Layer-reuse aware optimization for efficient microservice migration in UAV edge systems

The integration of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with edge computing enables latency-sensitive services such as real-time video analytics and object detection. However, UAV mobility causes frequent network changes, requiring efficient microservice migration to maintain Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Existing strategies often overlook the layered structure of containers and the impact of layer reuse on provisioning time. This paper introduces a layer-aware optimization model for microservice migration in UAV-assisted edge environments. Using an optimization solver, the model jointly minimizes provisioning time, the number of migrations, and SLA violations by considering Docker layer reuse, registry selection, and end-to-end latency constraints. It provides optimal placement decisions that serve as a reliable baseline for future heuristic and learning-based approaches. Experimental results in UAV mobility scenarios demonstrate that the proposed model significantly reduces provisioning overhead through intelligent, layer-aware placement.