© MECSware GmbH 2017
Mobile Edge Computing
Torsten Musiol

2 © MECSware GmbH 2017
• 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…

3 © MECSware GmbH 2017
Classical mobile network architecture
Centralized datacenters for Core Network and (Cloud) Application Servers
Application ServersRadio Access Network
(Base Stations)
Core NetworkUser Equipment
Mobile Edge

4 © MECSware GmbH 2017
Long data path – non-deterministic QoS
Acceptable for many cloud-based IoT applications
Application ServersRadio Access Network
(Base Stations)
Core NetworkUser Equipment

5 © MECSware GmbH 2017
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.

6 © MECSware GmbH 2017
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

7 © MECSware GmbH 2017
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

8 © MECSware GmbH 2017
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

9 © MECSware GmbH 2017
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

10 © MECSware GmbH 2017
??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

11 © MECSware GmbH 2017
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

12 © MECSware GmbH 2017
Vodafone 5G Mobility Lab – opened on 30.08.2017
Mobile Edge Cloud Server (MECS) + 4 LTE Small Cells
MECS
Source: Google

13 © MECSware GmbH 2017
1) Smart Intersection
2) See-through truck
3) Geo-messaging
4) Security information
Vodafone 5G Mobility Lab
Live demos
Source: Vodafone

14 © MECSware GmbH 2017
• Public safety
• Automotive
• Mining
• Construction
• …
Other use cases

© MECSware GmbH 2017
LTE goes local!
Picture Credits: Pixabay