Edge Computing via UPF Address Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing edge computing solutions require modifications or enhancements to user equipment (UE) and application servers (AS) to access local edge application servers (EAS), which is costly and impractical due to the large number of UEs and the unwillingness of Internet companies or vertical industries to modify their ASs.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves using user plane function entities (UPF) to perform address translation and forwarding of data packets between UE and EAS, modifying the destination address of uplink IP packets to the network address of the local edge server and the source address of downlink IP packets to the target application server, without modifying the UE or AS.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If user equipment and application servers are modified or enhanced to access local edge application servers, then edge computing functionality is achieved, but deployment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a local edge server as an intermediary component that mediates between user equipment and the core network. The local edge server receives data packets from UE, performs edge computing processing locally, and forwards results to the core network, thereby enabling edge computing functionality without modifying UE or application servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the edge computing functionality into a separate local edge server component, distinct from user equipment and application servers. This segmentation allows the edge computing capabilities to be deployed independently on existing infrastructure, reducing the complexity of modifying existing systems while achieving the desired functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user equipment and application servers are modified or enhanced to access local edge application servers, then edge computing functionality is achieved, but the number of devices requiring modification increases deployment cost
Solution Approach 1:
The local edge server acts as a mediator that enables edge computing functionality without requiring modifications to user equipment or application servers. By placing the edge computing capabilities in a separate intermediary component, the patent avoids the high deployment costs associated with modifying numerous existing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The local edge server is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple user equipment devices and support various edge computing applications. This multi-functionality allows a single local edge server deployment to benefit multiple UEs and applications, thereby reducing the overall deployment cost per device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Internet companies or vertical industries modify their application servers to access local edge servers, then edge computing is enabled, but their unwillingness to modify creates a barrier
Solution Approach 1:
The local edge server serves as an intermediary that sits between user equipment and the core network, eliminating the need for application servers to be modified. The local edge server handles edge computing processing and communicates with the core network using existing interfaces, thereby removing the barrier of industry reluctance to modify their application servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The local edge server provides self-service functionality by autonomously performing edge computing processing on data packets received from user equipment. It independently manages the edge computing operations and communicates results to the core network without requiring modifications or interventions from application servers, thereby simplifying implementation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided in the embodiments of the present application are a communication method and apparatus based on edge computing, and a computer storage medium and an electronic device. The communication method based on edge computing comprises: receiving an uplink Internet protocol (IP) packet sent by a user equipment, wherein a destination address of the uplink IP packet is a network address of a target application server; determining, according to the network address of the target application server, a network address of a local edge server for responding to the uplink IP packet; and modifying the destination address of the uplink IP packet to the network address of the local edge server, and forwarding same to the local edge server for processing.