Standard

The Technical Report studies and performs evaluations of potential architecture enhancements to support Edge Computing (EC) in the 5G Core network (5GC). Specifically, two objectives are included: a) to study the potential system enhancements for enhanced Edge Computing support, and b) to provide deployment guidelines for typical Edge Computing use cases, e.g. URLLC, V2X, AR/VR/XR, UAS, 5GSAT, CDN, etc.

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.

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 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 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 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 specifies the requirements for Multi-access Edge Computing with the aim of promoting interoperability and deployments. It contains normative and informative parts. The document also contains an annex describing example use cases and their technical benefits, for the purpose of deriving requirements.

The document provides a framework and reference architecture for Multi-access Edge Computing that describes a MEC system that enables MEC applications to run efficiently and seamlessly in a multi-access network. The document also describes the functional elements and the reference points between them, and a number of MEC services that comprise the solution. It finally presents a number of key concepts related to the multi-access edge architecture.

The document defines a framework to be used by ETSI ISG MEC to coordinate and promote multivendor Proofs of Concept (PoC) projects and MEC Deployment Trial (MDT) projects illustrating key aspects of MEC technology. Proofs of Concept are an important tool to demonstrate the viability of a new technology during its early days and or pre-standardization phase. MDTs are seen as the next step of PoC to demonstrate the viability of MEC in a commercial trial/deployment and to provide feedback to the standardization work.

The document defines design principles for RESTful MEC service APIs, provides guidelines and templates for the documentation of these, and defines patterns of how MEC service APIs use RESTful principles.

The document focuses on identifying the MEC features to support V2X applications. It collects and analyses the relevant V2X use cases (including the findings from external organizations), evaluates the gaps from the defined MEC features and functions, and identifies the new requirements including new features and functions. When necessary, this may include identifying new multi-access edge services or interfaces, as well as changes to existing MEC services or interfaces, data models, application rules and requirements. It will also recommend the necessary normative work to close these gaps if identified.

The document focuses on mobility support provided by Mobile Edge Computing. It documents mobility use cases and end to end information flows to support UE and Application mobility for Mobile Edge Computing. When necessary, the document describes new mobile edge services or interfaces, as well as changes to existing mobile edge services or interfaces, data models, application rules and requirements. The document identifies gaps to support mobility that are not covered by existing WIs, documents these gaps and recommends the necessary normative work to close these gaps.