Edge Application Server Discovery Across Multi-Network Edge Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in managing the discovery of edge application servers across different edge data networks, leading to increased latency and suboptimal user experience due to inconsistent deployment and lack of efficient methods for selecting the right discovery approach, particularly in scenarios involving UE relocation and network slice-specific authentication failures.
Innovation Solution
A centralized edge enabler server is introduced to provide information about service APIs of all edge application servers, assisting UEs in selecting the appropriate discovery method and reducing latency by facilitating seamless relocation of application contexts between edge data networks, and handling PDU sessions during emergencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a centralized edge enabler server is introduced to manage discovery of edge application servers, then the efficiency of server discovery is improved and latency is reduced, but the device complexity and system architecture become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A centralized edge enabler server is introduced as an intermediary component that mediates between UEs and edge application servers. This server maintains a registry of edge application servers and their service APIs, receives discovery requests from UEs, and provides appropriate discovery information. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing discovery management to improve efficiency while accepting the necessary increase in system architecture complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If edge application servers are deployed across multiple edge data networks with varied availability, then the adaptability and coverage are improved, but the difficulty of managing consistent discovery across networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized edge enabler server provides universal discovery management functionality that serves multiple edge data networks with varied availability characteristics. It maintains a unified registry that aggregates information from different networks, allowing UEs to discover edge application servers across multiple networks through a single standardized interface. This universal approach enables broad adaptability while simplifying management by providing consistent discovery mechanisms across heterogeneous networks.
3Ease of operation
If the UE autonomously selects discovery method without assistance, then the device independence is improved, but the discovery efficiency and accuracy decrease due to lack of information about supported discovery modes
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized edge enabler server implements a feedback mechanism where it provides discovery mode information to UEs based on their capabilities and the available edge application servers. The server receives capability information from UEs, determines the most appropriate discovery method, and feeds back specific discovery mode recommendations. This feedback loop maintains UE independence while significantly improving discovery efficiency by guiding UEs toward optimal discovery approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for managing discovery of an edge application servers. The method includes sending, by an edge enabler client of a UE, an initial service provisioning request to an edge configuration server. Further, the method includes receiving, by the edge enabler client, an initial service provisioning response comprises an information element from the edge configuration server, where the information element indicates the supported discovery mode. Further, the method sending, by the edge enabler client, a request for discovering the edge application server to at least one of the edge configuration server, a dedicated server for an edge application server information, and a Domain Name System (DNS) server based on the supported discovery mode.