Research Area: Edge Computing
Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) is a key solution that enables operators to open their networks to new services and IT ecosystems to leverage edge-cloud benefits in their networks and systems. Located in close proximity from the end users and connected devices, MEC provides extremely low latency and high bandwidth while always enabling applications to leverage cloud capabilities as necessary. In this article, we illustrate the integration of MEC into a current mobile networks architecture as well as the transition mechanisms to migrate into a standard 5G network architecture. We also discuss SDN, NFV, SFC and network slicing as MEC enablers. Then, we provide a state-of-the-art study on the different approaches that optimize the MEC resources and its QoS parameters. In this regard, we classify these approaches based on the optimized resources and QoS parameters (i.e., processing, storage, memory, bandwidth, energy and latency). Finally, we propose an architectural framework for a MEC-NFV environment based on the standard SDN architecture.
Keywords:
5G
multi-access edge computing
network function virtualization
network slicing
service function chaining
software defined networking
Author(s) Name: Abderrahime Filali; Amine Abouaomar; Soumaya Cherkaoui; Abdellatif Kobbane; Mohsen Guizani
Journal name: IEEE Access
Conferrence name:
Publisher name: IEEE
DOI: 10.1109/ACCESS.2020.3034136
Volume Information: ( Volume: 8) Page(s): 197017 - 197046
