5G-ERA Middleware

The repository contains the middleware system applications of the 5G-ERA project. Visit the 5G ERA project website for more information. https://5g-era.eu

The 5G-ERA project was developed by the following partners under the consortium with funding of the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101016681.

For workshops demostrations and tutorials visit our Youtube Channel

What is 5G-ERA Middleware

5G-ERA Middleware is the Orchestration software responsible for linking vertical applications managed by ROS (Robot Operating System), a 5G infrastructure managed by Open Source MANO (OSM) and the cloud-native network applications (NetApps). It realizes the 5G intent-based networking by utilizing the cloud-native design. The core principles and functionality of the Middleware cover the lifecycle management, recovery and error handling of the applications, and integration of the semantic planning into the orchestration process.

Where to start?

Please, for the very initial description, setup and configuration, follow

Design and Architecture

The 5G-ERA Middleware is designed to connect three layers of application networks. First, it combines the ROS network on which the Robot specific application runs with the resource layer network. The Kubernetes network is managed by the OSM and the SDN Controllers that are part of the resource enablement network. The Middleware mainly operates on the Kubernetes network layer, designed as a cloud-native application. The Middleware is built on the microservices architecture and consists of several components:

Gateway – It redirects the traffic across the Middleware system meaning rerouteing to the microservices within the system. It also handles the authentication and authorization process.
Action Planner – Integrating the semantic knowledge of the vertical into resource planning. It is part of the vertical level life cycle management implemented by the middleware.
Resource Planner – The resource Planner is responsible for assigning the placement example, on the cloud, Edge to the tasks.
Orchestrator – It orchestrates the process of the deployment of the resources. It is responsible for the vertical level lifecycle management of the deployed services
Redis Interface – Redis Interface allows the users to retrieve, insert and update data from/into the Redis-Server

The image below presents the conceptual architecture of the 5G-ERA Middleware and the connection between the associated services. The 5G-ERA Middleware has been designed to run in the Cloud and the Edge devices. Therefore, it can be always accessible and provide the best quality of service to the Robot by placement in the closest possible location.

Middleware architecture

The 5G-ERA Middleware connects to the Redis Cluster, which allows sharing of semantic knowledge between all the instances of the 5G-ERA Middleware running in every Cloud and Edge device.

Middleware API specification

The 5G-ERA Middleware has an OpenAPI specification that can be checked under this link.

Try the API with the custom python library link.

Using the 5G-ERA Middleware

To see how to deploy the 5G-ERA Middleware see the instructions in middleware deployment.

Developing the 5G-ERA Middleware

To see how to deploy the 5G-ERA Middleware development environment and how to contribute to the 5G-ERA development, see the instructions in CONTRIBUTING.md.

License

For the licensing information see LICENSE.