247 research outputs found
VUCA and the future of the global mobile telco industry
The disruption global digitally based firms are imposing on the positions of established multinational telcos is not just in degree, but also in kind. As such, the telcos are entering a period of VUCA. Although digitally based competitors could suffer from liabilities of âoutsidershipâ, employing the telco Telenor as a case, we argue that the physical presence of telcos in local markets will be insufficient to avoid a future as utilities or dumb-pipes. One significant issue as they confront VUCA is therefore whether telcos are able to develop and apply dynamic capabilities
Integração do paradigma de cloud computing com a infraestrutura de rede do operador
Doutoramento em Engenharia InformĂĄticaThe proliferation of Internet access allows that users have the possibility to use
services available directly through the Internet, which translates in a change of
the paradigm of using applications and in the way of communicating,
popularizing in this way the so-called cloud computing paradigm. Cloud
computing brings with it requirements at two different levels: at the cloud level,
usually relying in centralized data centers, where information technology and
network resources must be able to guarantee the demand of such services;
and at the access level, i.e., depending on the service being consumed,
different quality of service is required in the access network, which is a Network
Operator (NO) domain. In summary, there is an obvious network dependency.
However, the network has been playing a relatively minor role, mostly as a
provider of (best-effort) connectivity within the cloud and in the access network.
The work developed in this Thesis enables for the effective integration of cloud
and NO domains, allowing the required network support for cloud. We propose
a framework and a set of associated mechanisms for the integrated
management and control of cloud computing and NO domains to provide endto-
end services. Moreover, we elaborate a thorough study on the embedding of
virtual resources in this integrated environment. The study focuses on
maximizing the host of virtual resources on the physical infrastructure through
optimal embedding strategies (considering the initial allocation of resources as
well as adaptations through time), while at the same time minimizing the costs
associated to energy consumption, in single and multiple domains.
Furthermore, we explore how the NO can take advantage of the integrated
environment to host traditional network functions. In this sense, we study how
virtual network Service Functions (SFs) should be modelled and managed in a
cloud environment and enhance the framework accordingly.
A thorough evaluation of the proposed solutions was performed in the scope of
this Thesis, assessing their benefits. We implemented proof of concepts to
prove the added value, feasibility and easy deployment characteristics of the
proposed framework. Furthermore, the embedding strategies evaluation has
been performed through simulation and Integer Linear Programming (ILP)
solving tools, and it showed that it is possible to reduce the physical
infrastructure energy consumption without jeopardizing the virtual resources
acceptance. This fact can be further increased by allowing virtual resource
adaptation through time. However, one should have in mind the costs
associated to adaptation processes. The costs can be minimized, but the virtual
resource acceptance can be also reduced. This tradeoff has also been subject
of the work in this Thesis.A proliferação do acesso à Internet permite aos utilizadores usar serviços
disponibilizados diretamente através da Internet, o que se traduz numa
mudança de paradigma na forma de usar aplicaçÔes e na forma de comunicar,
popularizando desta forma o conceito denominado de cloud computing. Cloud
computing traz consigo requisitos a dois nĂveis: ao nĂvel da prĂłpria cloud,
geralmente dependente de centros de dados centralizados, onde as
tecnologias de informação e recursos de rede tĂȘm que ser capazes de garantir
as exigĂȘncias destes serviços; e ao nĂvel do acesso, ou seja, dependendo do
serviço que esteja a ser consumido, sĂŁo necessĂĄrios diferentes nĂveis de
qualidade de serviço na rede de acesso, um domĂnio do operador de rede. Em
sĂntese, existe uma clara dependĂȘncia da cloud na rede. No entanto, o papel
que a rede tem vindo a desempenhar neste Ăąmbito Ă© reduzido, sendo
principalmente um fornecedor de conectividade (best-effort) tanto no dominio
da cloud como no da rede de acesso.
O trabalho desenvolvido nesta Tese permite uma integração efetiva dos
domĂnios de cloud e operador de rede, dando assim Ă cloud o efetivo suporte
da rede. Para tal, apresentamos uma plataforma e um conjunto de
mecanismos associados para gestĂŁo e controlo integrado de domĂnios cloud
computing e operador de rede por forma a fornecer serviços fim-a-fim. Além
disso, elaboramos um estudo aprofundado sobre o mapeamento de recursos
virtuais neste ambiente integrado. O estudo centra-se na maximização da
incorporação de recursos virtuais na infraestrutura fĂsica por meio de
estratégias de mapeamento ótimas (considerando a alocação inicial de
recursos, bem como adaptaçÔes ao longo do tempo), enquanto que se
minimizam os custos associados ao consumo de energia. Este estudo Ă© feito
para cenĂĄrios de apenas um domĂnio e para cenĂĄrios com mĂșltiplos domĂnios.
Além disso, exploramos como o operador de rede pode aproveitar o referido
ambiente integrado para suportar funçÔes de rede tradicionais. Neste sentido,
estudamos como as funçÔes de rede virtualizadas devem ser modeladas e
geridas num ambiente cloud e estendemos a plataforma de acordo com este
conceito.
No ùmbito desta Tese foi feita uma avaliação extensa das soluçÔes propostas,
avaliando os seus benefĂcios. ImplementĂĄmos provas de conceito por forma a
demonstrar as mais-valias, viabilidade e fåcil implantação das soluçÔes
propostas. Além disso, a avaliação das estratégias de mapeamento foi
realizada através de ferramentas de simulação e de programação linear inteira,
mostrando que Ă© possĂvel reduzir o consumo de energia da infraestrutura
fĂsica, sem comprometer a aceitação de recursos virtuais. Este aspeto pode
ser melhorado através da adaptação de recursos virtuais ao longo do tempo.
No entanto, deve-se ter em mente os custos associados aos processos de
adaptação. Os custos podem ser minimizados, mas isso implica uma redução
na aceitação de recursos virtuais. Esta compensação foi também um tema
abordado nesta Tese
FLACOSâ08 Workshop proceedings
The 2nd Workshop on Formal Languages and Analysis of Contract-Oriented Software (FLACOSâ08) is held in Malta. The aim of the workshop is to bring together researchers and practitioners working on language-based solutions to contract-oriented software development. The workshop is partially funded by the Nordunet3 project âCOSoDISâ (Contract-Oriented Software Development for Internet Services) and it attracted 25 participants. The program consists of 4 regular papers and 10 invited participant presentations
Strategic Organizational Response of an Indo-Japenese Joint Venture to Indian's Economic Liberalization
The Indian economy began its liberalization process in 1991 under the structural adjustment program of the IMF and the World Bank. The structural adjustment program required India to deregulate in a phased manner, eliminate the license regime and to open its economy to foreign capital. With the opening of the economy, the Indian market has become intensely competitive and turbulent with the entry of greater foreign participation. This paper tries to build a conceptual model of strategic response through effective human resource management policies and practices within such a market environment. The article tries to understand this phenomenon from a contingency perspective through a single detailed case-study of an Indo-Japanese Joint Venture. Several issues relating to organizational redesign, effective corporate responses like organizational redesign, professional and employee oriented modes of management and a hybrid model of Indo-Japanese HRM interventions are discussed.Liberalization; Corporate response; Organizational design; Japanese management systems; Human resource management
Flexible cross layer optimization for fixed and mobile broadband telecommunication networks and beyond
In der heutigen Zeit, in der das Internet im Allgemeinen und Telekommunikationsnetze im Speziellen kritische Infrastrukturen erreicht haben, entstehen hohe Anforderungen und neue Herausforderungen an den Datentransport in Hinsicht auf Effizienz und FlexibilitĂ€t. Heutige Telekommunikationsnetze sind jedoch rigide und statisch konzipiert, was nur ein geringes MaĂ an FlexibilitĂ€t und AnpassungsfĂ€higkeit der Netze ermöglicht und darĂŒber hinaus nur im begrenzten MaĂe die Wichtigkeit von DatenflĂŒssen im wiederspiegelt. Diverse LösungsansĂ€tze zum kompletten Neuentwurf als auch zum evolutionĂ€ren Konzept des Internet wurden ausgearbeitet und spezifiziert, um diese neuartigen Anforderungen und Herausforderungen adĂ€quat zu adressieren. Einer dieser AnsĂ€tze ist das Cross Layer Optimierungs-Paradigma, welches eine bisher nicht mögliche direkte Kommunikation zwischen verteilten FunktionalitĂ€ten unterschiedlichen Typs ermöglicht, um ein höheres MaĂ an DienstgĂŒte zu erlangen. Ein wesentlicher Indikator, welcher die Relevanz dieses Ansatzes unterstreicht, zeichnet sich durch die Programmierbarkeit von NetzwerkfunktionalitĂ€ten aus, welche sich aus der Evolution von heutigen hin zu zukĂŒnftigen Netzen erkennen lĂ€sst. Dieses Konzept wird als ein vielversprechender Lösungsansatz fĂŒr Kontrollmechanismen von Diensten in zukĂŒnftigen Kernnetzwerken erachtet. Dennoch existiert zur Zeit der Entstehung dieser Doktorarbeit kein Ansatz zur Cross Layer Optimierung in Festnetz-und Mobilfunknetze, welcher der geforderten Effizienz und FlexibilitĂ€t gerecht wird. Die ĂŒbergeordnete Zielsetzung dieser Arbeit adressiert die Konzeptionierung, Entwicklung und Evaluierung eines Cross Layer Optimierungsansatzes fĂŒr Telekommunikationsnetze. Einen wesentlichen Schwerpunkt dieser Arbeit stellt die Definition einer theoretischen Konzeptionierung und deren praktischer Realisierung eines Systems zur Cross Layer Optimierung fĂŒr Telekommunikationsnetze dar. Die durch diese Doktorarbeit analysierten wissenschaftlichen Fragestellungen betreffen u.a. die Anwendbarkeit von Cross Layer OptimierungsansĂ€tzen auf Telekommunikationsnetzwerke; die Betrachtung neuartiger Anforderungen; existierende Konzepte, AnsĂ€tze und Lösungen; die Abdeckung neuer FunktionalitĂ€ten durch bereits existierende Lösungen; und letztendlich den erkennbaren Mehrwert des neu vorgeschlagenen Konzepts gegenĂŒber den bestehenden Lösungen. Die wissenschaftlichen BeitrĂ€ge dieser Doktorarbeit lassen sich grob durch vier SĂ€ulen skizzieren: Erstens werden der Stand der Wissenschaft und Technik analysiert und bewertet, Anforderungen erhoben und eine LĂŒckenanalyse vorgenommen. Zweitens werden Herausforderungen, Möglichkeiten, Limitierungen und Konzeptionierungsaspekte eines Modells zur Cross Layer Optimierung analysiert und evaluiert. Drittens wird ein konzeptionelles Modell - Generic Adaptive Resource Control (GARC) - spezifiziert, als Prototyp realisiert und ausgiebig validiert. Viertens werden theoretische und praktische BeitrĂ€ge dieser Doktorarbeit vertiefend analysiert und bewertet.As the telecommunication world moves towards a data-only network environment, signaling, voice and other data are similarly transported as Internet Protocol packets. New requirements, challenges and opportunities are bound to this transition and influence telecommunication architectures accordingly. In this time in which the Internet in general, and telecommunication networks in particular, have entered critical infrastructures and systems, it is of high importance to guarantee efficient and flexible data transport. A certain level of Quality-of-Service (QoS) for critical services is crucial even during overload situations in the access and core network, as these two are the bottlenecks in the network. However, the current telecommunication architecture is rigid and static, which offers very limited flexibility and adaptability. Several concepts on clean slate as well as evolutionary approaches have been proposed and defined in order to cope with these new challenges and requirements. One of these approaches is the Cross Layer Optimization paradigm. This concept omits the strict separation and isolation of the Application-, Control- and Network-Layers as it enables interaction and fosters Cross Layer Optimization among them. One indicator underlying this trend is the programmability of network functions, which emerges clearly during the telecommunication network evolution towards the Future Internet. The concept is regarded as one solution for service control in future mobile core networks. However, no standardized approach for Cross Layer signaling nor optimizations in between the individual layers have been standardized at the time this thesis was written. The main objective of this thesis is the design, implementation and evaluation of a Cross Layer Optimization concept on telecommunication networks. A major emphasis is given to the definition of a theoretical model and its practical realization through the implementation of a Cross Layer network resource optimization system for telecommunication systems. The key questions answered through this thesis are: in which way can the Cross Layer Optimization paradigm be applied on telecommunication networks; which new requirements arise; which of the required functionalities cannot be covered through existing solutions, what other conceptual approaches already exist and finally whether such a new concept is viable. The work presented in this thesis and its contributions can be summarized in four parts: First, a review of related work, a requirement analysis and a gap analysis were performed. Second, challenges, limitations, opportunities and design aspects for specifying an optimization model between application and network layer were formulated. Third, a conceptual model - Generic Adaptive Resource Control (GARC) - was specified and its prototypical implementation was realized. Fourth, the theoretical and practical thesis contributions was validated and evaluated
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The role and value of ethical frameworks in software development
This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Software development is notorious for failure, typically defined as over budget, late delivery and/or poor quality of new information systems (IS) on project completion. The consequences of such failure can be enormous, particularly financially. As such, there is consensus by practitioners and academics alike that this practice is unacceptable. Yet with a variety of accepted development methods and tools available for use by software developers and project managers, there is still no significant reduction in the size or frequency of failure reported. In an attempt to understand the conflicts which arise in the development environment in which developers and project managers must operate, the research area is the role and value of ethics in the development of managed software projects. A definition of ethics in this context was provided by the IEEE/ACM Code of Ethics. Research was additionally conducted to understand how other professions and business areas define and enforce ethics in their respective working environments. These were (UK) Law, Finance, Retail and, law practice in the European Union. Interpretive research was then conducted to enable software development practices to be understood from the view of developers and project managers in industry. Unethical practices were then identified in a large IT company based in west London via a single, six month in-depth case study, with the data collected analysed via a series of repertory grids. Analysis and triangulation of the data collected via interviews, document analysis and observations led to an improved understanding of the causes of the unethical practices found. Conclusions and recommendations are then provided relating to implications for (a) the company participating in the research, (b) the application of the IEEE/ACM Code in industry (c) theory for ethicists
Seeing like Big Tech: security assemblages, technology, and the future of state bureaucracy
International audienceThis chapter looks at post-Snowden contention between US technology companies-firms like Google, Facebook, Microsoft, Apple-and the security field to reflect on the evolution of state arrangements monitoring and controlling communications. Modern statecraft has always depended on measures and metrics that could make the world legible and governable. In the age of Big Data, the infrastructures, data-processing techniques and abstractions produced by large, public-facing technology firms are now seen as the most suited to govern the digitalised world. Through negotiations processes and power struggles involving states, technology companies and other actors, security assemblages tasked with surveillance and censorship evolve towards privatisation and automation, and away from the rule of law. While pointing to the growing influence of Big Data governmentality across the security and wider bureaucratic fields, we conclude by taking stock of the failures of strategies aimed at decoupling the growing sophistication of computing and the intensification of power relations
Machine Learning-Powered Management Architectures for Edge Services in 5G Networks
L'abstract Ăš presente nell'allegato / the abstract is in the attachmen
Abstractions to Support Dynamic Adaptation of Communication Frameworks for User-Centric Communication
The convergence of data, audio and video on IP networks is changing the way individuals, groups and organizations communicate. This diversity of communication media presents opportunities for creating synergistic collaborative communications. This form of collaborative communication is however not without its challenges. The increasing number of communication service providers coupled with a combinatorial mix of offered services, varying Quality-of-Service and oscillating pricing of services increases the complexity for the user to manage and maintain `always best\u27 priced or performance services. Consumers have to manually manage and adapt their communication in line with differences in services across devices, networks and media while ensuring that the usage remain consistent with their intended goals. This dissertation proposes a novel user-centric approach to address this problem. The proposed approach aims to reduce the aforementioned complexity to the user by (1) providing high-level abstractions and a policy based methodology for automated selection of the communication services guided by high-level user policies and (2) providing services through the seamless integration of multiple communication service providers and providing an extensible framework to support the integration of multiple communication service providers. The approach was implemented in the Communication Virtual Machine (CVM), a model-driven technology for realizing communication applications. The CVM includes the Network Communication Broker, the layer responsible for providing a network-independent API to the upper layers of CVM. The initial prototype for the NCB supported only a single communication framework which limited the number, quality and types of services available. Experimental evaluation of the approach show the additional overhead of the approach is minimal compared to the individual communication services frameworks. Additionally the automated approach proposed out performed the individual communication services frameworks for cross framework switching
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