The previous article demonstrates the necessity of MEC in 5G. But how to deploy it?
Let’s check out the converged architecture of 4G/5G network and MEC:
UPF (User Plane Function), the crucial network element in 5GC (5G Core Network), is the bridge connected with 5GC and MEC, providing functions such as data distribution and traffic statistic.
Connected with EPC/5GC and MEC, UPF is in charge of the user plane function in core network. All of the data will be transmitted to external network by UPF forwarding.
The architecture of 5GC is very flexible. To simplify the process of data transmitting, UPF is deployed under the network elements in control plane. The network architecture like this enables the edge deployment for MEC.
For operators, they can flexibly deploy MEC based on specific scenarios and customized requirements:
Image source: https://www.eet-china.com/mp
Of course, the easiest solution is to add MEC function to the UPF deployed in edge network.
For enterprises, to provide services to each subscribers, they need to concatenate their edge computing platform and UPF from various operators together, connecting with radio equipment of operators.
With the deployment of MEC, it is possible to provide low-latency and high-performance services with low CAPEX.
Moreover, to meet the requirement of data security in industrial park, MEC can realize the limitation of data in internal network, connecting with the operators and internal network.
IPLOOK MEC solution
As the key to the success of 5G services such as Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), IPLOOK’ s flexible and efficient MEC solution can provide real-time, high-bandwidth, and high-security services based on specific scenario.
For a closed park or enterprise network, the MEC solution can be used to offload the internal network traffic within a park or an enterprise to achieve local management and operation of the enterprise network.
Advantages:
1.Support standard LTE interfaces and inter-operation with existing deployed LTE networks
2.Highly cost-effective with flexible deployment (can be deployed on a standalone COTS server or be embedded directly into an eNodeB)based on various application scenarios
3.Support smooth migration to 5G networks through software update
In 5G era, the development of MEC is motivated by the rising requirement of high bandwidth and low latency network. Both 2B business concentrated on industry applications and emerging 2C business require higher standard of network.
MEC, the young technology sprouted from 4G era, was placed great expectation for three major application scenarios in 5G. It is believe that the MEC can evolve to stronger technology and enable 5G network to be applied in all industries with high performance.