Algorithms for advance bandwidth reservation in media production networks

Media production generally requires many geographically distributed actors (e.g., production houses, broadcasters, advertisers) to exchange huge amounts of raw video and audio data. Traditional distribution techniques, such as dedicated point-to-point optical links, are highly inefficient in terms of installation time and cost. To improve efficiency, shared media production networks that connect all involved actors over a large geographical area, are currently being deployed. The traffic in such networks is often predictable, as the timing and bandwidth requirements of data transfers are generally known hours or even days in advance. As such, the use of advance bandwidth reservation (AR) can greatly increase resource utilization and cost efficiency. In this paper, we propose an Integer Linear Programming formulation of the bandwidth scheduling problem, which takes into account the specific characteristics of media production networks, is presented. Two novel optimization algorithms based on this model are thoroughly evaluated and compared by means of in-depth simulation results

SDN/NFV-enabled satellite communications networks: opportunities, scenarios and challenges

In the context of next generation 5G networks, the satellite industry is clearly committed to revisit and revamp the role of satellite communications. As major drivers in the evolution of (terrestrial) fixed and mobile networks, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) technologies are also being positioned as central technology enablers towards improved and more flexible integration of satellite and terrestrial segments, providing satellite network further service innovation and business agility by advanced network resources management techniques. Through the analysis of scenarios and use cases, this paper provides a description of the benefits that SDN/NFV technologies can bring into satellite communications towards 5G. Three scenarios are presented and analysed to delineate different potential improvement areas pursued through the introduction of SDN/NFV technologies in the satellite ground segment domain. Within each scenario, a number of use cases are developed to gain further insight into specific capabilities and to identify the technical challenges stemming from them.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Network Service Orchestration: A Survey

Business models of network service providers are undergoing an evolving transformation fueled by vertical customer demands and technological advances such as 5G, Software Defined Networking~(SDN), and Network Function Virtualization~(NFV). Emerging scenarios call for agile network services consuming network, storage, and compute resources across heterogeneous infrastructures and administrative domains. Coordinating resource control and service creation across interconnected domains and diverse technologies becomes a grand challenge. Research and development efforts are being devoted to enabling orchestration processes to automate, coordinate, and manage the deployment and operation of network services. In this survey, we delve into the topic of Network Service Orchestration~(NSO) by reviewing the historical background, relevant research projects, enabling technologies, and standardization activities. We define key concepts and propose a taxonomy of NSO approaches and solutions to pave the way towards a common understanding of the various ongoing efforts around the realization of diverse NSO application scenarios. Based on the analysis of the state of affairs, we present a series of open challenges and research opportunities, altogether contributing to a timely and comprehensive survey on the vibrant and strategic topic of network service orchestration.Comment: Accepted for publication at Computer Communications Journa

Container ecosystem based PaaS solution for Telco Cloud Analysis and Proposal

Telco over Cloud, Network Function Virtualization andSoftware Defined Networking are changing thetelecommunications industry landscape, morespecifically in the Telco Service Providers networkinfrastructure and systems, by introducing cloudcomputing, virtualization paradigms and softwareapproaches which are already in use and mature intraditional IT environments.This paper introduces the current telco cloud landscapeand latest developments. It subsequently proposes acontainer based telco app orchestration mechanism.The shift of the telco cloud landscape towardscontainers is imperative as the traditional VM basedNFV and SDN solutions are running into scalabilityand performance problems and have an impact ondelivery speed and efficient resource utilization.In the solution we have derived in our lab uses a clustercontainer orchestration mechanism using ApacheMesos. A custom framework is developed to handle theTelco specific (NFV) capabilities on top of thetraditional containers. This novel approach will helptelcos to provision tons of containers in a span of shortduration adhering to the QoS Requirements of theindustry

Modular architecture providing convergent and ubiquitous intelligent connectivity for networks beyond 2030

The transition of the networks to support forthcoming beyond 5G (B5G) and 6G services introduces a number of important architectural challenges that force an evolution of existing operational frameworks. Current networks have introduced technical paradigms such as network virtualization, programmability and slicing, being a trend known as network softwarization. Forthcoming B5G and 6G services imposing stringent requirements will motivate a new radical change, augmenting those paradigms with the idea of smartness, pursuing an overall optimization on the usage of network and compute resources in a zero-trust environment. This paper presents a modular architecture under the concept of Convergent and UBiquitous Intelligent Connectivity (CUBIC), conceived to facilitate the aforementioned transition. CUBIC intends to investigate and innovate on the usage, combination and development of novel technologies to accompany the migration of existing networks towards Convergent and Ubiquitous Intelligent Connectivity (CUBIC) solutions, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) mechanisms and Machine Learning (ML) tools in a totally secure environment

Hybrid SDN Evolution: A Comprehensive Survey of the State-of-the-Art

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) is an evolutionary networking paradigm which has been adopted by large network and cloud providers, among which are Tech Giants. However, embracing a new and futuristic paradigm as an alternative to well-established and mature legacy networking paradigm requires a lot of time along with considerable financial resources and technical expertise. Consequently, many enterprises can not afford it. A compromise solution then is a hybrid networking environment (a.k.a. Hybrid SDN (hSDN)) in which SDN functionalities are leveraged while existing traditional network infrastructures are acknowledged. Recently, hSDN has been seen as a viable networking solution for a diverse range of businesses and organizations. Accordingly, the body of literature on hSDN research has improved remarkably. On this account, we present this paper as a comprehensive state-of-the-art survey which expands upon hSDN from many different perspectives

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

Orchestration and Lifecycle Management over Virtualized Network Functions

A crescente evolução da nova geração de redes móveis aproxima a comercialização de redes de quinta geração da realidade. Os operadores móveis já dizem possuir dispositivos preparados para o 5G e já demonstram protótipos de serviços criados e sustentados para estas redes. Na realidade, as Redes de Acesso Radio (Radio Access Network - RAN) planeadas para o 5G já estão desenvolvidas e testadas, existindo já algumas redes de acesso radio com novas antenas preparadas para 5G em várias partes do mundo. Porém, as redes 5G vão mais além que a evolução das RAN, sendo a principal novidade desta geração de redes móvel a virtualização das redes centrais, incluindo nestas serviços e funções de rede. A Virtualização de Funções de Rede (Network Function Virtualization - NFV) está a ser normalizada pela European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Esta tecnologia está a ser usada pela 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) para normalizar as redes 5G, nomeadamente a virtualização das suas redes centrais. A virtualização não só irá permitir o surgimento de novos serviços e funções de rede como também permitirá virtualizar serviços e funções de rede antigas. A virtualização não só irá melhorar significativamente as redes móveis, como também será mais fácil a gestão e a orquestração destas. Em Portugal, o consórcio 5GO, que envolve várias empresas com uma vasta experiência de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Research & Development - R&D) na área de Telecomunicações, desenvolve o projeto Mobilizador 5G. Esta iniciativa portuguesa visa desenvolver soluções inovadoras para a rede 5G. Esta dissertação aborda inicialmente uma análise às tecnologias que permitem as redes 5G. De seguida foca-se nas plataformas de gestão e orquestração de redes existentes e por fim, nas operações de gestão de ciclo de vida (Lifecycle Management - LCM) que estas plataformas poderão realizar nas funções de redes. O objetivo final será testar e analisar essas operações em funções de rede através de uma das plataformas existentes.The growing evolution of the new mobile generation networks brings the commercialization of 5th generation networks closer to reality. Mobile operators already claim to have 5G-ready devices and already demonstrate prototypes of services created and sustained for these networks. In fact, the Radio Access Network (RAN) planned for 5G are already developed and tested, and there are already some radio access networks with new 5G-ready antennas in diverse parts of the world. However, 5G networks go beyond the evolution of RANs, with the main novelty of this mobile network generation being the virtualisation of central networks, including in these services and network functions. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is being standardized by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). This technology is being used by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to standardise 5G networks, particularly the virtualisation of core networks. Virtualization will not only allow the development of new network services and functions, it will also allow the virtualization of legacy network services and functions. Virtualization will not only significantly improve mobile networks, but also make it easier to manage and orchestrate them. In Portugal, the 5GO consortium, which involves several companies with a vast experience in Research & Development (R&D) in the area of Telecommunications, develops the project Mobilizador 5G. This Portuguese initiative aims to develop innovative solutions for the 5G network. This dissertation initially addresses an analysis of the technologies that enable 5G networks. It then focuses on the existing network management and orchestration platforms and, finally, on the Lifecycle Management (LCM) operations that these platforms can perform in network functions. The final objective will be to test and analyse these operations in network functions through one of the existing platforms