765 research outputs found
Fog Computing: A Taxonomy, Survey and Future Directions
In recent years, the number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices/sensors has
increased to a great extent. To support the computational demand of real-time
latency-sensitive applications of largely geo-distributed IoT devices/sensors,
a new computing paradigm named "Fog computing" has been introduced. Generally,
Fog computing resides closer to the IoT devices/sensors and extends the
Cloud-based computing, storage and networking facilities. In this chapter, we
comprehensively analyse the challenges in Fogs acting as an intermediate layer
between IoT devices/ sensors and Cloud datacentres and review the current
developments in this field. We present a taxonomy of Fog computing according to
the identified challenges and its key features.We also map the existing works
to the taxonomy in order to identify current research gaps in the area of Fog
computing. Moreover, based on the observations, we propose future directions
for research
Introducing Development Features for Virtualized Network Services
Network virtualization and softwarizing network functions are trends aiming
at higher network efficiency, cost reduction and agility. They are driven by
the evolution in Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function
Virtualization (NFV). This shows that software will play an increasingly
important role within telecommunication services, which were previously
dominated by hardware appliances. Service providers can benefit from this, as
it enables faster introduction of new telecom services, combined with an agile
set of possibilities to optimize and fine-tune their operations. However, the
provided telecom services can only evolve if the adequate software tools are
available. In this article, we explain how the development, deployment and
maintenance of such an SDN/NFV-based telecom service puts specific requirements
on the platform providing it. A Software Development Kit (SDK) is introduced,
allowing service providers to adequately design, test and evaluate services
before they are deployed in production and also update them during their
lifetime. This continuous cycle between development and operations, a concept
known as DevOps, is a well known strategy in software development. To extend
its context further to SDN/NFV-based services, the functionalities provided by
traditional cloud platforms are not yet sufficient. By giving an overview of
the currently available tools and their limitations, the gaps in DevOps for
SDN/NFV services are highlighted. The benefit of such an SDK is illustrated by
a secure content delivery network service (enhanced with deep packet inspection
and elastic routing capabilities). With this use-case, the dynamics between
developing and deploying a service are further illustrated
Will SDN be part of 5G?
For many, this is no longer a valid question and the case is considered
settled with SDN/NFV (Software Defined Networking/Network Function
Virtualization) providing the inevitable innovation enablers solving many
outstanding management issues regarding 5G. However, given the monumental task
of softwarization of radio access network (RAN) while 5G is just around the
corner and some companies have started unveiling their 5G equipment already,
the concern is very realistic that we may only see some point solutions
involving SDN technology instead of a fully SDN-enabled RAN. This survey paper
identifies all important obstacles in the way and looks at the state of the art
of the relevant solutions. This survey is different from the previous surveys
on SDN-based RAN as it focuses on the salient problems and discusses solutions
proposed within and outside SDN literature. Our main focus is on fronthaul,
backward compatibility, supposedly disruptive nature of SDN deployment,
business cases and monetization of SDN related upgrades, latency of general
purpose processors (GPP), and additional security vulnerabilities,
softwarization brings along to the RAN. We have also provided a summary of the
architectural developments in SDN-based RAN landscape as not all work can be
covered under the focused issues. This paper provides a comprehensive survey on
the state of the art of SDN-based RAN and clearly points out the gaps in the
technology.Comment: 33 pages, 10 figure
Enabling Scalable and Sustainable Softwarized 5G Environments
The fifth generation of telecommunication systems (5G) is foreseen to play a fundamental
role in our socio-economic growth by supporting various and radically new vertical
applications (such as Industry 4.0, eHealth, Smart Cities/Electrical Grids, to name
a few), as a one-fits-all technology that is enabled by emerging softwarization solutions
\u2013 specifically, the Fog, Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC), Network Functions Virtualization
(NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) paradigms. Notwithstanding
the notable potential of the aforementioned technologies, a number of open issues
still need to be addressed to ensure their complete rollout. This thesis is particularly developed
towards addressing the scalability and sustainability issues in softwarized 5G
environments through contributions in three research axes: a) Infrastructure Modeling
and Analytics, b) Network Slicing and Mobility Management, and c) Network/Services Management
and Control. The main contributions include a model-based analytics approach
for real-time workload profiling and estimation of network key performance indicators
(KPIs) in NFV infrastructures (NFVIs), as well as a SDN-based multi-clustering approach
to scale geo-distributed virtual tenant networks (VTNs) and to support seamless
user/service mobility; building on these, solutions to the problems of resource consolidation,
service migration, and load balancing are also developed in the context of 5G.
All in all, this generally entails the adoption of Stochastic Models, Mathematical Programming,
Queueing Theory, Graph Theory and Team Theory principles, in the context
of Green Networking, NFV and SDN
Efficient solutions to the placement and chaining problem of User Plane Functions in 5G Networks
This study attempts to solve the placement and chaining problem of 5G User Plane Functions (UPFs) in a Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) ecosystem. The problem is formalized as a multi-objective Integer Linear Programming (ILP) model targeted at optimizing provisioning costs and quality of service. Our model takes into account several aspects of the system such as UPF-specific considerations, the Service Function Chain (SFC) requests topology (single and multiple branches), Virtual Network Function (VNF) order constraints, service demands, and physical network capacities. Since the formulated problem is NP-hard, two heuristic solutions are devised to enhance solution efficiency. Specifically, an algorithm called Priority and Cautious-UPF Placement and Chaining (PC-UPC) and a simulated annealing (SA) meta-heuristic are proposed. Through extensive simulation experiments, we evaluated the performance of the proposed solutions. The results revealed that our solutions outperformed the baselines (i.e., two greedy-based heuristics and a variant of the classical SA) and that we had obtained nearly optimal solutions with significant reductions in running time. Moreover, the PC-UPC algorithm can effectively avoid SFC rejections and improve provisioning costs by considering session requirements, current network conditions, and the effects of VNF mapping decisions. Additionally, the proposed SA approach incorporates several mechanisms (e.g., variable Markov chain length and restart–stop) that allow the improvement of not only the quality of the solutions but also their computation time.Postprint (published version
Redes definidas por software e funções de redes virtualizadas em ambientes com recursos restritos
With technologies such as SDN and NFV pushing the the development of the next generation networks, new paradigms, such as Fog Computing, appeared in the network scene. However, these technologies have been associated with the network infrastructure, such as the datacenter. In order for these technologies to be used, for instance, in a Fog Computing scenario it is necessary to, therefore, study and
develop these technologies to form new control and operation mechanisms. So, a Fog Computing scenario composed by resource-constrained devices, typical in these types of situations, was developed, and, a solution proposal is presented. The solution consists in customizing an existent VIM, OpenVIM, to this kind of devices, after the implementation of the solution, where a Raspberry Pi is used to exemplify this type of devices. Tests are done to measure and compare this devices to more powerful ones. The tests are comprised by benchmarks runs, focusing on instantiation times, and power consumption. The results show some drawbacks inherent to this kind of devices when compared to more powerful ones. However,
it is possible to see the potential that this kind of devices might have in the near future.Com tecnologias como SDN e NFV a impulsionar o desenvolvimento das redes da próxima geração, novos paradigmas como por exemplo, Fog Computing, apareceram na área de redes. Contudo, estas tecnologias têm estado associadas à infraestrutura das redes, como o datacenter. Para que estas tecnologias possam
ser utilizadas, como por exemplo, num cenário de Fog Computing é necessário, então, estudar e desenvolver estas tecnologias para formar novos mecanismos de controlo e operação. Desta forma, um cenário de Fog Computing composto por dispositivos com recursos limitados, típicos neste tipo de situação, é desenvolvido, e, uma proposta de solução é apresentada. A solução consiste em adaptar uma
VIM existente, OpenVIM, para este tipo de dispositivos, após a implementação da solução, onde um Raspberry Pi é utilizado para exemplificar este tipo de dispositvos. Testes são realizados para medir e comparar como estes dispositivos se comportam em comparação com dispositivos mais poderosos. Estes testes são compostos por testes de desempenho, focando o tempo de instanciação e consumo energético. Os resultados apresentam algumas limitações inerentes a este tipo de dispositivos resultantes dos seus recursos limitados, quando comparados com hardware com maior capacidade. Contudo, é possível verificar o potencial que este tipo de dispositivos podem apresentar no futuro próximo.Mestrado em Engenharia Eletrónica e Telecomunicaçõe
Towards 5G Software-Defined Ecosystems: Technical Challenges, Business Sustainability and Policy Issues
Techno-economic drivers are creating the conditions for a radical change of paradigm in the design and operation of future telecommunications infrastructures. In fact, SDN, NFV, Cloud and Edge-Fog Computing are converging together into a single systemic transformation termed “Softwarization” that will find concrete exploitations in 5G systems. The IEEE SDN Initiative1 has elaborated a vision, an evolutionary path and some techno-economic scenarios of this transformation: specifically, the major technical challenges, business sustainability and policy issues have been investigated. This white paper presents: 1) an overview on the main techno-economic drivers steering the “Softwarization” of telecommunications; 2) an introduction to the Open Mobile Edge Cloud vision (covered in a companion white paper); 3) the main technical challenges in terms of operations, security and policy; 4) an analysis of the potential role of open source software; 5) some use case proposals for proof-of-concepts; and 6) a short description of the main socio-economic impacts being produced by “Softwarization”. Along these directions, IEEE SDN is also developing of an open catalogue of software platforms, toolkits, and functionalities aiming at a step-by-step development and aggregation of test-beds/field-trials on SDNNFV- 5G
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