Multi-Round Stackelberg Game-Based Pricing and Offloading in Containerized MEC Networks

Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) tackles the challenges associated with the rapid proliferation of User Equipment (UE) and limited computing resources. Containerization, essential for MEC deployments, encapsulates applications and dependencies, optimizing resource utilization. In containerized MEC networks, UEs offload computational tasks to edge server containers, enabling service providers to profit from offering scalable and portable services, thereby establishing a symbiotic economic ecosystem. However, traditional models, which often separate cost and delay assessments, fail to consider these factors holistically. Furthermore, they underutilize the potential of container images’ hierarchical structure, which could optimize storage and reduce costs. Our research introduces a novel multi-round Stackelberg game framework that incorporates the hierarchical structure of container images to enhance resource management in MEC networks. Additionally, we integrate discount rates to model long-term economic interactions accurately, and develop two innovative algorithms: the Distributed Ant Colony Pricing (DACP) and the Multi-Round Simulated Annealing Pricing (MRSAP). These algorithms account for both immediate and long-term impacts, redefining user utility and significantly improving system efficiency. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of our algorithms in optimizing resource allocation and enhancing efficiency in dynamic MEC scenarios.