Edge Content Distribution Service for MEC Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-access edge computing (MEC) networks face challenges in content distribution, leading to increased use of backhaul network resources and prolonged application service provisioning times due to the storage of static content within the network.

Innovation Solution

An edge content distribution service is implemented, utilizing tiered overlay networks and a distributed hash table to optimize content distribution based on performance metrics, resource constraints, and cost factors, allowing MEC networks to share static content and update lookup service data continuously.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If static content is stored within MEC networks, then application service provisioning is enabled, but backhaul network resource usage increases and provisioning time is prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication service provisioning speedVSAvoidbackhaul network resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple MEC networks into a unified content distribution system where static content is shared across the network. Instead of each MEC network storing complete copies of static content, the system combines their storage capabilities and distributes content efficiently, reducing redundant backhaul traffic while maintaining fast provisioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-distributing static content to MEC networks based on predicted demand patterns and performance metrics. The lookup service data is continuously updated in advance, so when content is needed, it is already positioned at the appropriate MEC network, eliminating the need for real-time backhaul retrieval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If static content is distributed among all MEC networks, then service availability is improved, but content distribution overhead and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidcontent distribution volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by distributing different portions of static content to different MEC networks based on their specific characteristics, location, and predicted local demand. Instead of uniform distribution, each MEC network stores the specific content segments that are most relevant to its service area, reducing overall distribution volume while maintaining high availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lookup service acts as an intermediary that manages content distribution across MEC networks. It maintains a distributed hash table that maps content identifiers to the MEC networks storing them, enabling efficient content retrieval without requiring content to be replicated across all networks. This mediator reduces the quantity of distributed content while ensuring service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a centralized content management system is used, then content distribution control is simplified, but network latency and single point of failure risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent management complexityVSAvoidnetwork latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized content management system into distributed components across multiple MEC networks. The lookup service data is divided and stored in a distributed hash table across the network, eliminating the single point of failure. Each MEC network manages its local content independently while collaborating through the distributed lookup service, reducing latency while maintaining manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Speed

If content is cached at every MEC network, then access speed is improved, but backhaul resource consumption and storage overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent access speedVSAvoidbackhaul resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having MEC networks cache only the specific portions of static content that are most frequently accessed in their local area, rather than caching complete content sets. The distributed hash table enables partial content distribution, where each network stores content segments based on local demand patterns, achieving fast access speed while minimizing backhaul resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11290859B2Method and system for content distribution among MEC networks

Publication Date: 2022.03.29 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a edge content distribution service is provided. The edge content distribution service may include the distribution of static content among multi-access edge computing networks. The edge content distribution service may include tiered overlay networks that are correlated to performance metrics associated with application services, static contents of the application services, and/or the acquisition and delivery of the static contents. The edge content distribution service also consider available network resources at the multi-access edge computer networks and the overlay networks of the tiered architecture.