13,252 research outputs found

    Performance Characterization and Profiling of Chained CPU-bound Virtual Network Functions

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    The increased demand for high-quality Internet connectivity resulting from the growing number of connected devices and advanced services has put significant strain on telecommunication networks. In response, cutting-edge technologies such as Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software Defined Networking (SDN) have been introduced to transform network infrastructure. These innovative solutions offer dynamic, efficient, and easily manageable networks that surpass traditional approaches. To fully realize the benefits of NFV and maintain the performance level of specialized equipment, it is critical to assess the behavior of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) and the impact of virtualization overhead. This paper delves into understanding how various factors such as resource allocation, consumption, and traffic load impact the performance of VNFs. We aim to provide a detailed analysis of these factors and develop analytical functions to accurately describe their impact. By testing VNFs on different testbeds, we identify the key parameters and trends, and develop models to generalize VNF behavior. Our results highlight the negative impact of resource saturation on performance and identify the CPU as the main bottleneck. We also propose a VNF profiling procedure as a solution to model the observed trends and test more complex VNFs deployment scenarios to evaluate the impact of interconnection, co-location, and NFV infrastructure on performance

    Automated Network Service Scaling in NFV: Concepts, Mechanisms and Scaling Workflow

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    Next-generation systems are anticipated to be digital platforms supporting innovative services with rapidly changing traffic patterns. To cope with this dynamicity in a cost-efficient manner, operators need advanced service management capabilities such as those provided by NFV. NFV enables operators to scale network services with higher granularity and agility than today. For this end, automation is key. In search of this automation, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has defined a reference NFV framework that make use of model-driven templates called Network Service Descriptors (NSDs) to operate network services through their lifecycle. For the scaling operation, an NSD defines a discrete set of instantiation levels among which a network service instance can be resized throughout its lifecycle. Thus, the design of these levels is key for ensuring an effective scaling. In this article, we provide an overview of the automation of the network service scaling operation in NFV, addressing the options and boundaries introduced by ETSI normative specifications. We start by providing a description of the NSD structure, focusing on how instantiation levels are constructed. For illustrative purposes, we propose an NSD for a representative NS. This NSD includes different instantiation levels that enable different ways to automatically scale this NS. Then, we show the different scaling procedures the NFV framework has available, and how it may automate their triggering. Finally, we propose an ETSI-compliant workflow to describe in detail a representative scaling procedure. This workflow clarifies the interactions and information exchanges between the functional blocks in the NFV framework when performing the scaling operation.Comment: This work has been accepted for publication in the IEEE Communications Magazin

    Will SDN be part of 5G?

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    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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