基于可编程网络的UPF边缘调度机制研究  

Research on Edge Scheduling Mechanism of UPF Based on Programmable Network

作　　者：李铭轩[1] 曹畅[1] 唐雄燕[1] 庞冉[2] 刘莹 刘秋妍 LI Mingxuan;CAO Chang;TANG Xiongyan;PANG Ran;LIU Ying;LIU Qiuyan(Department of Future Network Research,China Unicom Research Institute,Beijing 100048,China;Department of Network Technology Research,China Unicom Research Institute,Beijing 100048,China;Department of Wireless Technology Research,China Unicom Research Institute,Beijing 100048,China)

机构地区：[1]中国联通研究院,未来网络研究部,北京100048 [2]中国联通研究院,网络技术研究部,北京100048 [3]中国联通研究院,无线技术研究部,北京100048

出　　处：《数据与计算发展前沿》2022年第2期74-86,共13页Frontiers of Data & Computing

基　　金：国家重点研发计划(2019YFB1802600)。

摘　　要：【目的】介绍了基于可编程网络的UPF边缘调度机制,在开源网络操作系统中实现了网元功能和UPF网元统一调度。该方式旨在实现UPF网元下沉到边缘开放网络设备上,形成UPF网元在边缘场景下和可编程网络融合。现有的网络设备大多数只提供有限的网络接入方式和网络功能,面向边缘场景多样性需求,现有的网络接入和资源调度方式难以满足场景需求。【方法】从目前主流的开源网络操作系统SONiC出发,基于容器技术实现网络功能的编排调度能力以及UPF的集成方法,阐述了以云原生方式来实现SONiC和UPF融合资源调度方案。【结果】基于该方案,实现了面向边缘场景下的UPF下沉到可编程网络设备上进行统一调度和管理,并且做了可行性分析。【局限】作为基于可编程网络的UPF边缘调度整体技术架构,实现了UPF网元在边缘侧的网络设备上的部署和调度,如何通过UPF网元N4接口的开放和解耦来实现远程管理,通过该方案如何构建确定性网络以及云边协同的算力资源管理是其下一步需要解决的重要问题。【结论】基于可编程网络的UPF边缘调度方案可以广泛应用于物联网、车联网、智慧城市等领域,进一步增强了边缘侧的网络开放能力和算力调度能力,有助于解决我国智能产业领域在边缘侧的网络连接能力和算力不足等现实问题。[Objective]This paper introduces an edge scheduling mechanism of UPF based on a programmable network which realizes unified scheduling of the network element function and UPF in the opensource network operating system.This method aims to sink the UPF to the edge open network equipment,forming the integration of UPF network elements and the programmable network in the edge scenario.Most of the existing network devices provide only limited network access methods and network functions and fail to satisfy the diverse needs of edge scenarios.[Methods]Starting from the SONiC,which is the mainstream open-source network operation,based on the container technology to realize the scheduling capabilities of network functions and the integration method of UPF,the cloud-native way to realize the integration of resource scheduling scheme of SONiC and UPF is explained.[Results]Based on this solution,the UPF is sinking to the programmable network device for unified scheduling and management in the edge scenario.The feasibility analysis of the mechanism is done.[Limitations]As the overall technical architecture of UPF edge scheduling based on programmable networks,it realizes the deployment and scheduling of UPF network elements on the edge side network equipment.How to realize remote management and how to build a deterministic network and achieve cloud-side collaborative computing resource management through this solution are still open issues to be solved.[Conclusions]The UPF edge dispatching scheme based on the programmable network can be widely used in the Internet of Things,Internet of Vehicles,smart cities,and other fields,further enhancing openness and computing power dispatching ability of the network on the edge side,and solving the edge-side practical problems such as lack of network connectivity and computing power faced by the intelligent industry.

关 键 词：可编程网络 容器技术 UPF 边缘计算 

分 类 号：TN929.5[电子电信—通信与信息系统]