KR101938455B1 - Method and apparatus for perforiming dynamic edge computing - Google Patents

Abstract

Receiving network data requests from a user device connected to the network and acquiring network resource information including information on connection status of the network and data processing capabilities of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network as the data processing request is received A method for performing dynamic edge computing is provided by a network controller that determines an edge computing device that performs requested data processing from a user device of a plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information.

Description

[0001] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMANING [0002] DYNAMIC EDGE COMPUTING [

The disclosed embodiments relate to a method for performing dynamic edge computing, an apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing, and a recording medium on which a program for executing a method of performing dynamic edge computing is stored in a computer.

The current cloud computing model has its limitations to meet the ever-increasing demand for end-to-end device traffic and the growing demand from the rapidly evolving IoT (Internet of Thing) market. Cloud computing has many problems such as load concentration, limitations of real-time connections, security problems, and the need for complex DB design. An edge computing model is proposed to overcome these problems. The edge computing model processes computation in a physically close gateway, PC, phone, set top box, etc., provides quick response in real time, provides a convenient interface, distributes load of cloud server and improves security I will.

However, the conventional edge computing is located at a physically fixed position from the network service provider, and the user is always provided with the same edge computing service. Accordingly, users in the same domain always receive services of the same physical edge computing environment regardless of the state of network resources.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus for dynamically selecting an edge computing device optimized for a user device requesting data processing in a Software Defined Network (SDN) based network and processing the data through the selected edge computing device And to provide a method and apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing that improves processing response speed and data transmission performance and prevents network congestion. It should be understood, however, that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described technical problems, and other technical problems may exist.

According to one embodiment, a method for a network control device to perform dynamic edge computing includes receiving a data processing request from a user device connected to a network; Obtaining network resource information including information on a connection state of the network and data processing capability of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network as the data processing request is received; And determining an edge computing device that performs the requested data processing from the user device of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information.

In a method for performing dynamic edge computing in a network control device according to an embodiment, the data processing capability includes computing capability and storage capability of each of the plurality of edge computing devices.

According to one embodiment, a method for a network controller to perform dynamic edge computing further comprises determining a processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information.

In a method for performing dynamic edge computing in a network control device according to an embodiment, the step of determining an edge computing device includes determining a required resource value for at least one of bandwidth, ; And comparing the required resource value with the processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices; And selecting one of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the comparison result.

A method for performing a dynamic edge computing in a network control device according to an embodiment, the step of determining an edge computing device comprises the steps of: Selects the nearest edge computing device.

According to one embodiment, a method for a network control device to perform dynamic edge computing further comprises providing identification information and path information of a determined edge computing device to a user device.

According to an embodiment, a network control apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing includes a communication unit for receiving a data processing request from a user device connected to a network; An information obtaining unit that obtains network resource information including information on a connection state of the network and data processing capability of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network as the data processing request is received; And a processor for determining an edge computing device to perform the requested data processing from the user device of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information.

In a network control device that performs dynamic edge computing according to one embodiment, the data processing capabilities include computing and storage capabilities of each of the plurality of edge computing devices.

In a network control apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing according to an embodiment, the processor determines the processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information.

In a network control apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing according to an embodiment, a processor determines a required resource value for at least one of a bandwidth, an operation type, and a memory capacity required for processing a requested data, Compares the processable resource values of each of the plurality of edge computing devices, and selects one of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the comparison result.

In a network control apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing in accordance with one embodiment, the processor may be configured to determine an edge computing device based on at least one of at least one edge computing device with a processable resource value equal to or greater than the required resource value, Select the edge computing device with the closest distance.

In the network control apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing according to an embodiment, the communication unit provides identification information and path information of the determined edge computing device to the user device.

The method and apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing according to an exemplary embodiment allocate and process resources to an edge computing device optimized on the basis of a user device requesting data processing, And provide the network service provider with the effect of adjusting the amount of traffic.

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a system for performing dynamic edge computing in accordance with one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for performing dynamic edge computing by a network control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.
3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing dynamic edge computing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a diagram for explaining a problem that occurs when edge computing is performed stably through an edge computing device.
5 is a diagram illustrating a method for a network control apparatus according to an embodiment to dynamically determine an edge computing device to process data.
6 is a block diagram of a network control apparatus according to an embodiment.

The terms used in this specification will be briefly described and the present invention will be described in detail.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term selected arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term, not on the name of a simple term, but on the entire contents of the present invention.

When an element is referred to as "including" an element throughout the specification, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Also, the terms "part," " module, "and the like described in the specification mean units for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software or a combination of hardware and software .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a diagram for describing a system 10 for performing dynamic edge computing in accordance with one embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, each component of the system 10 that performs dynamic edge computing is typically connected through a network. The network refers to a connection structure capable of exchanging information between network devices. Examples of such a network include Wi-Fi, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) (Wide Area Network), PAN (Personal Area Network), 3G, 4G, LTE, and the like.

A system 10 for performing dynamic edge computing in accordance with one embodiment includes a controller 100 that controls a plurality of network devices (e.g., 12, 22, 32) and a plurality of network devices For example, 12, 22, 32). Here, the plurality of network devices (e.g., 12, 22, 32) includes at least one connection node 22, 24, 26 such as at least one user device 12, 14, 16, And at least one edge computing device (32, 34, 36). However, this is only an example, and the components of the system 10 for performing dynamic edge computing are not limited to the above-described examples.

A system 10 for performing dynamic edge computing is a software-defined network-based system in which a plurality of network devices (e.g., 12, 22, 32) And to process the packet. In addition, policies such as state monitoring, routing, and quality of service (QoS) that must be addressed from the perspective of the entire network can be computed through software.

The control device 100 is a kind of command computer that controls the system 10 that performs dynamic edge computing, and can perform various complex functions such as routing, policy declaration, and security check. The control apparatus 100 may define a flow of data generated in a plurality of network devices (for example, 12, 22, 32) in a lower layer. The control apparatus 100 calculates the data path with reference to the network topology and the like for the flow allowed in the network policy and then transmits the entry of the flow to the plurality of network devices (for example, 12, 22, 32) Can be set.

In addition, the control device 100 according to an embodiment may determine an edge computing device that will process the data of the user device (e.g., 12) when a data processing request occurs in the user device (e.g., 12) . For example, the control device 100 may include a plurality of edge computing devices 32, 34 (based on network resource information including information about the connection state of the network and the data processing capabilities of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network) , 36) that are optimized for processing data.

The system 100 for performing dynamic edge computing according to an exemplary embodiment can dynamically select an edge computing device to perform processing of data requested by a user device based on network resource information, Efficiency can be increased.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for performing dynamic edge computing by a network control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG.

In step S210, the network control device can receive a data processing request from a user device connected to the network.

The data processing request received from the user device by the network control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may include operation information required for processing data and identification information of the user device. The operation information necessary for processing the data may include information on the type of operation and the capacity of the data. However, this is only an embodiment, and the operation information necessary for processing the data is not limited to the above example.

In step S220, as the data processing request is received, the network control device can obtain network resource information including information on the connection state of the network and the data processing capability of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network.

The information on the connection state of the network according to an exemplary embodiment may include information on the congestion degree and the direction and path of the flow connecting the plurality of network devices existing on the network. The information on the data processing capability of the plurality of edge computing devices includes information on the storage capacity indicating the type of computation that can be processed in each of the plurality of edge computing devices, the computation capability indicating the amount of computation, and the capacity of the storable data .

In step S230, the network control device may determine, based on the acquired network resource information, an edge computing device that performs the requested data processing from the user device among the plurality of edge computing devices.

According to one embodiment, the network control apparatus determines an edge that can process data most quickly in consideration of the available bandwidth between each user device that has requested the data and each of the plurality of edge computing devices, A computing device can be selected.

For example, the network control device may allocate storage and computation resources to edge computing devices located closest to the user device requesting data processing, such as data transfer or computation, to select the edge computing devices so that the data can be processed .

As a result, the performance of data transmission is improved in the case of a user device, the processing speed of data storage and calculation is increased, and the amount of data traffic can be controlled for a network service provider.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of performing dynamic edge computing according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

In step S310, the network control device may receive a data processing request from a user device connected to the network. For example, the network control device may receive a request for at least one of data transfer, calculation and storage from a user device.

In step S320, the network control device can acquire network resource information as the data processing request is received.

Here, the network resource information may include information on a connection state of the network and data processing capabilities of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network. The network control device can obtain network resource information from each of the plurality of network devices through a connection with a plurality of network devices existing on the network.

In step S330, the network control device can determine the processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information. Here, the processable resource value can be calculated from one or a combination of one or more of an available bandwidth value for each of the plurality of edge computing devices, a distance between each of the plurality of edge computing devices and the user device, a computation amount value, have.

In step S340, the network control device may compare the processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices to determine an edge computing device performing data processing.

For example, the network control device can determine the one of the plurality of edge computing devices by comparing the processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices, based on the required resource value required for data processing.

The network control apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may determine a required resource value through data related information included in a data processing request received from a user device. For example, when the user device requests the storage of the B data, the network control device can determine the required resource value by calculating information on the memory capacity required to store the B data, the bandwidth required to transmit the B data, and the like.

On the other hand, the network control apparatus can select an edge computing device having a processable resource value of a required resource value or more among a plurality of edge computing devices.

The network control apparatus can select a more optimized edge computing device among the plurality of edge computing devices when there are a plurality of edge computing devices having a processable resource value of a required resource value or more. For example, the network control device may include a first edge computing device having a processable resource value equal to or greater than a required resource value, and a first edge computing device connected to a second edge computing device, Device can be selected.

In step S350, the network control device may provide the user device with identification information and path information of the determined edge computing device.

Accordingly, the user device can transmit data to be processed to the determined edge computing device according to the path information provided from the network control device. Here, the data may be transmitted to the edge computing device determined from the user device as a packet or data unit of predetermined size.

4 is a diagram for explaining a problem that occurs when edge computing is performed stably through an edge computing device.

4, a plurality of user devices 412, 414, 416, a plurality of connection devices 422, 424, 426 and a plurality of edge computing devices 432, 434, 436 can be connected have.

In the case of an existing edge computing system, the user device (e.g., 412) is always the same as the edge computing device processing the data originating from the user device (e.g., 412) And the data processing service is provided by the edge computing device.

In FIG. 4, it is assumed that the edge computing device processing data generated in each of the first user device 412 and the second user device 414 is fixed to the first edge computing device 432. On the other hand, in this case, even if a data processing request is simultaneously generated in the first user device 412 and the second user device 414, all data processing requests are transmitted to the first edge computing device 432 .

Thus, even though another second edge computing device 434 capable of data processing is connected in close proximity to the first user device 412 and the second user device 414 requesting data processing, Congestion may be caused as it is concentrated in the edge computing device 432.

5 is a diagram illustrating a method for a network control apparatus (not shown) according to an embodiment to dynamically determine an edge computing device to process data.

5, a plurality of user devices 512, 514, 516, a plurality of connection devices 522, 524, 526 and a plurality of edge computing devices 532, 534, 536 can be connected to the network have.

A network control device (not shown) according to one embodiment may receive a data processing request from each of the first user device 512 and the second user device 514. Accordingly, the network control device (not shown) can acquire network resource information including information on the connection state of the network at the time when the data processing request is received and the data processing capability of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network have.

For example, the network control device (not shown) may be configured such that the first edge computing device 532 is using 30% of the memory to store other data, the second edge computing device 534 is using the available bandwidth B, 3 edge computing device 536 has throughput C data transmission performance. In addition, the network control device (not shown) may obtain information about the distance between the user device in which the request is made and each of the plurality of edge computing devices 532, 534, and 536.

As a result of the determination based on the obtained network resource information, the network control device (not shown) processes the data of the first user device 512 at the first edge computing device 532 and the data of the second user device 514 It can be deduced that processing in the second edge computing device 534 is the most optimized method.

Accordingly, the network control device (not shown) provides identification information of the first edge computing device 532 and path information between the first edge computing device 532 and the first user device 512 to the first user device 512, As shown in FIG. The network control device (not shown) also provides identification information of the second edge computing device 534 and path information between the first edge computing device 534 and the first user device 512 to the first user device 512 .

A network control device (not shown) according to one embodiment may dynamically select an edge computing device according to the requesting device for which the request originated, thereby reducing the problem of network congestion that may occur as described above with reference to FIG. 4 have.

6 is a block diagram of a network control apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

Only the components related to the present embodiment are shown in the network control apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 6, the network control apparatus 100 according to an embodiment may include a communication unit 110, an information obtaining unit 120, a processor 130, and a memory 140. [ However, not all illustrated components are required. The network control apparatus 100 may be implemented by more components than the illustrated components, and the network control apparatus 100 may be implemented by fewer components.

The communication unit 110 is connected to the network control device 100 and the external devices (for example, the user devices 12, 14 and 16 in FIG. 1, the connection devices 22, 24 and 26, the edge computing devices 32, 36) for communication between the base station and the base station.

The communication unit 110 according to an embodiment may receive a data processing request from a user device (for example, 12) connected to the network. In addition, the communication unit 110 may provide the user device (e.g., 12) with the identification information and the path information of the determined edge computing device.

As the data processing request is received, the information obtaining unit 120 may obtain network resource information including information on the connection state of the network and the data processing capability of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network.

The processor 130 typically controls the overall operation of the network control device 100.

The processor 130 may determine, based on the obtained network resource information, an edge computing device that performs the requested data processing from the user device among the plurality of edge computing devices.

For example, the processor 130 may determine the processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information. The processor 130 may determine a required resource value for at least one of bandwidth, operation type, and memory capacity required for processing the requested data.

The processor 130 may compare the required resource value with the processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices. In addition, the processor 130 may select any one of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the comparison result.

Memory 140 may store programs for processing and control of processor 130 and may store input / output data (e.g., network resource information, identification information of edge computing devices).

The memory 140 may store identification information of a plurality of network devices existing on the network, predetermined protocol information, and the like.

The memory 140 may store information regarding the connection state of the network obtained as the data processing request is received, and the data processing capability of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network.

The memory 140 may be a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory) SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), PROM (Programmable Read-Only Memory) , An optical disc, and the like.

An apparatus according to the present invention may include a processor, a memory for storing and executing program data, a permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communication port for communicating with an external device, a user interface such as a touch panel, a key, Devices, and the like.

Methods implemented with software modules or algorithms may be stored on a computer readable recording medium as computer readable codes or program instructions executable on the processor. Here, the computer-readable recording medium may be a magnetic storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a floppy disk, a hard disk, ), And a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). The computer-readable recording medium may be distributed over networked computer systems so that computer readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner. The medium is readable by a computer, stored in a memory, and executable on a processor.

All documents, including publications, patent applications, patents, etc., cited in the present invention may be incorporated into the present invention in the same manner as each cited document is shown individually and specifically in conjunction with one another, .

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings, and specific terminology is used to describe the embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific terminology, Lt; / RTI > may include all elements commonly conceivable by those skilled in the art.

The present invention may be represented by functional block configurations and various processing steps. These functional blocks may be implemented in a wide variety of hardware and / or software configurations that perform particular functions. For example, the present invention may include integrated circuit configurations, such as memory, processing, logic, look-up tables, etc., that may perform various functions by control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices Can be adopted.

Similar to the components of the present invention that may be implemented with software programming or software components, the present invention may be implemented as a combination of C, C ++, and C ++, including various algorithms implemented with data structures, processes, routines, , Java (Java), assembler, and the like. Functional aspects may be implemented with algorithms running on one or more processors. Further, the present invention can employ conventional techniques for electronic environment setting, signal processing, and / or data processing. Terms such as "mechanism", "element", "means", "configuration" may be used broadly and are not limited to mechanical and physical configurations. The term may include the meaning of a series of routines of software in conjunction with a processor or the like.

The specific acts described in the present invention are, by way of example, not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. For brevity of description, descriptions of conventional electronic configurations, control systems, software, and other functional aspects of such systems may be omitted. Also, the connections or connecting members of the lines between the components shown in the figures are illustrative of functional connections and / or physical or circuit connections, which may be replaced or additionally provided by a variety of functional connections, physical Connection, or circuit connections. Also, unless explicitly mentioned, such as "essential "," importantly ", etc., it may not be a necessary component for application of the present invention.

The use of the terms "above" and similar indication words in the specification of the present invention (particularly in the claims) may refer to both singular and plural. In addition, in the present invention, when a range is described, it includes the invention to which the individual values belonging to the above range are applied (unless there is contradiction thereto), and each individual value constituting the above range is described in the detailed description of the invention The same. Finally, the steps may be performed in any suitable order, unless explicitly stated or contrary to the description of the steps constituting the method according to the invention. The present invention is not necessarily limited to the order of description of the above steps. The use of all examples or exemplary language (e.g., etc.) in this invention is for the purpose of describing the present invention only in detail and is not to be limited by the scope of the claims, It is not. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, and alterations may be made depending on design criteria and factors within the scope of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.

Claims (13)

A method for a network control device to perform dynamic edge computing,
Receiving a data processing request from a user device connected to the network;
Obtaining network resource information including information on connection status of the network and data processing capabilities of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network as the data processing request is received; And
Determining an edge computing device that performs the requested data processing from the user device of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information,
Further comprising determining a processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information,
Wherein determining the edge computing device comprises: determining a required resource value for at least one of a bandwidth, an operation type, and a memory capacity required for the requested data processing; And comparing the required resource value with a processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices; And selecting any one of the plurality of edge computing devices based on a result of the comparison,
Wherein determining the edge computing device comprises:
And selects an edge computing device closest to the user device among the at least one edge computing devices whose processable resource value is equal to or higher than the required resource value,
Wherein the edge computing device is configured to dynamically select the edge computing device to process data requested by the user device based on the network resource information to increase the efficiency of data processing by distributing the load,
The information on the connection state of the network includes information on the congestion degree and flow direction and route of a path connecting the plurality of network devices existing on the network,
Wherein the processable resource value is calculated from one or more combinations of an available bandwidth value for each of the plurality of edge computing devices, a distance between each of the plurality of edge computing devices and the user device, a computation amount value, and a memory capacity value ≪ / RTI > wherein the method comprises the steps of: The data processing apparatus according to claim 1,
And computing capability and storage capability of each of the plurality of edge computing devices. delete delete delete The method according to claim 1,
Further comprising providing the user device with identification information and path information of the determined edge computing device. 1. A network control apparatus for performing dynamic edge computing,
A communication unit for receiving a data processing request from a user device connected to the network;
An information obtaining unit for obtaining network resource information including information on a connection state of the network and data processing capabilities of a plurality of edge computing devices connected to the network as the data processing request is received; And
And a processor for determining an edge computing device to perform the requested data processing from the user device among the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information,
Wherein the processor is further configured to determine a processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices based on the obtained network resource information,
Wherein the processor determines a required resource value for at least one of a bandwidth, an operation type, and a memory capacity required for the requested data processing, and compares the required resource value with a processable resource value of each of the plurality of edge computing devices Selecting one of the plurality of edge computing devices based on a result of the comparison,
Wherein the processor selects an edge computing device that is closest to the user device among at least one edge computing device with the processable resource value equal to or greater than the required resource value,
Wherein the edge computing device is configured to dynamically select the edge computing device to process data requested by the user device based on the network resource information to increase the efficiency of data processing by distributing the load,
The information on the connection state of the network includes information on the congestion degree and flow direction and route of a path connecting the plurality of network devices existing on the network,
Wherein the processable resource value is calculated from one or more combinations of an available bandwidth value for each of the plurality of edge computing devices, a distance between each of the plurality of edge computing devices and the user device, a computation amount value, and a memory capacity value ≪ / RTI > wherein the device performs dynamic edge computing. 8. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7,
And computing capability and storage capability of each of the plurality of edge computing devices. delete delete delete 8. The communication device according to claim 7,
And provides the user device with identification information and path information of the determined edge computing device.
delete

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