Application Instance Address Translation for Low-Delay MEC Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing network delay in application state transitions is high due to the roundabout uplink path required when switching application instances, affecting user experience in mobile edge computing environments.
Innovation Solution
An application instance address translation method involving a control plane device and mobile edge cloud control device to directly set forwarding addresses for uplink and downlink packets, allowing terminals to access new application instances without recreating connections, by using address translation policies based on target instance information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal sends uplink packets through the initial service device to the destination service device after application instance switching, then the packet can reach the target application instance, but the network delay increases due to the roundabout path
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane device performs address translation preparation in advance by obtaining the service address of the target application instance before the terminal sends packets. The control plane device pre-configures the user plane device with translation rules mapping the initial service device address to the target applicationinstance address, so that when packets arrive, the translation can be applied immediately without waiting for connection reestablishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The control plane device acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the user plane device and the target application instance. It receives packet forwarding information from the user plane device, obtains the correct target address through collaboration with the MEC control device, and formulates translation policies that instruct the user plane device on how to forward packets directly to the target applicationinstance, eliminating the need for packets to traverse through the initial service device.
2Reliability
If the terminal recreates connections to new application instances after moving between service areas, then the connection can be established with the target instance, but the access delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control plane device implements a feedback mechanism where it receives handover information from the access network, queries the MEC control device for the current service address of the target applicationinstance, and uses this feedback information to formulate address translation policies. This feedback loop ensures that the system always has the most up-to-date address information and can translate packets correctly without requiring terminal reconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical connection reestablishment process with an address translation mechanism. Instead of the terminal physically reconnecting to a new applicationinstance after moving between service areas, the system uses IP address translation to redirect packets from the initial service device address to the target applicationinstance address, substituting the mechanical connection process with a software-based address mapping solution.
3Reliability
If the system uses existing DNAT technology for application instance transition, then the packet can be forwarded to the target instance, but the uplink path becomes roundabout and network bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the packet forwarding path based on the terminal's current location and the target applicationinstance's service address. The control plane device receives handover information, queries the MEC control device for the current service address, and formulates translation policies that adapt the forwarding path in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize the uplink path for each specific scenario rather than using a fixed roundabout path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the address translation parameters dynamically based on the terminal's location and the target applicationinstance's service address. Instead of using a static DNAT configuration, the system obtains the current service address from the MEC control device and formulates translation policies with updated address mappings. This parameter change enables the system to direct packets through the most efficient path, which may or may not involve the initial service device, depending on the current network state.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses an application instance address translation method, including: sending, by a control plane device, a collaboration request to a mobile edge cloud MEC control device, where the collaboration request includes location information of a terminal and information about an application service; receiving, by the control plane device, response information from the MEC control device, where the response information includes an address of a target instance; and sending, by the control plane device based on the address of the target instance, the address of the target instance to a first user plane device corresponding to the target instance, and instructing the first user plane device to set, as the address of the target instance, a forwarding address of an uplink packet sent by the terminal to obtain the application service. In this case, after performing cross-access node service area movement, the UE can directly perform packet exchange without recreating a service connection to a new application instance. This reduces a network delay.