This is the last document of a series of 3 for designing a Reference Architecture for the continuum. The first document of the series presented an initial version of a common taxonomy, considering it as a unified language for all actors of the value chain.

This is the second document of a series of three defining a reference architecture for the continuum. In the previous one, different building blocks were identified setting the path for the different aspects to be taken into account while defining the architecture.

Cloud and edge computing are essential technologies in a computing continuum to ensure data is managed more efficiently – closer to the originating source rather than transmitting raw data to data centres. As recent studies suggest, data processing is moving closer to the edge.

The fact than more and more Cyber-Physical or IoT systems are integrated in vehicle fleets, coupled with the growing connectivity of these devices, poses a higher risk of cyber attacks, due to the increased attack surface.

Complex applications, which include microservices, computationally intensive batch jobs, and sophisticated interaction with the external environment, demand for heterogeneous computational infrastructures that range from cloud to HPC and edge computing.