Base Station IP Address Translation for MEC Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile-edge computing (MEC) technologies face challenges in managing IP addresses effectively, leading to potential service disruptions when MEC servers interact with Internet servers due to differences in IP address formats.
Innovation Solution
A system where a control device, integrated with or separate from a base station, manages IP addresses by assigning and converting between internal and external IP addresses, using DHCP and NAT functions to ensure continuity and uniqueness, particularly employing IPv6 addresses for terminal devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MEC servers use different IP address formats from Internet servers, then MEC can be deployed at edge locations, but service handovers between MEC and Internet servers become disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a base station as an intermediary device between terminal devices and servers. The base station performs Network Address Translation (NAT) to convert internal IP addresses (used in MEC network) to external IP addresses (used in Internet network), enabling seamless communication and service handovers between MEC servers and Internet servers without requiring different IP address formats
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the IP address parameter by implementing dual IP address assignment (internal and external IP addresses) and dynamic translation between them. The base station maintains mapping relationships between internal IP addresses assigned to terminal devices and external IP addresses used for Internet communication, allowing the same terminal device to access both MEC services and Internet services seamlessly
2Productivity
If IPv4 addresses are used for terminal devices, then current network compatibility is maintained, but IP address exhaustion occurs with increased terminal devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from IPv4 to IPv6 address format by assigning IPv6 addresses as internal IP addresses to terminal devices through the base station's DHCPv6 function. This parameter change in address format enables vastly increased address space capacity while maintaining network functionality through the dual IP address system with NAT translation
3Ease of operation
If IP address management is simplified, then deployment is easier, but service continuity during handovers cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The base station acts as an intermediary that automatically manages IP address translation between internal and external addresses. This intermediary function simplifies terminal device operation while ensuring service continuity through maintained mapping relationships and seamless NAT translation during handovers between MEC and Internet services
Solution Approach 2:
The base station pre-establishes mapping relationships between internal IP addresses and external IP addresses before service handovers occur. This preliminary action ensures that when terminal devices move between MEC network coverage and Internet network coverage, the IP address translation is already configured, guaranteeing continuous service without disruption
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] To provide an apparatus and a method capable of appropriately dealing with an IP address in MEC. [Solution] An apparatus including: a relay processing unit configured to perform relay processing of communication performed between a service provider device that provides a service to a terminal device and is provided in a radio access network and the terminal device; and a conversion processing unit configured to perform processing for converting an internal IP address assigned to the terminal device and an external IP address. In the relay processing, the relay processing unit communicates with the terminal device with use of the internal IP address and communicates with the service provider device with use of the external IP address.