UE Context Migration via Pointer Information in Mobile Edge Platforms
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mobile edge computing environments, existing UE context migration methods are inefficient, leading to time-consuming data migrations and wastage of network resources due to the need to constantly migrate entire virtual machine or container data, especially when users move between different Mobile Edge Platforms (MEPs).
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves managing UE context migration by transmitting only pointer information between MEPs during user movement, triggering actual data migration only when the user starts using a service on a new MEP, thereby reducing unnecessary data transfers and enhancing system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all data in the virtual machine/container is moved during service migration, then service continuity is maintained, but migration time increases and network resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual machine/container data into two parts: UE context data (necessary for service continuity) and other data (not immediately needed). Only the UE context data is migrated during handover, while other data remains on the source MEP and is fetched on-demand later. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by migrating only essential data for service continuity without migrating unnecessary data that would increase migration time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary UE context data from the virtual machine/container for migration during handover. By taking out only the essential context information needed for service continuity and leaving other data on the source MEP, the system achieves fast migration without compromising service continuity, as the extracted UE context is sufficient to maintain service while other data can be retrieved later on-demand.
2Reliability
If all data in the virtual machine/container is moved during service migration, then service continuity is maintained, but network resources are wasted due to unnecessary data transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual machine/container data into UE context data (necessary for service continuity) and other data (not immediately needed). Only the UE context data is migrated during handover, while other data remains on the source MEP and is fetched on-demand later. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by migrating only essential data for service continuity without migrating unnecessary data that would waste network resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary UE context data from the virtual machine/container for migration during handover. By taking out only the essential context information needed for service continuity and leaving other data on the source MEP, the system achieves fast migration without compromising service continuity, as the extracted UE context is sufficient to maintain service while other data can be retrieved later on-demand.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the virtual machine/container constantly migrates when the user moves between MEPs, then service follows the user, but system performance diminishes due to frequent migrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic migration strategy where the virtual machine/container migration behavior changes based on user activity. During user inactivity, the system allows the VM/C to remain on the source MEP with pointer information updated. When user activity is detected, migration is triggered. This dynamic approach maintains service mobility while avoiding unnecessary frequent migrations that would degrade system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces periodic user activity detection as a trigger mechanism for migration. Instead of migrating continuously when the user moves, the system periodically checks for user activity and only triggers migration when activity is detected. This periodic action maintains service mobility by following the user when needed while avoiding unnecessary migrations during inactivity periods, thus preserving system performance.
4Loss of time
If only newly added data in the original virtual machine/container is targeted for migration, then migration data volume is reduced, but data belonging to other users may be migrated wasting network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces pointer information as an intermediary mechanism between the source and target MEPs. The pointer information contains identifiers that enable the target MEP to precisely locate and retrieve only the specific UE context data needed from the source MEP. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient data retrieval of only necessary UE context data without migrating unnecessary data, thus reducing migration time while avoiding waste of network resources through precise data targeting.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) context migration management method applied to a mobile edge platform (MEP) for managing a UE context of a mobile communication device is provided. An embodiment includes: receiving a migration completion indication of a mobile communication device; obtaining source platform information corresponding to the mobile communication device according to the migration completion indication, wherein the source platform information at least includes a location information of a source MEP; and transmitting a first request to the source MEP according to the source platform information to obtain an pointer information of the UE context of the mobile communication device from the source MEP, wherein the pointer information at least indicates a location where the UE context of the mobile communication device locates and the location information of the source MEP.