Standard

The document introduces a number of service scenarios that would benefit from the introduction of Mobile-Edge Computing (MEC) technology. The focus of the document is to introduce or provide a non-exhaustive set of service scenarios. It is not the intent nor does the present document provide any requirements.

The document lists the functionalities and capabilities required by a MEC compliant implementation. In addition, the document specifies a testing framework defining a methodology for development of interoperability and/or conformance test strategies, test systems and the resulting test specifications for MEC standards. In additional, the testable requirements are listed and prioritized.

The document studies the applicability of MEC specifications to inter-MEC systems and MEC-Cloud systems coordination that supports e.g. application instance relocation, synchronization and similar functionalities. Another subject of this study is the enablement and/or enhancement of functionalities for application lifecycle management by third parties (e.g. application developers).

The document describes the key issues, solution proposals and recommendations for MEC integration into 3GPP 5G system. The following aspects are addressed: MEC System interactions with the 5G System, including the correspondence of the current MEC procedures to procedures available in 3GPP 5G system specification, options for the functional split between MEC and 5G Common API framework, realization of MEC as 5G Application Function(s). In addition the document addresses the scope and the preferred way of proceeding with the identified future technical work, as well as the identification of any missing 5G system functionality for MEC integration.

The document focuses on identifying the additional support that needs to be provided by MEC when MEC applications run on alternative virtualization technologies, such as containers. The document collects and analyses the use cases relating to the deployment of such alternative virtualization technologies, evaluates the gaps from the currently defined MEC functionalities, and identifies new recommendations. As ETSI NFV is also working on alternative virtualization technologies, the MEC work should be aligned with NFV where applicable. The document also recommends the necessary normative work to close any identified gaps.

The document focuses on identifying the MEC functionalities to support network slicing. It first analyses the relevant network slicing concepts as defined by external organizations. Next, it collects relevant use cases based on the identified network slicing concepts when applied in the context of MEC and it evaluates the gaps from the defined MEC functional elements. When necessary, the document identifies new MEC functionalities or interfaces as well as changes to existing MEC functional elements, interfaces and requirements. It will also recommend the necessary normative work to close these gaps if identified.