MEC Platform Handover via Context Transfer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile edge computing (MEC) networks, when user equipment (UE) is handed over from a source access network device to a target access network device, the interruption of application data provision from the source MEC server leads to poor continuity of service due to the involvement of different MEC servers, causing disruptions in service delivery.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for MEC platform handover that involves receiving a handover notification, determining the tunnel endpoint identifier (TEID) of the UE, obtaining context information about the source application, and sending this context to the target MEC platform to ensure seamless continuation of service by updating routing rules and releasing resources, thereby maintaining service continuity during handovers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If UE is handed over from source access network device to target access network device, then mobility and network flexibility are improved, but service continuity deteriorates due to different MEC servers being involved
Solution Approach 1:
The source MEC platform creates a copy of the UE context information and transfers it to the target MEC platform. This copying mechanism ensures that the target platform receives all necessary service data, application information, and routing rules, enabling seamless service continuation without interruption during handover.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a handover notification device that acts as an intermediary between the source and target MEC platforms. This intermediary receives handover notifications from the access network device and coordinates the context transfer process, ensuring reliable service continuity during the handover transition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If MEC server is correspondingly deployed for each access network device, then network architecture flexibility is improved, but service interruption occurs during handover between different access network devices
Solution Approach 1:
The source MEC platform proactively prepares and transfers the UE context information to the target MEC platform before the handover is completed. This preliminary action ensures that all service data, application information, and routing rules are already in place at the target platform, eliminating service interruption time during the actual handover execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a continuous context transfer mechanism that maintains service delivery throughout the handover process. By keeping the context information flowing from source to target platform and ensuring the target platform is ready to immediately take over service provision, the useful action of service delivery continues without interruption.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the communications field, and provide an MEC platform handover method, apparatus, and system. The method includes: receiving a handover notification sent by a handover notification device, where the handover notification device is a source access network device of to-be-handed-over UE or a target MEC platform of the to-be-handed-over UE; determining a TEID of the to-be-handed-over UE according to the handover notification; obtaining context of the to-be-handed-over UE according to the TEID of the to-be-handed-over UE; and sending the context to the target MEC platform. The present invention resolves a problem that provision of application data by an MEC platform to UE is interrupted when the UE is being handed over between access network devices, thereby providing continuous services to the UE. The present invention is applicable to a handover between MEC platforms.