In the ETSI GS MEC 003 agreement, a reference architecture for edge computing based on NFV architecture is proposed. This reference architecture allows APPs hosted on edge computing platforms to run efficiently and seamlessly on mobile networks. For reference in the architecture Points and function modules, ETSI also gives corresponding definitions in this agreement. Note: Currently, ETSI has changed mobile edge computing to multi-access edge computing.
2.1 Edge computing architecture
The edge computing architecture can be mainly divided into three levels: system layer, host layer, and network layer, as shown in Figure 6. This reference architecture shows the functional elements of MEC and the reference nodes between each functional element. 2.2 Mobile Edge Host The mobile edge host is an entity that contains the mobile edge platform and virtualization infrastructure.
The virtualization infrastructure can provide computing, storage and network resources, and these capabilities can be used for the operation of mobile edge APPs. The virtualization infrastructure contains a data plane that can execute the traffic rules received by the mobile edge platform and execute them on the APP, Services, domain name server (DNS), traffic forwarding and routing between 3GPP network, local network and external network.
1) There are 5 main functions of the mobile edge platform:
Provides an environment for APPs to discover, notify, consume and provide mobile edge services. The content covered by mobile edge services is very large, but in summary it mainly includes: acquisition of wireless network information, positioning functions and bandwidth management.
2. Receive traffic rules from the mobile platform manager, application or service, and instruct the data plane to perform some operations accordingly. At the same time, the token ring representing the UE can also be converted into the IP address featured in the traffic rules.
3 Obtain DNS records from the mobile edge platform management and configure the corresponding DNS proxy/server.
4. Provide mobile services, which may include: wireless network information acquisition, related positioning information, bandwidth management, etc.
⑤ Provide access to persistent storage and time information. LoRa gateway
2> In addition to the virtualization infrastructure and mobile edge platform, the mobile edge host also includes mobile edge APP. The APP runs on the virtual machine of the virtualization infrastructure provided by the mobile edge host and provides mobile edge services. The APP can be Support for interaction between mobile edge platforms and execution of corresponding APP life cycle related operations, including: indicating availability, preparing relocation of user status, etc.
Mobile edge APPs also have a series of rules and requirements, such as requirements for resources, maximum latency, required services, etc. These requirements must be verified by mobile edge system-level management. APPs can be developed and provided by third-party vendors. It can also be the platform provider’s own APP. If it is a third-party APP, operating on the virtual machine of the platform involves issues such as platform capability opening and interaction. Figure 7 shows the edge computing system reference architecture defined by ETSI. Among them, management (mgmt), requirements (requests, reqts).