # seconds
  buffer_size: 1000  # entries
  upload_interval: 3600  # seconds
  upload_threshold: 800  # entries

health_checks:
  - name: service_status
    interval: 300  # seconds
    command: "systemctl is-active meta-agent-edge"
    timeout: 5  # seconds

  - name: database_check
    interval: 600  # seconds
    command: "sqlite3 /data/meta-agent-edge.db 'SELECT 1;'"
    timeout: 5  # seconds

  - name: sync_check
    interval: 1800  # seconds
    command: "curl -s http://localhost:8000/sync/status | grep -q 'success'"
    timeout: 10  # seconds

alerts:
  - name: high_cpu
    condition: "cpu_usage > 90 for 5m"
    actions:
      - log
      - notify_central

  - name: low_storage
    condition: "free_storage < 100MB"
    actions:
      - log
      - notify_central
      - cleanup_temp

  - name: sync_failure
    condition: "sync_failures > 3"
    actions:
      - log
      - notify_central
      - restart_sync

Edge Security

Security Measures

Security measures for edge deployments:

• Secure Boot: Verify integrity of boot process
• Encrypted Storage: Protect data at rest
• Secure Communication: Encrypt data in transit
• Access Control: Restrict device access
• Remote Attestation: Verify device integrity
• Tamper Detection: Detect physical tampering
• Secure Updates: Verify update authenticity

Example edge security configuration:

# edge-security.yaml
encryption:
  storage:
    enabled: true
    algorithm: AES-256-GCM
    key_rotation_days: 30

  communication:
    enabled: true
    protocol: TLS 1.3
    certificate_path: /etc/meta-agent/certs/device.crt
    key_path: /etc/meta-agent/certs/device.key
    ca_path: /etc/meta-agent/certs/ca.crt

access_control:
  authentication:
    method: certificate
    token_expiry: 86400  # seconds

  authorization:
    default_policy: deny
    roles:
      - name: admin
        permissions: [read, write, execute, configure]
      - name: operator
        permissions: [read, execute]
      - name: monitor
        permissions: [read]

attestation:
  enabled: true
  method: remote
  interval: 86400  # seconds
  server: https://attestation.meta-agent.example.com

tamper_detection:
  enabled: true
  checks:
    - boot_integrity
    - filesystem_integrity
    - hardware_integrity
  interval: 3600  # seconds
  response: lockdown  # lockdown, alert, log

Edge Device Management

Device Provisioning

Process for provisioning new edge devices:

1. Registration: Register device with central platform
2. Authentication: Establish device identity
3. Configuration: Apply device-specific configuration
4. Deployment: Deploy edge components
5. Activation: Activate device services

Device Lifecycle Management

Manage the lifecycle of edge devices:

• Inventory: Track all edge devices
• Monitoring: Monitor device health and status
• Updates: Manage software updates
• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and fix issues
• Decommissioning: Securely retire devices

Example device management script:

#!/bin/bash
# manage_edge_device.sh - Manage edge device lifecycle

ACTION=$1
DEVICE_ID=$2

if [ -z "$ACTION" ] || [ -z "$DEVICE_ID" ]; then
  echo "Usage: ./manage_edge_device.sh [action] [device_id]"
  echo "Actions: provision, update, restart, decommission"
  exit 1
fi

DEVICE_INFO=$(curl -s "https://central.meta-agent.example.com/api/devices/$DEVICE_ID")
DEVICE_IP=$(echo $DEVICE_INFO | jq -r '.ip_address')
DEVICE_USER=$(echo $DEVICE_INFO | jq -r '.ssh_user')

case $ACTION in
  provision)
    echo "Provisioning device $DEVICE_ID..."
    ./edge_deploy.sh $DEVICE_IP $DEVICE_USER
    curl -X POST "https://central.meta-agent.example.com/api/devices/$DEVICE_ID/provision"
    ;;

  update)
    echo "Updating device $DEVICE_ID..."
    ssh $DEVICE_USER@$DEVICE_IP "cd /opt/meta-agent && ./update.sh"
    curl -X POST "https://central.meta-agent.example.com/api/devices/$DEVICE_ID/update"
    ;;

  restart)
    echo "Restarting device $DEVICE_ID..."
    ssh $DEVICE_USER@$DEVICE_IP "systemctl restart meta-agent-edge"
    curl -X POST "https://central.meta-agent.example.com/api/devices/$DEVICE_ID/restart"
    ;;

  decommission)
    echo "Decommissioning device $DEVICE_ID..."
    ssh $DEVICE_USER@$DEVICE_IP "cd /opt/meta-agent && ./decommission.sh"
    curl -X DELETE "https://central.meta-agent.example.com/api/devices/$DEVICE_ID"
    ;;

  *)
    echo "Unknown action: $ACTION"
    exit 1
    ;;
esac

echo "Action $ACTION completed for device $DEVICE_ID"

Edge Network Considerations

Connectivity Options

Connectivity options for edge devices:

• Wired Ethernet: Reliable, high-bandwidth
• Wi-Fi: Flexible, medium-bandwidth
• Cellular (4G/5G): Mobile, variable bandwidth
• LoRaWAN: Long-range, low-bandwidth
• Bluetooth: Short-range, low-bandwidth
• Satellite: Global coverage, high-latency

Network Resilience

Strategies for network resilience:

• Offline Operation: Function without connectivity
• Connection Recovery: Automatically reconnect
• Bandwidth Adaptation: Adjust to available bandwidth
• Multi-path Connectivity: Use multiple network paths
• Store and Forward: Queue data during disconnection

Edge Deployment Scenarios

IoT Gateway

Deploy as an IoT gateway:

• Sensor Integration: Connect to multiple sensors
• Data Aggregation: Collect and process sensor data
• Local Processing: Process data before sending to cloud
• Protocol Translation: Convert between protocols

On-Premises Edge Server

Deploy as an on-premises edge server:

• Local Compute: Process data locally
• Data Privacy: Keep sensitive data on-premises
• Reduced Latency: Minimize response time
• Bandwidth Reduction: Reduce cloud data transfer

Mobile Edge

Deploy on mobile devices:

• Smartphone/Tablet: Run on mobile operating systems
• Laptop: Run on portable computers
• Vehicle: Run in connected vehicles
• Wearable: Run on wearable devices

Edge Scripts

Scripts for edge management are located in /infra/scripts/:

• build_edge_package.sh - Build edge deployment package
• edge_deploy.sh - Deploy to edge device
• edge_update.sh - Update edge deployment
• edge_sync.sh - Manually trigger synchronization
• edge_monitor.sh - Check edge device health

Best Practices

• Design for resource constraints
• Implement robust offline operation
• Optimize for bandwidth efficiency
• Secure all edge components
• Implement comprehensive monitoring
• Plan for device lifecycle management
• Test in various network conditions
• Document edge-specific configurations

References

• Deployment Infrastructure
• Containerization
• Monitoring Infrastructure
• Security Infrastructure
• Database Infrastructure
• Edge Agent Development
• Edge Deployment Guide

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Last updated: 2025-04-18