Cloud and MEC Security 383
of the network, where they can easily be accessed and used by developers to optimize
user applications. In turn, the RAN provider is able to utilize information from such
third parties to make more efficient resource allocations decisions on the network.
16.3.2 MEC in 5G
Network softwarization will be a major driving force for the evolution towards 5G.
Emerging technologies such as Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network
Functions Virtualization (NFV), Fog Computing and MEC, will play a critical role in
this process. The overall target of these technologies is to advance agility, flexibility
and scalability at various points on the network. MEC extends IT services and cloud‐
computing capabilities to the edge of the network away from centralized nodes. It also
extends similar functionalities to the radio access networks and to the mobile subscribers. For operators, MEC platform enables them to provide new services through
the open RAN edge; this allows application designers to offer over‐the‐top (OTT)
services using the MEC servers.
It suffices to say that MEC as a technology is still relatively in its infancy. However,
according to 5G‐PPP, MEC is one of the key technologies and architectural concepts that
will drive the evolution to 5G networks. Other related technologies are SDN and NFV.
MEC will contribute by no small measure in the realization of the cardinal objectives of
5G in terms of throughput, latency, scalability and automation [23]. MEC will serve as a
key enabler to edge applications on 5G, while NFV
5
will be focused on the network functions. With the emphasis on infrastructure re‐use, these twin concepts could quite readily be combined in a complementary fashion; hence the 5G design makes provision for a
dual hosting of both Virtual Network Functions (VNF) and MEC using the same saver.
The benefit to this modality comes from optimal infrastructure re‐use, which constitutes
a major savings on investment [25]. The MEC server is designed for optimal softwarization of functions and efficient infrastructure utilization [26]. As shown in Figure 16.5, all
MEC applications and application platform services are software applications running
on hardware components. With this design, it is possible to lower the cost of hardware
components by combining off‐the‐shelf components with function virtualizations. For
instance, the MEC virtualization manager layer depicted in Figure 16.5 provides IaaS
facilities, which will provision for flexible and efficient multi‐tenancy, run‐time and
hosting environment for MEC application platform services [27].
The need for MEC comes natural with the convergence of IT and telecommunications networking. MEC proposes a paradigm shift in existing communication ecosystems that will enable a new vertical business segment and services for both consumers
and enterprise customers. By allowing for content caching at the network edge, the core
network is relieved of congestion, hence providing a more efficient platform for
resource‐demanding applications and use cases at the edge, such as augmented reality,
video analytics, location services, IoT and other such use cases [24]. The next subsection
provides more information on some of these use cases.
5 NFV and MEC tend to co-exist in many technical contexts, because they are similar in various ways and
also have similar origin; however, they are unique in the network segments they target, while NFV is
targeted towards a variety of network functions and applications, i.e. routing, security, firewall, and VPNs.
MEC is mainly targeted towards functions associated with wireless services at the edge of the RAN.
of the network, where they can easily be accessed and used by developers to optimize
user applications. In turn, the RAN provider is able to utilize information from such
third parties to make more efficient resource allocations decisions on the network.
16.3.2 MEC in 5G
Network softwarization will be a major driving force for the evolution towards 5G.
Emerging technologies such as Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network
Functions Virtualization (NFV), Fog Computing and MEC, will play a critical role in
this process. The overall target of these technologies is to advance agility, flexibility
and scalability at various points on the network. MEC extends IT services and cloud‐
computing capabilities to the edge of the network away from centralized nodes. It also
extends similar functionalities to the radio access networks and to the mobile subscribers. For operators, MEC platform enables them to provide new services through
the open RAN edge; this allows application designers to offer over‐the‐top (OTT)
services using the MEC servers.
It suffices to say that MEC as a technology is still relatively in its infancy. However,
according to 5G‐PPP, MEC is one of the key technologies and architectural concepts that
will drive the evolution to 5G networks. Other related technologies are SDN and NFV.
MEC will contribute by no small measure in the realization of the cardinal objectives of
5G in terms of throughput, latency, scalability and automation [23]. MEC will serve as a
key enabler to edge applications on 5G, while NFV
5
will be focused on the network functions. With the emphasis on infrastructure re‐use, these twin concepts could quite readily be combined in a complementary fashion; hence the 5G design makes provision for a
dual hosting of both Virtual Network Functions (VNF) and MEC using the same saver.
The benefit to this modality comes from optimal infrastructure re‐use, which constitutes
a major savings on investment [25]. The MEC server is designed for optimal softwarization of functions and efficient infrastructure utilization [26]. As shown in Figure 16.5, all
MEC applications and application platform services are software applications running
on hardware components. With this design, it is possible to lower the cost of hardware
components by combining off‐the‐shelf components with function virtualizations. For
instance, the MEC virtualization manager layer depicted in Figure 16.5 provides IaaS
facilities, which will provision for flexible and efficient multi‐tenancy, run‐time and
hosting environment for MEC application platform services [27].
The need for MEC comes natural with the convergence of IT and telecommunications networking. MEC proposes a paradigm shift in existing communication ecosystems that will enable a new vertical business segment and services for both consumers
and enterprise customers. By allowing for content caching at the network edge, the core
network is relieved of congestion, hence providing a more efficient platform for
resource‐demanding applications and use cases at the edge, such as augmented reality,
video analytics, location services, IoT and other such use cases [24]. The next subsection
provides more information on some of these use cases.
5 NFV and MEC tend to co-exist in many technical contexts, because they are similar in various ways and
also have similar origin; however, they are unique in the network segments they target, while NFV is
targeted towards a variety of network functions and applications, i.e. routing, security, firewall, and VPNs.
MEC is mainly targeted towards functions associated with wireless services at the edge of the RAN.