# Integrating Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) into Open 5G Core
## 3 Related Work  
[PERSON] et al. (2020) [31] presents an architecture for MEC and 5G based on the Distributed Autonomous Slice Management (DASMO) architecture [32]. The proposal is based on a single-domain paradigm; however, it can be extended to a multi-domain scenario with the addition of another software component, as outlined in the paper. Despite the detailed proposal, there is no discussion of the validation of the presented architecture, leaving a gap in the research. [PERSON] and [PERSON] propose a management and orchestration architecture for NS [23]. This architecture divides a complete network slice into smaller parts where Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) can be deployed. They present two models: in-slice and multi-tenancy, differentiated by the MEP instantiation. In the in-slice model, the MEP is instantiated within the slice, while, in the multi-tenancy model, a shared MEP exists outside the slice. The MEP communicates with the 5G network to create traffic steering policies through direct communication with the core network's Packet Control Function (PCF) or via the Network Exposure Function (NEF). The work aims to enable the MEC architecture to support NS and was validated using OpenAirInterface (OAI) with adaptations to the core network for communication with the MEP via Mp2. [PERSON] et al. propose an integration architecture between the 5 GS and the MEC architecture [16]. In this structure, the MEC orchestrator can directly interact with the NEF and, in some cases, other functions within the 5 GS. The primary focus is integrating the two systems through the No interface, which connects to the User Plane Function (UPF). For the MEC, the UPF is considered to be distributed and configurable, and, in some deployments, it can be local and a part of its architecture. The article by [PERSON] et al. [33] presents an innovative architecture that integrates the O-RAN platform, Self-Organizing Network (SON), MEC, and NS. The proposal is based on the near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller (near-RT RIC) from the O-RAN platform, with modifications to unify all these technologies into a single component called Integrated near-RT RIC (I-near-RT RIC). MEC applications are implemented as xApps within the O-RAN platform. Although it is a conceptual proposal, it has not been validated in a testbed. Table 1 represents the comparison between this work and the related works based on the defined criteria:  
* Proposal for 5G-MEC Integration--A proposal for integration is presented. * Integration through Service--Whether the proposed integration is implemented as a service. * Integration through New Architecture--Whether the integration proposal is made through changes to existing architecture or the creation of new ones. * Validation of Proposal--Whether the proposal has been validated. * Validation with 5 GC SA--Is there any validation with the 5G-SA network core? The first aspect examined deals with the central theme of this study, which is also analyzed in the works mentioned above. It is clear that some of these papers are not just limited to integrating MEC with 5G but also consider other technologies, such as SON in [33]. Therefore, all the papers discussed in this analysis present proposals involving 5G-MEC integration, but they are differentiated by their approaches. The studies evaluated different integration approaches, including proposing new architectures for this integration. This study stands out for proposing a service as a solution, while other works focused on creating new architectures or adapting existing ones. For instance, one study utilized the DASMO architecture as a foundation, reusing key concepts, while another developed a new architecture based on public knowledge of O-RAN [31,33]. Overall, a commonality among all the works is the direct communication of the MEP with the network core's CP via the MP2 interface. Finally, we examined whether the proposals in these papers have been validated.