502 research outputs found
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
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
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
On the virtualization and dynamic orchestration of satellite communication services
Key features of satellite communications such as wide-scale coverage, broadcast/multicast support and high availability, together with significant amounts of new satellite capacity coming online, anticipate new opportunities for satellite communications services as an integral part within upcoming 5G systems. To materialize these opportunities, satellite communications services have to be provisioned and operated in a more flexible, agile and cost-effective manner than done today.
In this context, this paper describes a solution for the virtualization and dynamic orchestration of satellite communication services that builds on the introduction of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technologies within the satellite ground
segment systems. Along with the description of the main system
architecture traits, the flowchart of a general procedure for the
dynamic instantiation of virtualized satellite networks on top of a
SDN/NFV-enabled satellite ground segment system is provided.
The paper also presents experimental results for the dynamic customization of satellite network services through the implementation of a set of virtualized satellite network functions that can be orchestrated over general purpose open virtual platforms.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft
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
Can open-source projects (re-) shape the SDN/NFV-driven telecommunication market?
Telecom network operators face rapidly changing business needs. Due to their dependence on long product cycles they lack the ability to quickly respond to changing user demands. To spur innovation and stay competitive, network operators are investigating technological solutions with a proven track record in other application domains such as open source software projects. Open source software enables parties to learn, use, or contribute to technology from which they were previously excluded. OSS has reshaped many application areas including the landscape of operating systems and consumer software. The paradigmshift in telecommunication systems towards Software-Defined Networking introduces possibilities to benefit from open source projects. Implementing the control part of networks in software enables speedier adaption and innovation, and less dependencies on legacy protocols or algorithms hard-coded in the control part of network devices. The recently proposed concept of Network Function Virtualization pushes the softwarization of telecommunication functionalities even further down to the data plane. Within the NFV paradigm, functionality which was previously reserved for dedicated hardware implementations can now be implemented in software and deployed on generic Commercial Off-The Shelf (COTS) hardware. This paper provides an overview of existing open source initiatives for SDN/NFV-based network architectures, involving infrastructure to orchestration-related functionality. It situates them in a business process context and identifies the pros and cons for the market in general, as well as for individual actors
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
Progressive introduction of network softwarization in operational telecom networks: advances at architectural, service and transport levels
Technological paradigms such as Software Defined Networking, Network Function
Virtualization and Network Slicing are altogether offering new ways of providing services.
This process is widely known as Network Softwarization, where traditional operational
networks adopt capabilities and mechanisms inherit form the computing world, such as
programmability, virtualization and multi-tenancy.
This adoption brings a number of challenges, both from the technological and operational
perspectives. On the other hand, they provide an unprecedented flexibility opening
opportunities to developing new services and new ways of exploiting and consuming telecom
networks.
This Thesis first overviews the implications of the progressive introduction of network
softwarization in operational networks for later on detail some advances at different levels,
namely architectural, service and transport levels. It is done through specific exemplary use
cases and evolution scenarios, with the goal of illustrating both new possibilities and existing
gaps for the ongoing transition towards an advanced future mode of operation.
This is performed from the perspective of a telecom operator, paying special attention on
how to integrate all these paradigms into operational networks for assisting on their evolution
targeting new, more sophisticated service demands.Programa de Doctorado en IngenierÃa Telemática por la Universidad Carlos III de MadridPresidente: Eduardo Juan Jacob Taquet.- Secretario: Francisco Valera Pintor.- Vocal: Jorge López VizcaÃn
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