KR20210031674A - Multi access edge computing orchestrator, and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to edge computing (multi-access edge computing, MEC) technology. Provided are an edge computing management device for providing data roaming services by utilizing the edge computing cloud (MEC cloud) existing in the network of telecommunication service providers, and an operation method of the edge computing management device.

Description

Edge computing management device and operating method of edge computing management device {MULTI ACCESS EDGE COMPUTING ORCHESTRATOR, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to an edge computing (MEC, Multi-Access Edge Computing) technology, and to a method for providing a data roaming service using an edge computing cloud (MEC Cloud) existing in a communication service provider network.

In mobile communication service, outside the home network (HPLMN, Home Public Land Mobile Network) service area to which it is subscribed, such as when visiting foreign countries while carrying a subscriber's terminal, and out of the service area of the Visit Public Land Mobile Network (VPLMN) service area Upon entering the mobile communication service provider, a roaming service is provided to both subscribers through a bilateral agreement between mobile communication service providers and interworking with the system, providing mobile phone outgoing and incoming services in both service areas.

In addition to basic voice calls and SMS (Short Message Service), these roaming services also provide data roaming services.

However, in the case of a data roaming service provided to a terminal located in a visited network in a conventional LTE (4G) communication system, the data traffic of the terminal must be serviced via a PGW (PDN Gateway) located in the home network (HPLMN) of the host country. As a result, it has a problem that quality of data traffic is not guaranteed at all depending on the distance between countries and the quality of the interworking network.

On the other hand, recently, the evolution from 4G communication system to 5G communication system is actively progressing, and edge computing (MEC, MEC, which is capable of accommodating ultra-low latency, large-capacity applications by arranging computing for application services near terminals in the environment) Multi-Access Edge Computing) technology is being tried.

When such edge computing technology is commercialized, it can also be expected to provide a data roaming service based on an edge computing cloud (MEC Cloud) implemented by a communication service provider network.

Accordingly, in the present invention, by implementing a new data roaming service based on an edge computing cloud, it is intended to solve the problem of the existing technology that the quality of data traffic cannot be guaranteed according to the distance between countries and the quality of the interworking network.

The present invention was created in view of the above circumstances, and an object to be reached in the present invention is an edge computing cloud (MEC Cloud) existing in a communication service provider network according to the application of the multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology. It is to provide data roaming service by utilizing.

The edge computing management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object creates a virtual gateway for foreign communication service providers in an edge computing cloud of a visited network (VPLMN), and allocates access information related to the virtual gateway. A generating unit to do; And when the terminal accesses the visited network to use the data roaming service by registering the access information with the visited network, a session for transmitting data traffic may be formed between the terminal and the virtual gateway according to the access information. It characterized in that it comprises a registration unit to allow.

Specifically, the generation unit allocates a first APN address, which is an APN address in the visited network to the foreign communication service provider, and an IP address mapped to the first APN address, and provides the virtual gateway to the edge computing cloud. Can be generated.

Specifically, the registration unit matches the first APN address with the operator identification information of the foreign communication service provider and registers it in the Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the visited network, and the DNS (Domain Name System) server of the visited network Mapping information between the first APN address and the IP address may be registered.

Specifically, the MME, when the operator identification information of the foreign communication service provider is confirmed from the terminal connected to the visited network, the APN address in the home network (HPLMN) of the foreign communication service provider requested by the terminal. 2 Instead of the APN address, an IP address matching the first APN address may be obtained from the DNS server to form a session between the terminal and the virtual gateway.

Specifically, when the access of the terminal to the visited network is confirmed, the MME authenticates the terminal in connection with the overseas communication service provider's home network (HPLMN), and when authentication for the terminal is completed, the terminal 1 An IP address matching the APN address may be obtained from the DNS server to form a session between the terminal and the virtual gateway.

Specifically, the registration unit transmits and receives a GTP-C (GPRS Tunneling Protocol-Control) message with the MME, and the GTP-C message includes a message type field for distinguishing transmission or reception of a message to the MME, and the first It may include at least one of an APN address field into which an APN address is inserted, a communication service provider identification field into which the operator identification information is inserted, and a message definition field to identify a message for registration or deletion of the first APN address.

Specifically, the edge computing management device includes the number of virtual gateways based on the data traffic monitoring result between the terminal and the virtual gateway, the number of IP addresses that can be assigned to the terminal from the virtual gateway, and the data roaming service when providing the A management unit that adjusts at least one of a weight factor, which is a weight for selecting a virtual gateway, may be further included.

The operating method of the edge computing management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object creates a virtual gateway for a foreign communication service provider in an edge computing cloud of a visited network (VPLMN), and accesses related to the virtual gateway. A generating step of allocating information; And when a terminal accesses the visited network to use a data roaming service, registering the access information with the visited network so that a session for transferring data traffic can be formed between the terminal and the virtual gateway according to the access information. It characterized in that it comprises a registration step.

Specifically, in the generating step, a first APN address, which is an APN address in the visited network to the foreign communication service provider, and an IP address mapped to the first APN address are allocated to the virtual gateway to the edge computing cloud. Can be created.

Specifically, in the registration step, the first APN address is matched with the operator identification information of the foreign communication service provider and registered in the Mobility Management Entity (MME) of the visited network, and a Domain Name System (DNS) server of the visited network In may register mapping information between the first APN address and the IP address.

Specifically, the MME, when the operator identification information of the foreign communication service provider is confirmed from the terminal connected to the visited network, the APN address in the home network (HPLMN) of the foreign communication service provider requested by the terminal. 2 Instead of the APN address, an IP address matching the first APN address may be obtained from the DNS server to form a session between the terminal and the virtual gateway.

Specifically, when the access of the terminal to the visited network is confirmed, the MME authenticates the terminal in connection with the overseas communication service provider's home network (HPLMN), and when authentication for the terminal is completed, the terminal 1 An IP address matching the APN address may be obtained from the DNS server to form a session between the terminal and the virtual gateway.

Accordingly, according to the operating method of the edge computing management device and the edge computing management device of the present invention, the edge computing cloud (MEC Cloud) existing in the visited network (VPLMN) according to the application of the edge computing (Multi-Access Edge Computing) technology. By providing a data roaming service to a terminal entering a visited network (VPLMN) by utilizing, the quality of data traffic can be guaranteed regardless of the distance between countries and the quality of the interworking network.

1 is an exemplary diagram showing a data roaming service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is an exemplary diagram for explaining a data roaming service environment according to the prior art.
3 is an exemplary diagram specifically illustrating a data roaming service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an edge computing management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary diagram for 4G and for explaining a data roaming service procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is an exemplary diagram for explaining a message structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an edge computing management apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a data roaming service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An embodiment of the present invention deals with a multi-access edge computing (MEC) technology for providing a data roaming service using an edge computing cloud (MEC Cloud) existing in a communication service provider network.

Here, in the communication service provider network, the home network (HPLMN, Home Public Land Mobile Network), which is the service area of the overseas communication service provider, and the terminal subscribed to the communication service of the foreign communication service provider, roam data outside the service area of the home network (HPLMN). It can be classified into a visited network (VPLMN, Visit Public Land Mobile Network) that uses the service.

In addition, the communication service provider network may include all communication networks to which edge computing (MEC) technology is applicable, but in an embodiment of the present invention, an LTE (4G) communication system will be described as an example.

Thus, as shown in Fig. 1, the data roaming service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided in the edge computing cloud 30 existing in the visited network (VPLMN) according to the application of edge computing (MEC) technology. It may include an edge computing management device 20 (MEO, MEC Orchestrator) that generates a virtual gateway (vPGW) of a foreign communication service provider for the data roaming service of 10).

Here, the terminal 10 is an inbound terminal that has subscribed to a communication service of a foreign communication service provider, and a virtual gateway (vPGW) of a foreign communication service provider created in the edge computing cloud 30 according to the entry into the service area of the visited network (VPLMN). Data roaming service can be provided through.

That is, in the case of an embodiment of the present invention, when providing a data roaming service, data traffic of the terminal 10 is different from the prior art in which the data traffic of the terminal 10 is serviced via a PGW (PDN Gateway) located in the home network (HPLMN) of a foreign communication service provider. , It is largely distinguished in that it passes through a virtual gateway (vPGW) created in the edge computing cloud 30 of the visited network (VPLMN).

In this regard, FIG. 2 schematically shows a conventional data roaming service environment.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a conventional data roaming service environment, when the terminal 10 accesses the visited network (VPLMN), the mobility management entity (MME) 40 of the visited network (VPLMN) is After completing the authentication in connection with HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 70 located in the HPLMN, SGW (Serving Gateway) 60 of the visiting network (VPLMN) and the PGW located in the home network (HPLMN) of the overseas communication service provider (HPLMN) A data roaming service for the terminal 10 can be provided by forming a session for transmitting data traffic between the Home Subscriber Server 70).

As described above, in the conventional data roaming service environment, the data traffic of the terminal 10 entering the visited network (VPLMN) must be serviced through the PGW 70 located in the home network (HPLMN) of the overseas communication service provider. It has a problem that the quality of data traffic is not guaranteed at all depending on the distance between countries and the quality of the interworking network.

On the other hand, FIG. 3 shows a data roaming service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the data roaming service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the terminal 10 accesses the visited network (VPLMN), the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN) communicates abroad. Authentication is performed in connection with HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 70 located in the operator's home network (HPLMN), and when authentication for the terminal 10 is completed, the Serving Gateway (SGW) 60 of the visited network (VPLMN) and the edge Data roaming service of the terminal 10 through the virtual gateway (vPGW) of the foreign communication service provider becomes possible by forming a session for transmitting data traffic between the virtual gateway (vPGW) of the foreign communication service provider created in the computing cloud 30. will be.

As described above, in the data roaming service environment according to an embodiment of the present invention, unlike the conventional technology in which data traffic of the terminal 10 is serviced via a PGW (PDN Gateway) located in a home network (HPLMN) of a foreign communication service provider. , It can be seen that the virtual gateway (vPGW) created in the edge computing cloud 30 of the visited network (VPLMN) is passed.

However, in order to provide a data roaming service for the terminal 10 through the virtual gateway (vPGW) created in the edge computing cloud 30 as described above, a virtual gateway (vPGW) of a foreign communication service provider is installed in the edge computing cloud 30. The procedure of generating and registering related information in the MME 40 and the Domain Name System (DNS) server 50 of the visited network (VPLMN) must be preceded.

Accordingly, hereinafter, a virtual gateway (vPGW) for foreign telecommunications operators is created in the edge computing cloud 30 existing in the visited network (VPLMN), and related information is transmitted to the MME 40 and the DNS server of the visited network (VPLMN). The configuration of the edge computing management device 20 for registration in (50) will be described in more detail.

4 schematically shows the configuration of the edge computing management apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the edge computing management apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a generation unit 21 for generating a virtual gateway (vPGW) for an overseas communication service provider, and a virtual gateway (vPGW). It may have a configuration including a registration unit 22 that registers in a visited network (VPLMN).

In addition, the edge computing management apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a management unit 23 that manages data traffic according to data roaming service use, in addition to the above-described configuration.

The entire configuration or at least a part of the configuration of the edge computing management apparatus 20 may be implemented in the form of a hardware module or a software module, or may be implemented in a form in which a hardware module and a software module are combined.

Here, the software module may be understood as, for example, an instruction executed by a processor that processes an operation in the edge computing management device 20, and these instructions are mounted in a separate memory in the edge computing management device 20. It can have a shape.

On the other hand, the edge computing management apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, is a communication unit 24, which is an RF module responsible for a practical communication function with network configurations in a foreign communication service provider and a visited network (VPLMN). ) May have a configuration that further includes.

Here, the communication unit 24 includes, for example, an antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner, one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a codec chipset, and a memory, but is not limited thereto. Any known circuit to perform may be included.

The edge computing management apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention creates a virtual gateway (vPGW) for overseas communication service providers in the edge computing cloud 30 existing in the visited network (VPLMN) through the above-described configuration. , It enables a data roaming service via a virtual gateway (vPGW). Hereinafter, each configuration in the edge computing management apparatus 20 for realizing this will be described in more detail.

The generation unit 21 performs a function of generating a virtual gateway (vPGW) for an overseas communication service provider.

More specifically, the generation unit 21 allocates access information from the edge computing cloud 30 to the overseas communication service provider in response to a virtual gateway (vPGW) generation request from an overseas communication service provider, and the edge computing cloud 30 A virtual gateway (vPGW) matching the access information assigned to is created.

To this end, the generation unit 21 provides a user interface (UI) related to the creation of a virtual gateway (vPGW) to an overseas communication service provider, and allows the overseas communication service provider to provide information necessary for creating a virtual gateway (vPGW) through this UI. Make it possible to fill out.

Here, as the information required to create a virtual gateway (vPGW), for example, CPU, Memory, Interface, Network acceleration support (PCI-PT or SR-IOV or DPDK), and virtual gateway (vPGW) for the virtual gateway (vPGW). Network topology information between the VNFCs to be configured may be included.

On the other hand, in the access information in the edge computing cloud 30 allocated to the overseas communication service provider, the APN (Access Point Name) address (hereinafter, the first APN address) in the visited network (VPLMN) for the overseas communication service provider and , An IP address mapped to the first APN address may be included.

Accordingly, the generation unit 21 sets the first APN address in the visited network (VPLMN) to the overseas communication service provider and the IP address mapped to the first APN address in response to a request to create a virtual gateway (vPGW) from an overseas communication service provider. By allocating, it is possible to create a virtual gateway (vPGW) for processing data roaming services for overseas communication service providers on the edge computing cloud 30.

At this time, in the IP address allocated to the overseas communication service provider, an IP address that matches one-to-one with the first APN address assigned to the overseas communication service provider, and the terminal connected to the virtual gateway (vPGW) during the data roaming service process. A pool of IP addresses, which is a plurality of IP addresses, may be included.

In addition, as described above, the first APN address and IP address pool allocated to the overseas telecommunications service provider is injected into the virtual gateway (vPGW) in the process of creating the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30. It should be.

In this case, the injection method is, for example, a method using Cloud-init, which is a standard framework for injecting additional information into the VM, and the first APN address when the virtual gateway (vPGW) operates based on a container. Injecting the first APN address and IP address pool by using a method of creating and mounting a light volume including an IP address pool and a separate API provided by a virtual gateway (vPGW). The method of doing so can be applied.

Meanwhile, for overseas communication service providers, not only the first APN address, which is the APN address of the virtual gateway (vPGW) existing in the edge computing cloud 30 of the visited network (VPLMN), as described above, but also the overseas communication mentioned in FIG. It may be referred to later that a second APN address, which is an APN address for the PGW 80 existing in the operator's home network (HPLMN), is allocated.

In FIG. 5, a procedure for generating a virtual gateway (vPGW) for an overseas communication service provider by the generation unit 21 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be exemplarily confirmed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when a virtual gateway (vPGW) generation is requested from an overseas communication service provider, the first APN address in the visited network (VPLMN) for the foreign communication service provider according to the request And by allocating an IP address mapped to the first APN address, a virtual gateway (vPGW) for processing a data roaming service for a foreign communication service provider on the edge computing cloud 30 can be created (ac).

The registration unit 22 performs a function of registering a virtual gateway (vPGW) of an overseas communication service provider.

More specifically, when the creation of a virtual gateway (vPGW) for an overseas communication service provider is completed, the registration unit 22 registers access information of the virtual gateway (vPGW) in the visited network (VPLMN).

That is, when the registration unit 22 registers the access information of the virtual gateway (vPGW) created for the overseas communication service provider in the visited network (VPLMN), the terminal 10 is connected to the visited network to use the data roaming service. A session for transmitting data traffic can be formed between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 according to the access information registered in the visited network (VPLMN).

To this end, the registration unit 22 registers a first APN address, which is a virtual gateway (vPGW) address of an overseas communication service provider, in the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN), and between the first APN address and the IP address mapped thereto. The mapping information is registered in the DNS server 50 of the visited network (VPLMN).

At this time, in the process of registering the first APN address with the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN), the registration unit 22 matches the first APN address with the business identification information (eg, MMC, MMC) of the foreign communication service provider. Register.

In this way, registering the first APN address by matching the first APN address to the business identification information (eg, MMC, MMC) of the overseas communication service provider causes the MME 40 to access the foreign communication service provider from the terminal 10 connected to the visited network (VPLMN). If the operator identification information (e.g., MMC, MMC) of the terminal 10 is confirmed, the second APN address, which is the APN address in the home network (HPLMN) of the foreign communication service provider requested by the terminal 10, is rejected, and instead This is to obtain an IP address matching the first APN address from the DNS server 50, and to form a session for data traffic transfer between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30.

Here, in the case of the MME 40, when the connection of the terminal 10 to the visited network (VPLMN) is confirmed, as mentioned above, the HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 70 located in the home network (HPLMN) of the overseas communication service provider. A foreign communication service provider created in the SGW (Serving Gateway) 60 of the visited network (VPLMN) and the edge computing cloud 30 when the authentication is performed for the terminal 10 in connection with the terminal 10, and when the authentication for the terminal 10 is completed. The data roaming service of the terminal 10 through the virtual gateway (vPGW) of a foreign communication service provider can be made possible by forming a session for transmitting data traffic between the virtual gateways (vPGW) of.

In this regard, in FIG. 5 exemplified above, a procedure in which the registration unit 22 registers a virtual gateway (vPGW) with a visited network (VPLMN) to provide a data roaming service for the terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Can be confirmed as an example.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the creation of a virtual gateway (vPGW) for an overseas communication service provider is completed through the preceding procedures a to c, the registration unit 22 is the first virtual gateway (vPGW) address of the foreign communication service provider. The APN address is matched with the business identification information (e.g., MMC, MMC) of the overseas communication service provider, registered in the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN), and mapping information between the first APN address and the IP address mapped to the visited network ( VPLMN) is registered in the DNS server 50 (de).

In this case, when the access of the terminal 10 to the visited network (VPLMN) is confirmed, the MME 40 connects with the HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 70 located in the home network (HPLMN) of the overseas communication service provider to the terminal ( 10) authentication is performed, and upon completion of authentication for the terminal 10, the second APN address, which is the APN address in the home network (HPLMN) of the foreign communication service provider, requested by the terminal 10 is rejected. Instead, by obtaining an IP address matching the first APN address from the DNS server 50 and forming a session between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30, data through the session It enables data traffic to be transmitted according to the use of roaming service.

On the other hand, the registration unit 22 not only registers the first APN address in the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN), but also deletes it in reverse, and for this purpose, a GPRS Tunneling Protocol-Control (GTP-C) message is sent. It transmits and receives with the MME 40.

In the case of such a GTP-C message, for example, it may be defined using a '142-148' allocated for future usage of'MME to MME' or a '248-255' area allocated to the'Others' area.

In this regard, in FIG. 6, the structure of a GTP-C message according to an embodiment of the present invention can be exemplarily confirmed.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the case of a GTP-C message according to an embodiment of the present invention, a message type field for distinguishing transmission or reception of a message to the MME 40, and an APN address field in which a first APN address is inserted. , By being defined to include a communication service provider identification field into which the operator identification information (eg, MCC, MNC) is inserted, and a message definition field for distinguishing that the message is for registration or deletion of the first APN address, the first APN address It is possible not only to register in the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN), but also to delete it on the contrary.

The management unit 23 performs a function of managing data traffic according to the use of the data roaming service.

More specifically, after the session formation between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30, the management unit 23 monitors the data traffic according to the use of the roaming service, and Processes the settlement of roaming data.

In addition, the management unit 23 adjusts (In/Out) the scale of the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 according to the data traffic monitoring result, or the DNS weight factor for the DNS server 50. Factor).

Here, adjusting the scale (In/Out) of the virtual gateway (vPGW) means that the processing capability of the foreign communication service provider's virtual gateway (vPGW) is adjusted according to the load level of data traffic caused by the use of roaming service. As for example, it can be understood as allowing more terminals to access by expanding a virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30, or vice versa.

In addition, adjusting the DNS weight factor for the DNS server 50 means, for example, when the MME 40 selects and returns an IP address matching the first APN address, the edge computing cloud 30 The weight of each virtual gateway (vPGW) for selecting one of the virtual gateways (vPGW) created for overseas communication service providers is adjusted, or the capacity of the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 is exceeded. If the above terminal access is not allowed, the weight of the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 is set very low so that the IP address of the PGW 80 located in the home network (HLMN) of the overseas communication service provider is returned. It can be understood as an operation such as doing.

In this regard, in FIG. 5 exemplified above, a procedure for the management unit 23 to manage data traffic according to the use of the data roaming service according to an embodiment of the present invention may be exemplarily confirmed.

That is, as shown in FIG. 5, after the session is formed between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 through the above procedures c to k, the management unit 23 By monitoring traffic, it is possible to process the settlement of roaming data with overseas telecommunications operators according to the monitoring result (lm).

In addition, the management unit 23 adjusts (In/Out) the scale of the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 by reflecting the monitoring result in step l, or the DNS weight factor for the DNS server 50 By adjusting the (Weight Factor), the quality of the data roaming service provided by the visited network (VPLMN) is managed.

As described above, according to the configuration of the edge computing management device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, edge computing that exists in a visited network (VPLMN) according to the application of an edge computing (MEC, Multi-Access Edge Computing) technology It can be seen that by using the cloud 30 to provide a data roaming service to the terminal 10 entering the visited network (VPLMN), the quality of data traffic can be guaranteed regardless of the distance between countries and the quality of the interlocking network. have.

Hereinafter, a method of operating the edge computing management apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

First, the generation unit 21 allocates access information from the edge computing cloud 30 to the overseas communication service provider in response to a request to create a virtual gateway (vPGW) from an overseas communication service provider, and allocates it to the edge computing cloud 30. A virtual gateway (vPGW) matching the established access information is created (S10-S30).

As described above, the access information in the edge computing cloud 30 allocated to the overseas communication service provider includes an APN (Access Point Name) address (hereinafter, referred to as the first APN address) in the visited network (VPLMN) for the overseas communication service provider. An IP address mapped to the first APN address may be included.

Accordingly, the generation unit 21 sets the first APN address in the visited network (VPLMN) to the overseas communication service provider and the IP address mapped to the first APN address in response to a request to create a virtual gateway (vPGW) from an overseas communication service provider. By allocating, it is possible to create a virtual gateway (vPGW) for processing data roaming services for overseas communication service providers on the edge computing cloud 30.

At this time, in the IP address allocated to the overseas communication service provider, an IP address that matches one-to-one with the first APN address assigned to the overseas communication service provider, and the terminal connected to the virtual gateway (vPGW) during the data roaming service process. A pool of IP addresses, which is a plurality of IP addresses, may be included.

Then, when the generation of the virtual gateway (vPGW) for the overseas communication service provider is completed, the registration unit 22 registers the access information of the virtual gateway (vPGW) in the visited network (VPLMN) (S40).

That is, when the registration unit 22 registers the access information of the virtual gateway (vPGW) created for the overseas communication service provider in the visited network (VPLMN), the terminal 10 is connected to the visited network to use the data roaming service. A session for transmitting data traffic can be formed between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 according to the access information registered in the visited network (VPLMN).

To this end, the registration unit 22 registers a first APN address, which is a virtual gateway (vPGW) address of an overseas communication service provider, in the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN), and between the first APN address and the IP address mapped thereto. The mapping information is registered in the DNS server 50 of the visited network (VPLMN).

At this time, in the process of registering the first APN address with the MME 40 of the visited network (VPLMN), the registration unit 22 matches the first APN address with the business identification information (eg, MMC, MMC) of the foreign communication service provider. Register.

In this way, registering the first APN address by matching the first APN address to the business identification information (eg, MMC, MMC) of the overseas communication service provider causes the MME 40 to access the foreign communication service provider from the terminal 10 connected to the visited network (VPLMN). If the operator identification information (e.g., MMC, MMC) of the terminal 10 is confirmed, the second APN address, which is the APN address in the home network (HPLMN) of the foreign communication service provider requested by the terminal 10, is rejected, and instead This is to obtain an IP address matching the first APN address from the DNS server 50, and to form a session for data traffic transfer between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30.

Here, in the case of the MME 40, when the connection of the terminal 10 to the visited network (VPLMN) is confirmed, as mentioned above, the HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 70 located in the home network (HPLMN) of the overseas communication service provider. A foreign communication service provider created in the SGW (Serving Gateway) 60 of the visited network (VPLMN) and the edge computing cloud 30 when the authentication is performed for the terminal 10 in connection with the terminal 10, and when the authentication for the terminal 10 is completed. The data roaming service of the terminal 10 through the virtual gateway (vPGW) of a foreign communication service provider can be made possible by forming a session for transmitting data traffic between the virtual gateways (vPGW) of.

Thereafter, the management unit 23 manages data traffic according to the use of the roaming service after the session is formed between the terminal 10 and the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 (S50).

In this case, the management unit 23 may monitor data traffic according to the use of the roaming service, and process the settlement of the roaming data with the overseas communication service provider according to the monitoring result.

In addition, the management unit 23 adjusts (In/Out) the scale of the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 according to the data traffic monitoring result, or the DNS weight factor for the DNS server 50. Factor).

Here, adjusting the scale (In/Out) of the virtual gateway (vPGW) means that the processing capability of the foreign communication service provider's virtual gateway (vPGW) is adjusted according to the load level of data traffic caused by the use of roaming service. For example, it can be understood as allowing more terminals to access by expanding a virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30, or vice versa.

In addition, adjusting the DNS weight factor for the DNS server 50 means, for example, when the MME 40 selects and returns an IP address matching the first APN address, the edge computing cloud 30 The weight of each virtual gateway (vPGW) for selecting one of the virtual gateways (vPGW) created for overseas communication service providers is adjusted, or the capacity of the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 is exceeded. If the above terminal access is not allowed, the weight of the virtual gateway (vPGW) on the edge computing cloud 30 is set very low so that the IP address of the PGW 80 located in the home network (HLMN) of the overseas communication service provider is returned. It can be understood as an operation such as doing.

As described above, according to the operating method of the edge computing management device 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the edge existing in the visited network (VPLMN) according to the application of the edge computing (MEC, Multi-Access Edge Computing) technology It has been found that by using the computing cloud 30 to provide a data roaming service to the terminal 10 entering the visited network (VPLMN), the quality of data traffic can be guaranteed regardless of the distance between countries and the quality of the interlocking network. I can.

Meanwhile, the operating method of the edge computing management apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in the form of a program command that can be executed through various computer means and recorded in a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like alone or in combination. The program instructions recorded in the medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention, or may be known and usable to those skilled in computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, and magnetic media such as floptical disks. -A hardware device specially configured to store and execute program instructions such as magneto-optical media, and ROM, RAM, flash memory, and the like. Examples of program instructions include not only machine language codes such as those produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter or the like. The hardware device described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operation of the present invention, and vice versa.

Until now, the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the technical field to which the present invention belongs without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the following claims. Anyone of ordinary skill in the art will say that the technical idea of the present invention extends to the range in which various modifications or modifications are possible.

According to the operating method of the edge computing management device and the edge computing management device according to the present invention, a data roaming service can be provided using an edge computing cloud (MEC Cloud) existing in a communication service provider's network, which is a limitation of the existing technology. It is an invention that has industrial applicability because it is not only the use of the related technology, but also the possibility of marketing or sales of the applied device is sufficient, as well as the degree to be practically obvious.

10: terminal
20: edge computing management device
21: generation unit 22: registration unit
23: Management Department
30: Edge Computing Cloud

Claims (12)

A generation unit that creates a virtual gateway for another communication service provider in an edge computing cloud of a visited network (VPLMN) and allocates access information related to the virtual gateway; And
When the terminal accesses the visited network to use the data roaming service, the connection is made to form a session for transferring data traffic between the terminal and the virtual gateway according to the access information in the mobility management entity (MME) of the visited network. It includes a registration unit for registering information in the visited network,
The generation unit,
Allocating a first APN address, which is an APN address in the visited network to the other communication service provider, and an IP address mapped to the first APN address, and creating the virtual gateway in the edge computing cloud,
The MME,
Between the terminal and the virtual gateway by using an IP address matching the first APN address instead of the second APN address, which is an APN address in the home network (HPLMN) of the other communication service provider, requested by the terminal connected to the visited network. Edge computing management device, characterized in that to form a session. The method of claim 1,
The registration unit,
The first APN address is matched with the operator identification information of the other communication service provider and registered in the MME, and the mapping information between the first APN address and the IP address is registered in the DNS (Domain Name System) server of the visited network. Edge computing management device, characterized in that. The method of claim 2,
The MME,
When the operator identification information of the other communication service provider is confirmed from the terminal connected to the visited network, an IP address matching the first APN address is obtained from the DNS server. The method of claim 1,
The MME,
When the connection of the terminal to the visited network is confirmed, the terminal is authenticated in connection with the home network (HPLMN) of the other communication service provider, and when authentication for the terminal is completed, a session between the terminal and the virtual gateway is established. Edge computing management device, characterized in that to form. The method of claim 1,
The registration unit,
Transmitting and receiving a GTP-C (GPRS Tunneling Protocol-Control) message with the MME,
The GTP-C message,
A message type field for distinguishing transmission or reception of a message to the MME, an APN address field into which the first APN address is inserted, a communication service provider identification field into which the operator identification information is inserted, and registration or deletion of the first APN address Edge computing management apparatus comprising at least one of a message definition field for distinguishing that the message is for. The method of claim 1,
The edge computing management device,
Based on the data traffic monitoring result between the terminal and the virtual gateway, the number of virtual gateways, the number of IP addresses that can be allocated to the terminal from the virtual gateway, and a weight factor that is a weight for selecting the virtual gateway when providing data roaming service Edge computing management device, characterized in that it further comprises a management unit for adjusting at least one of (Weight Factor). A generating step of creating a virtual gateway for another communication service provider in an edge computing cloud of a visited network (VPLMN) and allocating access information related to the virtual gateway; And
When the terminal accesses the visited network to use the data roaming service, the connection is made to form a session for transferring data traffic between the terminal and the virtual gateway according to the access information in the mobility management entity (MME) of the visited network. Including a registration step of registering information in the visited network,
The generation step,
Allocating a first APN address, which is an APN address in the visited network to the other communication service provider, and an IP address mapped to the first APN address, and creating the virtual gateway in the edge computing cloud,
The MME,
Between the terminal and the virtual gateway by using an IP address matching the first APN address instead of the second APN address, which is an APN address in the home network (HPLMN) of the other communication service provider, requested by the terminal connected to the visited network. An operating method of an edge computing management device, characterized in that forming a session. The method of claim 7,
The registration step,
The first APN address is matched with the operator identification information of the other communication service provider and registered in the MME, and the mapping information between the first APN address and the IP address is registered in the DNS (Domain Name System) server of the visited network. The operating method of the edge computing management device, characterized in that. The method of claim 8,
The MME,
When the operator identification information of the other communication service provider is confirmed from the terminal connected to the visited network, an IP address matching the first APN address is obtained from the DNS server. . The method of claim 7,
The MME,
When the connection of the terminal to the visited network is confirmed, the terminal is authenticated in connection with the home network (HPLMN) of the other communication service provider, and when authentication for the terminal is completed, a session between the terminal and the virtual gateway is established. The operating method of the edge computing management device, characterized in that to form. The method of claim 7,
The registration step,
Transmitting and receiving a GTP-C (GPRS Tunneling Protocol-Control) message with the MME,
The GTP-C message,
A message type field for distinguishing transmission or reception of a message to the MME, an APN address field into which the first APN address is inserted, a communication service provider identification field into which the operator identification information is inserted, and registration or deletion of the first APN address A method of operating an edge computing management apparatus, comprising at least one of a message definition field for distinguishing that the message is a message for. The method of claim 7,
The above method,
Based on the data traffic monitoring result between the terminal and the virtual gateway, the number of virtual gateways, the number of IP addresses that can be allocated to the terminal from the virtual gateway, and a weight factor that is a weight for selecting the virtual gateway when providing data roaming service The operating method of the edge computing management apparatus, characterized in that it further comprises a management step of adjusting at least one of (Weight Factor).

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