CONTENTS
The main objectives of MEC are: optimization of mobile resources by hosting compute-intensive applications, pre-processing of the large data before sending it to the cloud, enabling cloud services within the close proximity of mobile subscribers, and providing context-aware services with the help of radio access network information.
In doing so, MEC enables a wide variety of applications, e.g. where real-time responses are strictly required, e.g. applications for driverless vehicles, virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR), robotics, and immerse media.
ETSI ISG officially changed the name of mobile edge computing to mean multi-access edge computing in 2017.
PREREQUISITES
NFV knowledge is recommended but not compulsory. Apis’ 5G System Overview is highly recommended for background knowledge.
Background and Introduction to Edge Computing
- What is ETSI MEC?
- Host, Platform and Applications
Services
- Discovery and Registration
- DNS handling
- Traffic Rules
- Radio Network Information Services, RNIS
- Location Services
- UE id
- BW Management
MEC Architecture
- Mobile Edge Platform
- Mobile Edge Platform Manager
- Mobile Edge Orchestrator
MEC in Network Function Virtualization (MEC)
- OSS/BSS
- Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator, NFVO
- Virtual Network Function Manager, VNFM
- Mobile Edge Platform Life Cycle Manager, MEP LCM
- Virtual Network Function Manager, VNFM
- Multi-access Edge app LCM
Deployment of MEC in 5G
- Deployment scenarios
- Traffic steering
- UE and application mobility
- Capabilities exposure
3GPP System & Services Architecture 6 (Rel 17)
- 5G Service Enabler Architecture Layer, SEAL, enabling common capabilities for quicker onboarding of new Verticals
- Common API Framework to aid 3rd party applications access to 3GPP functions, CAPIF
- Edge Computing enables deployment of Edge Apps, EDGEAPP, in compliance with 3GPP System for low latency and increased performance
MEC Use Cases in 5G
- NEF, PCF, AMF, SMF, UPF
- Application instantiation on MEC host
- Traffic steering to the MEC host
- Location updates and mobility events to MEC
- Application offloading to a new MEC host