Edge Application Server Migration for Mobile Terminal Groups
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Solution Overview
Problem
In edge computing scenarios, existing methods fail to efficiently manage the dynamic adjustment of edge application servers (EAS) for groups of terminal devices with mobility, leading to latency issues when migrating to a new common EAS due to unresolved application layer connections.
Innovation Solution
A method involving core network devices and network elements to monitor and manage EAS changes, facilitating seamless migration by configuring user plane paths and notifying terminal devices to disconnect from old EAS and connect to new ones, using identifiers and IP information to ensure all devices in a group access the updated EAS efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the core network device selects a new common EAS for a group of terminal devices, then the edge computing performance is improved, but the latency of accessing the updated EAS increases due to unresolved application layer connections
Solution Approach 1:
The core network device performs preliminary actions by selecting and configuring the new common EAS before the application layer connection is broken. The user plane path is configured in advance, and the terminal device is notified to disconnect and reconnect to the new EAS, thereby reducing access latency while improving edge computing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the terminal device sends connection status information to the core network device. Based on this feedback, the core network device determines whether to break the application layer connection and switch to the new common EAS, optimizing the balance between performance improvement and access latency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application layer connection is broken to enable access to the new EAS, then the access to updated EAS is enabled, but the connection stability deteriorates during the migration process
Solution Approach 1:
The core network device configures the user plane path for the new common EAS in advance before breaking the application layer connection. This preliminary configuration ensures that when the terminal device reconnects, the connection is established quickly and stably with the new EAS, maintaining connection stability while enabling access to the updated server.
Solution Approach 2:
The core network device acts as an intermediary that manages the transition from the old common EAS to the new common EAS. It coordinates the breaking and re-establishing of connections, ensuring that the terminal device maintains stable connectivity throughout the migration process by controlling the timing and method of connection changes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the DNS cache is cleared to enable connection to the new EAS, then the connection to new EAS is established, but the migration process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the DNS cache clearing operation from the migration process. Instead of clearing the DNS cache, the solution directly manages the application layer connection and user plane path configuration, simplifying the migration process while still enabling connection to the new EAS through core network device control.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device dynamically joins or leaves the group, then the group composition is flexible, but the common EAS selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The core network device uses feedback from terminal devices about their join/leave status to dynamically adjust the common EAS selection. This feedback mechanism allows the system to handle group composition changes flexibly while maintaining simple EAS selection logic, as the core network device automatically processes these changes based on received information.
Data Source
AI summary
This application provides a method for selecting an edge application server and an apparatus. In the method, an application function network element may subscribe to, from a core network device by using first request information, an event that an EAS of one or more terminal devices changes. The core network device may monitor the EAS of the one or more terminal devices. The core network device may indicate, to the application function network element by using first notification information, to migrate an application of the one or more terminal devices to a first EAS. Based on this solution, the application function network element may subscribe to, from the core network device, the event that the EAS of the terminal device changes. When the EAS of the terminal device changes, the core network device may send the first notification information to the application function network element.