1,442 research outputs found
A software-defined architecture for next-generation cellular networks
In the recent years, mobile cellular networks are undergoing fundamental changes and many established concepts are being revisited. New emerging paradigms, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Internet of Things (IoT),and Mobile Social Networking (MSN), bring challenges in the design of cellular networks architectures. Current Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks are not able to accommodate these new trends in a scalable and efficient way. In this paper, first we discuss the limitations of the current LTE architecture. Second, driven by the new communication needs and by the advances in aforementioned areas, we propose a new architecture for next generation cellular networks. Some of its characteristics include support for distributed content routing, Heterogeneous Networks(HetNets) and multiple Radio Access Technologies (RATs). Finally, we present simulation results which show that significant backhaul traffic savings can be achieved by implementing caching and routing functions at the network edge
On the security of software-defined next-generation cellular networks
In the recent years, mobile cellular networks are ndergoing fundamental changes and many established concepts are being revisited. Future 5G network architectures will be designed to employ a wide range of new and emerging technologies such as Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). These create new virtual network elements each affecting the logic of the network management and operation, enabling the creation of new generation services with substantially higher data rates and lower delays. However, new security challenges and threats are also introduced. Current Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks are not able to accommodate these new trends in a secure and reliable way. At the same time, novel 5G systems have proffered invaluable opportunities of developing novel solutions for attack prevention, management, and recovery. In this paper, first we discuss the main security threats and possible attack vectors in cellular networks. Second, driven by the emerging next-generation cellular networks, we discuss the architectural and functional requirements to enable
appropriate levels of security
On Content-centric Wireless Delivery Networks
The flux of social media and the convenience of mobile connectivity has
created a mobile data phenomenon that is expected to overwhelm the mobile
cellular networks in the foreseeable future. Despite the advent of 4G/LTE, the
growth rate of wireless data has far exceeded the capacity increase of the
mobile networks. A fundamentally new design paradigm is required to tackle the
ever-growing wireless data challenge.
In this article, we investigate the problem of massive content delivery over
wireless networks and present a systematic view on content-centric network
design and its underlying challenges. Towards this end, we first review some of
the recent advancements in Information Centric Networking (ICN) which provides
the basis on how media contents can be labeled, distributed, and placed across
the networks. We then formulate the content delivery task into a content rate
maximization problem over a share wireless channel, which, contrasting the
conventional wisdom that attempts to increase the bit-rate of a unicast system,
maximizes the content delivery capability with a fixed amount of wireless
resources. This conceptually simple change enables us to exploit the "content
diversity" and the "network diversity" by leveraging the abundant computation
sources (through application-layer encoding, pushing and caching, etc.) within
the existing wireless networks. A network architecture that enables wireless
network crowdsourcing for content delivery is then described, followed by an
exemplary campus wireless network that encompasses the above concepts.Comment: 20 pages, 7 figures,accepted by IEEE Wireless
Communications,Sept.201
A Novel Framework for Software Defined Wireless Body Area Network
Software Defined Networking (SDN) has gained huge popularity in replacing
traditional network by offering flexible and dynamic network management. It has
drawn significant attention of the researchers from both academia and
industries. Particularly, incorporating SDN in Wireless Body Area Network
(WBAN) applications indicates promising benefits in terms of dealing with
challenges like traffic management, authentication, energy efficiency etc.
while enhancing administrative control. This paper presents a novel framework
for Software Defined WBAN (SDWBAN), which brings the concept of SDN technology
into WBAN applications. By decoupling the control plane from data plane and
having more programmatic control would assist to overcome the current lacking
and challenges of WBAN. Therefore, we provide a conceptual framework for SDWBAN
with packet flow model and a future direction of research pertaining to SDWBAN.Comment: Presented on 8th International Conference on Intelligent Systems,
Modelling and Simulatio
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
Introducing mobile edge computing capabilities through distributed 5G Cloud Enabled Small Cells
Current trends in broadband mobile networks are addressed towards the placement of different capabilities at the edge of the mobile network in a centralised way. On one hand, the split of the eNB between baseband processing units and remote radio headers makes it possible to process some of the protocols in centralised premises, likely with virtualised resources. On the other hand, mobile edge computing makes use of processing and storage capabilities close to the air interface in order to deploy optimised services with minimum delay. The confluence of both trends is a hot topic in the definition of future 5G networks. The full centralisation of both technologies in cloud data centres imposes stringent requirements to the fronthaul connections in terms of throughput and latency. Therefore, all those cells with limited network access would not be able to offer these types of services. This paper proposes a solution for these cases, based on the placement of processing and storage capabilities close to the remote units, which is especially well suited for the deployment of clusters of small cells. The proposed cloud-enabled small cells include a highly efficient microserver with a limited set of virtualised resources offered to the cluster of small cells. As a result, a light data centre is created and commonly used for deploying centralised eNB and mobile edge computing functionalities. The paper covers the proposed architecture, with special focus on the integration of both aspects, and possible scenarios of application.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
SymbioCity: Smart Cities for Smarter Networks
The "Smart City" (SC) concept revolves around the idea of embodying
cutting-edge ICT solutions in the very fabric of future cities, in order to
offer new and better services to citizens while lowering the city management
costs, both in monetary, social, and environmental terms. In this framework,
communication technologies are perceived as subservient to the SC services,
providing the means to collect and process the data needed to make the services
function. In this paper, we propose a new vision in which technology and SC
services are designed to take advantage of each other in a symbiotic manner.
According to this new paradigm, which we call "SymbioCity", SC services can
indeed be exploited to improve the performance of the same communication
systems that provide them with data. Suggestive examples of this symbiotic
ecosystem are discussed in the paper. The dissertation is then substantiated in
a proof-of-concept case study, where we show how the traffic monitoring service
provided by the London Smart City initiative can be used to predict the density
of users in a certain zone and optimize the cellular service in that area.Comment: 14 pages, submitted for publication to ETT Transactions on Emerging
Telecommunications Technologie
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