Context (archaeology)

World Wide Web

Provisioning

Biology

Statistics

Computer security

Virtualization

Server

Operating system

The Internet

Telecommunications

Computer science

Cloud computing

Edge device

Computer network

Paleontology

Industrial Internet

Internet of Things

Mathematics

Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution

Low latency (capital markets)

Mobile edge computing

Software engineering

Edge computing

Flexibility (engineering)

Core network

Software deployment

IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials

The increasing number of heterogeneous devices connected to the Internet, together with tight 5G requirements have generated new challenges for designing network infrastructures. Industrial verticals such as automotive, smart city and eHealthcare (among others) need secure, low latency and reliable communications. To meet these stringent requirements, computing resources have to be moved closer to the user, from the core to the edge of the network. In this context, ETSI standardized Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC). However, due to the cost of resources, MEC provisioning has to be carefully designed and evaluated. This survey firstly overviews standards, with particular emphasis on 5G and virtualization of network functions, then it addresses flexibility of MEC smart resource deployment and its migration capabilities. This survey explores how the MEC is used and how it will enable industrial verticals.

Toward Enabled Industrial Verticals in 5G: A Survey on MEC-Based Approaches to Provisioning and Flexibility