SELFNET 5G mobile edge computing infrastructure: design and prototyping

This paper presents the design and prototype implementation of the SELFNET fifth-generation (5G) mobile edge infrastructure. In line with the current and emerging 5G architectural principles, visions, and standards, the proposed infrastructure is established primarily based on a mobile edge computing paradigm. It leverages cloud computing, software-defined networking, and network function virtualization as core enabling technologies. Several technical solutions and options have been analyzed. As a result, a novel portable 5G infrastructure testbed has been prototyped to enable the preliminary testing of the integrated key technologies and to provide a realistic execution platform for further investigating and evaluating software-defined networking– and network function virtualization–based application scenarios in 5G networks.