# A Survey on Mobile Edge Networks: Convergence of Computing, Caching and Communications

## TL;DR

This survey reviews the latest research on mobile edge networks, focusing on their architecture, computing, caching, communication techniques, applications, and future challenges in bringing network functions closer to users.

## Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of mobile edge networks, integrating recent advances in cloud, SDN/NFV, and smart devices, and discusses open research challenges.

## Key findings

- Mobile edge networks reduce latency and backhaul load.
- Integration of cloud, SDN/NFV enhances network flexibility.
- Identifies key challenges and future research directions.

## Abstract

As the explosive growth of smart devices and the advent of many new applications, traffic volume has been growing exponentially. The traditional centralized network architecture cannot accommodate such user demands due to heavy burden on the backhaul links and long latency. Therefore, new architectures which bring network functions and contents to the network edge are proposed, i.e., mobile edge computing and caching. Mobile edge networks provide cloud computing and caching capabilities at the edge of cellular networks. In this survey, we make an exhaustive review on the state-of-the-art research efforts on mobile edge networks. We first give an overview of mobile edge networks including definition, architecture and advantages. Next, a comprehensive survey of issues on computing, caching and communication techniques at the network edge is presented respectively. The applications and use cases of mobile edge networks are discussed. Subsequently, the key enablers of mobile edge networks such as cloud technology, SDN/NFV and smart devices are discussed. Finally, open research challenges and future directions are presented as well.