computer science

Multi-access edge computing

Multi-access edge computing is a computer science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Multi-access edge computing rather than just read about it. In short: Multi-access edge computing (MEC), formerly mobile edge computing, is an ETSI-defined network architecture concept that enables cloud computing capabilities and an IT service environment at the edge of the cellular network and, more generally, at the edge of any network. The basic idea behind MEC is that by running applications and performing related processing tasks closer to the cellular customer, network congesti…

Key takeaways

Multi-access edge computing belongs to computer science; place it in that map before memorising details.
Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
Connect Multi-access edge computing to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
Reproduce the core statement of Multi-access edge computing from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Multi-access edge computing (MEC), formerly mobile edge computing, is an ETSI-defined network architecture concept that enables cloud computing capabilities and an IT service environment at the edge of the cellular network and, more generally, at the edge of any network. The basic idea behind MEC is that by running applications and performing related processing tasks closer to the cellular customer, network congestion is reduced and applications perform better. MEC technology is designed to be implemented at the cellular base stations or other edge nodes, and enables flexible and rapid deployment of new applications and services for customers. Combining elements of information technology and telecommunications networking, MEC also allows cellular operators to open their radio access network (RAN) to authorized third parties, such as application developers and content providers. Technical standards for MEC are being developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, which has produced a technical white paper about the concept.

Distributed computing in the RAN MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also can store and process content close to cellular subscribers, for faster response time. Applications can also be exposed to real-time radio access network (RAN) information. The key element is the MEC application server, which is integrated at the RAN element. This server provides computing resources, storage capacity, connectivity, and access to RAN information. It supports a multitenancy run-time and hosting environment for applications. The virtual appliance applications are delivered as packaged operating system virtual machine (VM) images or containers incorporating operating systems and applications. The platform also provides a set of middleware applications and infrastructure services. Application software can be provided by equipment vendors, service providers, and third parties.

Deployment The MEC application server can be deployed at the macro base station EnodeB that is part of an LTE cellular network, or at the Radio Network Controller (RNC) that is part of a 3G cellular network, and at a multi-technology cell aggregation site. The multi-technology cell aggregation site can be located indoors or outdoors.

Business and technical benefits By using mobile edge computing technology, a cellular operator can efficiently deploy new services for specific customers or classes of customers. The technology also reduces the signal load of the core network and can host applications and services in a less costly way. It also collects data about storage, network bandwidth, CPU utilization, etc., for each application or service deployed by a third party. Application developers and content providers can take advantage of proximity to cellular subscribers and real-time RAN information. MEC has been created using open standards and application programming interfaces (APIs), using common programming models, relevant tool chains, and software development kits to encourage and expedite the development of new applications for the new MEC environment.

Applications Since MEC architecture has only recently been proposed, there are as yet very few applications that have adopted this architecture. However, many case studies have been proposed in recent articles. Some of the notable applications in mobile edge computing are computational offloading, content delivery, mobile big data analytics, edge video caching, collaborative computing, connected cars, smart venues, smart enterprises, healthcare, smartgrids, service function chaining, indoor positioning, etc.

Current uses Some applications that incorporate MEC were made available in 2015. For example, active device location tracking allows operators to track active terminal equipment, independent of Global Positioning System devices. This is based on third-party geolocation algorithms within an application hosted on the MEC application server. Another use is distributed content and Domain Name System (DNS) caching, which reduces server load and speeds up delivery of data to customers. The first commercial product available at a bigger scale is AWS Wavelength. Customers are able to run their applications on AWS services at the edge of a 4G/5G network of a specific telco.

Technical standards Technical standards for MEC are being developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), which created a new Industry Specification Group in 2014 for this purpose. The participating companies are: Allot Communications Systems Ltd, ASTRI, AT&T, B-Com, Cadzow Communications Consulting, Ceragon Networks, Cisco Systems Belgium, ETRI, Eurecom, Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe, Hewlett-Packard France, Huawei TechnologiesFrance, Huawei Technologies(UK) Co. Ltd, IBM Europe, Intel Corporation, ISMB, InterDigital Communication, ITRI, JCP-Connect, Juniper, Motorola Mobility Ltd, National Technique Assistance Centre, NEC Europe Ltd, Nokia Solutions and Networks, NTT Corporation, NTT Docomo, Orange, PoLTE, PeerApp Ltd, PT Portugal SGPS SA, Quortus Limited, Red Hat Ltd, Saguna Networks, Samsung Electronics R&D Institute UK Ltd, Sony Europe Ltd, Sony Mobile Communications, Telecom Italia, Telefonica, Telekom Austria AG, Turk Telekom, Vasona Networks, Verizon, Viavi Solutions, Vodafone Group Services plc, Xilinx Inc., YAANA Ltd, and ZTE Corporation.

References

Further reading Insun Jang, Sukjin Choo, Myeongsu Kim, Sangheon Pack, György Dán, "The Software-Defined Vehicular Cloud: A New Level of Sharing the Road", IEEE Vehicular Technology Magazine, vol. 12, no. 2, Jun. 2017 DOI 10.1109/MVT.2017.2665718,

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Multi-access edge computing

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Multi-access edge computing claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In computer science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Multi-access edge computing before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Multi-access edge computing ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Multi-access edge computing

In research: Multi-access edge computing appears in computer science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Multi-access edge computing in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Multi-access edge computing is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics ETSI, Mobile telecommunications networks, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Multi-access edge computing outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Multi-access edge computing in 20 minutes

Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
Close the page and write down what Multi-access edge computing means in your own words.
Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
Explain Multi-access edge computing out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Multi-access edge computing in simple terms?

Why does Multi-access edge computing matter?

Because it connects several computer science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Multi-access edge computing?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Multi-access edge computing.