713 research outputs found
Optimal Orchestration of Virtual Network Functions
-The emergence of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) is bringing a set of
novel algorithmic challenges in the operation of communication networks. NFV
introduces volatility in the management of network functions, which can be
dynamically orchestrated, i.e., placed, resized, etc. Virtual Network Functions
(VNFs) can belong to VNF chains, where nodes in a chain can serve multiple
demands coming from the network edges. In this paper, we formally define the
VNF placement and routing (VNF-PR) problem, proposing a versatile linear
programming formulation that is able to accommodate specific features and
constraints of NFV infrastructures, and that is substantially different from
existing virtual network embedding formulations in the state of the art. We
also design a math-heuristic able to scale with multiple objectives and large
instances. By extensive simulations, we draw conclusions on the trade-off
achievable between classical traffic engineering (TE) and NFV infrastructure
efficiency goals, evaluating both Internet access and Virtual Private Network
(VPN) demands. We do also quantitatively compare the performance of our VNF-PR
heuristic with the classical Virtual Network Embedding (VNE) approach proposed
for NFV orchestration, showing the computational differences, and how our
approach can provide a more stable and closer-to-optimum solution
An Energy-driven Network Function Virtualization for Multi-domain Software Defined Networks
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) in Software Defined Networks (SDN)
emerged as a new technology for creating virtual instances for smooth execution
of multiple applications. Their amalgamation provides flexible and programmable
platforms to utilize the network resources for providing Quality of Service
(QoS) to various applications. In SDN-enabled NFV setups, the underlying
network services can be viewed as a series of virtual network functions (VNFs)
and their optimal deployment on physical/virtual nodes is considered a
challenging task to perform. However, SDNs have evolved from single-domain to
multi-domain setups in the recent era. Thus, the complexity of the underlying
VNF deployment problem in multi-domain setups has increased manifold. Moreover,
the energy utilization aspect is relatively unexplored with respect to an
optimal mapping of VNFs across multiple SDN domains. Hence, in this work, the
VNF deployment problem in multi-domain SDN setup has been addressed with a
primary emphasis on reducing the overall energy consumption for deploying the
maximum number of VNFs with guaranteed QoS. The problem in hand is initially
formulated as a "Multi-objective Optimization Problem" based on Integer Linear
Programming (ILP) to obtain an optimal solution. However, the formulated ILP
becomes complex to solve with an increasing number of decision variables and
constraints with an increase in the size of the network. Thus, we leverage the
benefits of the popular evolutionary optimization algorithms to solve the
problem under consideration. In order to deduce the most appropriate
evolutionary optimization algorithm to solve the considered problem, it is
subjected to different variants of evolutionary algorithms on the widely used
MOEA framework (an open source java framework based on multi-objective
evolutionary algorithms).Comment: Accepted for publication in IEEE INFOCOM 2019 Workshop on Intelligent
Cloud Computing and Networking (ICCN 2019
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
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