WebAssembly as a Common Layer for the Cloud-edge Continuum

TL;DR

This paper advocates for using WebAssembly as a universal layer to enable interoperable, secure, and efficient programming across the distributed cloud-edge continuum, addressing current fragmentation issues.

Contribution

It proposes leveraging WebAssembly with trusted execution environments to create an interoperable, high-performance platform for the cloud-edge continuum, supported by a prototype implementation.

Findings

Preliminary prototype demonstrates feasibility

WebAssembly enables cross-device interoperability

Secure execution within trusted environments is achievable

Abstract

Over the last decade, the cloud computing landscape has transformed from a centralised architecture made of large data centres to a distributed and heterogeneous architecture embracing edge and IoT units. This shift has created the so-called cloud-edge continuum, which closes the gap between large data centres and end-user devices. Existing solutions for programming the continuum are, however, dominated by proprietary silos and incompatible technologies, built around dedicated devices and run-time stacks. In this position paper, we motivate the need for an interoperable environment that would run seamlessly across hardware devices and software stacks, while achieving good performance and a high level of security -- a critical requirement when processing data off-premises. We argue that the technology provided by WebAssembly running on modern virtual machines and shielded within trusted execution environments, combined with a core set of services and support libraries, allows us to meet both goals. We also present preliminary results from a prototype deployed on the cloud-edge continuum.