Future 6 G networks are envisioned as a network of networks (NoN) ecosystem, integrating communication and computing resources across multiple domains. At the deep edge, IoT and end-user devices will form subnetworks for local communication and distributed task processing. These subnetworks will seamlessly integrate into the NoN ecosystem, creating an IoT-edge-cloud continuum. The unified resources across this continuum facilitate dynamic and scalable task offloading, unlocking new possibilities to support emerging services, including critical vertical services with stringent reliability and deterministic service level requirements. In this context, this paper demonstrates that a deterministic approach to task offloading and resource (communication and computing) allocation in the IoT-edge-cloud continuum not only ensures deterministic service levels but also enhances scalability compared to existing task offloading and resource allocation methods. By flexibly managing task completion deadlines while maintaining deterministic (i.e. bounded latency) service levels, deterministic policies achieve a more balanced workload and resource distribution across the continuum, ultimately improving scalability.

翻译：未来6G网络被构想为一种网络之网络（NoN）生态体系，整合跨多个域的通信与计算资源。在深度边缘，物联网及终端设备将形成子网络，用于本地通信与分布式任务处理。这些子网络将无缝融入NoN生态体系，构建物联网-边缘-云连续体。该连续体内的统一资源促进了动态且可扩展的任务卸载，为支持新兴服务（包括具有严格可靠性及确定性服务水平要求的垂直关键服务）开辟了新可能。在此背景下，本文证明：在物联网-边缘-云连续体中，采用确定性的任务卸载与资源（通信与计算）分配方法，不仅能保障确定性服务水平，相较于现有任务卸载与资源分配方法，还可增强可扩展性。通过灵活管理任务完成截止时间并维持确定性（即有界延迟）服务水平，确定性策略能在连续体内实现更均衡的工作负载与资源分布，最终提升可扩展性。