Open Source Software for Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC)

When a new technology change happens, you can immediately see some open source communities mushrooming to solve the challenges through software. Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) isn't an exception. Acknowledging the importance of edge computing infrastructure, Linux Foundation (LF) created an umbrella organization called LF Edge to host edge computing open source projects such as Akraino Edge Stack, EdgeX Foundry and Project EVE. In addition, consortiums such as OpenFog and Cloud Native Compute Foundation (CNCF) are creating reference framework and software stack for MEC deployments.  (Also read: 10 things that you should know about MEC)

This article captures information on open source communities developing MEC reference stack.

Community Name: Akraino Edge Stack

• Started in: 2018
• Description: Akraino Edge Stack aims to create an open source software stack that supports high-availability cloud services optimized for edge computing systems and applications. The Akraino Edge Stack is designed to improve the state of edge cloud infrastructure for enterprise edge, OTT edge, and carrier edge networks. It will offer users new levels of flexibility to scale edge cloud services quickly, to maximize the applications and functions supported at the edge, and to help ensure the reliability of systems that must be up at all times.
• Current Status: The community is planning to share the first software release in mid-2019.
• Key Drivers: ARM, AT&T, Baidu, Dell EMC, Ericsson, HP, Huawei, IBM, Intel, Juniper, Nokia, NTT, Qualcomm, Radisys, Redhat, Samsung.

Community Name: EdgeX Foundry

• Started in: 2018
• Description: EdgeX Foundry is an open source project that is building a common open platform for IoT edge computing. The interoperable platform enables an ecosystem of plug-and-play components that unifies the marketplace and accelerates the deployment of IoT solutions across a wide variety of industrial and enterprise use cases.
• Current Status: The community has about 50 members and has delivered 3 software releases so far.
• Key Drivers: Analog Devices, Dell EMC and Samsung.

Community Name: Project EVE

• Started in: 2018
• Description: Project EVE (Edge Virtualization Engine) provides a cloud-native based virtualization engine for developing and deploying containers for industrial edge computers. Project EVE is based on Zededa’s EVx edge virtualization engine, which currently runs on edge hardware from partners including Advantech, Lanner, SuperMicro, and Scalys.
• Current Status: The community was launched in Jan'19 and it is looking for partners to make the software available in first half of 2019.
• Key Drivers: Zededa.

Community Name: StarlingX

• Started in: 2018
• Description: StarlingX is a complete cloud infrastructure software stack for the edge used by the most demanding applications in industrial IOT, telecom, video delivery and other ultra-low latency use cases. It is supported by the Openstack Foundation (OSF)
• Current Status: The community launched its first software release in Oct 2018.
• Key Drivers: Intel and Windriver.

Community Name: ioFog

• Started in: 2018
• Description: ioFog makes it simple to deploy and manage any application or containerized microservices at the edge.  ioFog allows users to “bring their own edge” by enabling any device or hardware to become a secure software platform.
• Current Status: The community was launched by Edgeworx in Oct 2018.
• Key Drivers: Edgeworx
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Community Name: openVolcano

• Started in: 2017
• Description: The openVolcano platform aims at supporting mobile edge and fog computing services in 5G-ready infrastructures. It is part of Europe's Horizon 2020 5G-PPP projects. OpenVolcano platform provides in-network programmability capabilities for off-loading, virtualization and monitoring of services in a fog environment. 
• Current Status: The community hasn't launched any new software revisions since Mar 2018.
• Key Drivers: European Commission and European ICT industry (ICT manufacturers, telecommunications operators, service providers, SMEs and researcher Institutions). Horizon 2010 & 5G-PPP members (https://5g-ppp.eu).

In addition to the above open source communities for MEC, existing open source communities focusing on network virtualization such as OpenStack, M-CORD, OpenShift, ONAP and OPNFV are also competing to solve the MEC deployment, management and orchestration challenges.