Edge computing, combined with big data and cloud computing platforms, allows third-party applications to be deployed at the edge of the network. This is a necessary technology for the evolution of network architectures from flat to edge and 5 G-oriented.
In addition, it provides a new ecosystem and value chain. For the current popular IoT applications, especially some emerging IoT application areas such as autonomous driving, drones, AR/VR, smart cities, etc.. These new applications place great emphasis on image and video recognition and processing capabilities. In other words, the requirements on the network are very demanding, almost reaching the level of tens of milliseconds. The traditional backhaul cloud approach obviously cannot meet these requirements, and this necessary technology can take its place.
Given the broad prospects and wide range of applications of edge computing, the standardization of edge computing has gradually attracted the attention of major standardization organizations. The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) first published a white paper on edge computing in 2015, which covers the definition of edge computing, scenario applications, platform architecture, enabling technologies, and deployment options.
After that, ETSI officially launched the standardization work of edge computing. So far, ETSI has proposed including: edge Platform architecture, edge computing technology requirements, edge application program interface (API) interface guidelines, edge application (application, APP) enablement, and other content versions. Currently, ETSI is concerned with edge computing. The first phase of the standardization work has ended, and the tasks of phase 2 have been carried out.
As the most important and influential standardization organization currently, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) also lists it as a key technology in the future 5G era. In the 3GPP system architecture (SA) in the standardization process, the need for this technology has been regarded as an important design factor. Currently, 3GPP has written the future 5G service architecture based on control and user plane separation (CUPS). The standard also provides traffic grooming solutions and business continuity solutions. Since 3GPP’s standardization work mainly targets network architecture, it will pay more attention to the edge platform and network architecture design.
China Communications Standards Association (CCSA) has currently accepted projects and research projects from three operators. It mainly studies the application scenarios, platform architecture, and API interface definitions of edge computing. and other contents. Among them, the Industrial Internet Group added a new project related to the application in the Industrial Internet in August 2017, and the application level involved in edge computing has also expanded to industry.
As one of the three major operators in China, China Unicom actively participates in edge computing research and lays out edge cloud construction.In June 2017, China Unicom released a white paper on edge computing, which clarifies the capabilities and applications of China Unicom’s edge computing platform. Scenario requirements, providing China Unicom’s 4G network and 5G network edge computing deployment strategy, recommendations and evolution programs.
At Communic Shanghai 2017, China Unicom launched the Mercedes-Benz Center Smart Venue Edge Computing Pilot. The pilot mainly solves the problem of multi-channel video scheduling and distribution in the venue. Authorized users in the arena can quickly and seamlessly switch between multiple live broadcasts. The latency of the terminal live broadcast is very low, almost synchronized with the live broadcast.
On November 16, 2017, the China International Hi-Tech Fair (hereinafter referred to as the Hi-Tech Fair) kicked off at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center. China Unicom joined hands with HPE, Xingyao Technology, INTEL, XJERA LABS, Sunshine Qutuo, NVIDIA, H3C and other companies to create the “Edge Cloud (EC) + Intelligent Security” commercial deployment solution, which can realize a variety of typical expression recognition, behavioral detection, trajectory tracking, hotspot management, human attribute recognition and other local AI applications.
At present, China Unicom has deployed edge computing pilot networks in several key cities in conjunction with equipment vendors, software developers, and chip vendors. It is focusing on the construction of several demonstration networks such as smart campuses, smart venues, and security monitoring.
In the future, China Unicom will not only need to improve its pipeline and connectivity, but will also need to work closely with equipment vendors, content providers, Internet application providers (OTTs), software developers and others. Break the silence mode and provide end-to-end application solutions. Enhance user stickiness and promote the overall development of the edge computing industry chain. China Unicom has already been at the forefront of the development and will plan to lay out the construction of 5G edge cloud in the future.
Edge computing is a new type of network architecture and open platform that integrates network, computing, storage and application core capabilities at the edge of the network. It changes the traditional centralized cloud computing by transferring computing and storage capabilities to the edge of the network.
By eliminating data backhaul, this necessary technology can significantly reduce congestion and burden on core and transport networks. It reduces latency and brings high bandwidth. At the same time, it can respond quickly to user requests and improve service quality.
More and more operators, equipment vendors and chip vendors are joining in building the edge computing ecosystem. How to build a unified standard edge computing platform is very important for future ecological construction.
