# NIST SP 500-325 Fog Computing Conceptual Model

Operations · `NIST SP 500-325` · verification: source checked

NIST Special Publication 500-325 is a conceptual model document that defines fog computing and mist computing and describes how they relate to cloud-based computing models for the Internet of Things. It characterizes properties of fog computing, including service models and deployment strategies, as a baseline for what fog computing is and how it may be used. The model addresses limits of traditional cloud-based IoT systems, such as large scale, heterogeneity and high latency, by decentralizing applications, management and data analytics into the network itself.

## Specification

| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Kind | system |
| Origin | National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) |

## Study notes

- Fog computing is described as a distributed and federated computer model that decentralizes applications, management and data analytics into the network itself.
- The document presents definitions of both fog computing and mist computing.
- Fog and mist computing are presented in relation to cloud-based computing models for IoT.
- Traditional cloud-based IoT systems are described as challenged by large scale, heterogeneity and high latency in some cloud ecosystems.
- The document characterizes fog computing properties including service models and deployment strategies.
- Keywords listed include cloud computing, cloudlet, edge computing, fluid computing, fog computing, Internet of Things (IoT) and mist computing.
- Published as NIST Special Publication (NIST SP) 500-325, report number 500-325, in 2018.
- Authors listed: Michaela Iorga, Larry Feldman, Robert Barton, Michael J. Martin, Nedim S. Goren and Charif Mahmoudi.
- Managing data generated by IoT sensors and actuators is identified as one of the biggest challenges when deploying an IoT system.

## Sources

1. [Fog Computing Conceptual Model](https://www.nist.gov/publications/fog-computing-conceptual-model) (accessed 2026-10-25)

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