Edge Computing: Deployment and Simulation

With the rapid growth in the number of connected devices and use cases for the end users, the requirements for the network and cloud infrastructure in terms of end-to-end latency and bandwidth have changed dramatically in the last few years, questioning the centralized cloud computing paradigm. The answer to these problems is the dis-aggregation of the cloud resources in smaller data centers, but closer to the users in order to distribute the traffic load and reduce the latency. This paradigm is called Edge Computing and, combined with the latest technologies in terms of mobile access networks allows many use cases (e.g., fast data collection and processing, augmented reality, VR Games, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Smart Industries, and Cities) for many typologies of terminals. However, when dealing with the desegregated paradigm, new issues concerning service continuity and users’ context synchronization between different edge nodes come up. In this rapport, I present the studies, the analysis, and the tests behind the implementation of a testbench for Multi-Access Edge Computing use cases based on Nokia’s commercial products. I also present the design, implementation, and use cases of a new 5G Simulator with mobility features, and Local Area Data Network support that can be used, adapted, and completed for large-scale and edge mobility tests.