Mobile edge computing (MEC) enables cloud computing capabilities and IT services at the edge of cellular networks. It addresses the long data paths and lack of determinism in quality of service (QoS) of traditional centralized architectures by relocating applications and services to the edge. This allows for campus area coverage, deterministic QoS, high availability, strong security and seamless mobility needed for demanding industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The document discusses approaches like hybrid networks that separate control and user planes, as well as private LTE networks controlled by enterprises. It also highlights examples like Vodafone's 5G mobility lab demonstrating uses of MEC for areas like smart intersections and vehicle communications.

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Mobile Edge Computing
Torsten Musiol

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• Wikipedia:
“Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) is a network architecture
concept that enables cloud computing capabilities and an
IT service environment at the edge of the cellular network.”
• MEC
- Mobile Edge Computing
- Mobile Edge Cloud
- Multi-Access Edge Computing
What is Mobile Edge Computing?
Many standardization bodies, consortia, fora, etc. have their own view…

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Classical mobile network architecture
Centralized datacenters for Core Network and (Cloud) Application Servers
Application ServersRadio Access Network
(Base Stations)
Core NetworkUser Equipment
Mobile Edge

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Long data path – non-deterministic QoS
Acceptable for many cloud-based IoT applications
Application ServersRadio Access Network
(Base Stations)
Core NetworkUser Equipment

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Requirements
• Campus area coverage
• Deterministic QoS
• High-availability
• Strong security
• Seamless mobility
Industry 4.0 goes wireless
Multiple radio technologies are competing
Most demanding use cases require licensed spectrum.
Many use cases can be implemented with LTE – some require 5G.

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Industrial M2M applications
Relocating the Base Station doesn’t solve the problem
Radio Access Network
(Base Stations)
Core Network
The data path needs to be
shortened and controlled!
Industrial Campus
Controller
Machine

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The hybrid approach – controlled by the operator
Local User-plane, centralized Control-plane
Radio Access Network
(Base Stations)
Core Network
Control
Multiple variants
• “S1 bump-in-the-wire”
• Distributed S/P-GW
• Control and User Plane Separation (CUPS)
• Network Slicing (5G)
Controller
Machine
Industrial Campus

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The private LTE approach – controlled by the enterprise
Local User-plane and Control-plane
Control
MECS
Small
Cells
Controller
Machine
Industrial Campus
Platform
App
Computing
AppApp App
Storage Networking

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App
Computing
AppApp App
Storage Networking
App
Central cloud vs. edge cloud
Holistic approach required
App
Computing
AppApp App
Storage Networking
• Common programming model
• Security, privacy

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??Not desiredPrivate LTE
Role allocation
Different operability and business models
Public LTE
Network element management
Service management
Subscriber management
User device management
Enterprise
Operator
Radio resource management
WLAN

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Private LTE
The complexity challenge
Make LTE as easy as WLAN
Network element management
Service management
Subscriber management
User device management
Enterprise
Operator
Radio resource management
WLAN
Plan
Build
Run

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Vodafone 5G Mobility Lab – opened on 30.08.2017
Mobile Edge Cloud Server (MECS) + 4 LTE Small Cells
MECS
Source: Google

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1) Smart Intersection
2) See-through truck
3) Geo-messaging
4) Security information
Vodafone 5G Mobility Lab
Live demos
Source: Vodafone

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• Public safety
• Automotive
• Mining
• Construction
• …
Other use cases

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LTE goes local!
Picture Credits: Pixabay