Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) is new paradigm in cloud computing by moving servers to the edge of the network nearer to users. This extends the traditional cloud infrastructure by additional nodes at placed at the edge of the network where computation, storage, and data analytics can happen near where the devices are. Moving the power of the cloud closer to the users is increasingly needed in this age where more and more devices require internet access, by WiFi or 5G in the very near future, causing a drastic increase of computation and bandwidth loads.

Edge cloudification with MEC hardware reduce the network traffic destined for a centralized cloud server location, thereby reducing bandwidth needed. Additional services can be further deployed to help to reduce cost of moving data around, such as utilizing content delivery network (CDN) and local caching, whilst offering a better experience for the users. Lower latencies offered by the closer proximity, enabling a wide range of exciting new applications such as high performance gaming, cloud gaming, real time VR/AR services, data analytics.

Leveraging technologies and experience from the cloud, MEC hardware are optimized for running virtual machines, and designed to fit into limited space with more compact form factor. This abstraction of hardware opens up the possibility of running commercial off the shelf equipment to provide a platform for various additional virtualized network appliances, as well as containing middleware to enable additional services. 5G is one of the hottest topics of 2020, and vRAN running on MEC can be integrated into the 5G ecosystem to allow for increased flexibility and scalability necessary for the wave of new 5G enabled devices that requires constant internet connection.