Orchestrating datacenters and networks to facilitate the telecom cloud

In the Internet of services, information technology (IT) infrastructure providers play a critical role in making the services accessible to end-users. IT infrastructure providers host platforms and services in their datacenters (DCs). The cloud initiative has been accompanied by the introduction of new computing paradigms, such as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Software as a Service (SaaS), which have dramatically reduced the time and costs required to develop and deploy a service. However, transport networks become crucial to make services accessible to the user and to operate DCs. Transport networks are currently configured with big static fat pipes based on capacity over-provisioning aiming at guaranteeing traffic demand and other parameters committed in Service Level Agreement (SLA) contracts. Notwithstanding, such over-dimensioning adds high operational costs for DC operators and service providers. Therefore, new mechanisms to provide reconfiguration and adaptability of the transport network to reduce the amount of over-provisioned bandwidth are required. Although cloud-ready transport network architecture was introduced to handle the dynamic cloud and network interaction and Elastic Optical Networks (EONs) can facilitate elastic network operations, orchestration between the cloud and the interconnection network is eventually required to coordinate resources in both strata in a coherent manner. In addition, the explosion of Internet Protocol (IP)-based services requiring not only dynamic cloud and network interaction, but also additional service-specific SLA parameters and the expected benefits of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), open the opportunity to telecom operators to exploit that cloud-ready transport network and their current infrastructure, to efficiently satisfy network requirements from the services. In the telecom cloud, a pay-per-use model can be offered to support services requiring resources from the transport network and its infrastructure. In this thesis, we study connectivity requirements from representative cloud-based services and explore connectivity models, architectures and orchestration schemes to satisfy them aiming at facilitating the telecom cloud. The main objective of this thesis is demonstrating, by means of analytical models and simulation, the viability of orchestrating DCs and networks to facilitate the telecom cloud. To achieve the main goal we first study the connectivity requirements for DC interconnection and services on a number of scenarios that require connectivity from the transport network. Specifically, we focus on studying DC federations, live-TV distribution, and 5G mobile networks. Next, we study different connectivity schemes, algorithms, and architectures aiming at satisfying those connectivity requirements. In particular, we study polling-based models for dynamic inter-DC connectivity and propose a novel notification-based connectivity scheme where inter-DC connectivity can be delegated to the network operator. Additionally, we explore virtual network topology provisioning models to support services that require service-specific SLA parameters on the telecom cloud. Finally, we focus on studying DC and network orchestration to fulfill simultaneously SLA contracts for a set of customers requiring connectivity from the transport network.En la Internet de los servicios, los proveedores de recursos relacionados con tecnologías de la información juegan un papel crítico haciéndolos accesibles a los usuarios como servicios. Dichos proveedores, hospedan plataformas y servicios en centros de datos. La oferta plataformas y servicios en la nube ha introducido nuevos paradigmas de computación tales como ofrecer la infraestructura como servicio, conocido como IaaS de sus siglas en inglés, y el software como servicio, SaaS. La disponibilidad de recursos en la nube, ha contribuido a la reducción de tiempos y costes para desarrollar y desplegar un servicio. Sin embargo, para permitir el acceso de los usuarios a los servicios así como para operar los centros de datos, las redes de transporte resultan imprescindibles. Actualmente, las redes de transporte están configuradas con conexiones estáticas y su capacidad sobredimensionada para garantizar la demanda de tráfico así como los distintos parámetros relacionados con el nivel de servicio acordado. No obstante, debido a que el exceso de capacidad en las conexiones se traduce en un elevado coste tanto para los operadores de los centros de datos como para los proveedores de servicios, son necesarios nuevos mecanismos que permitan adaptar y reconfigurar la red de forma eficiente de acuerdo a las nuevas necesidades de los servicios a los que dan soporte. A pesar de la introducción de arquitecturas que permiten la gestión de redes de transporte y su interacción con los servicios en la nube de forma dinámica, y de la irrupción de las redes ópticas elásticas, la orquestación entre la nube y la red es necesaria para coordinar de forma coherente los recursos en los distintos estratos. Además, la explosión de servicios basados el Protocolo de Internet, IP, que requieren tanto interacción dinámica con la red como parámetros particulares en los niveles de servicio además de los habituales, así como los beneficios que se esperan de la virtualización de funciones de red, representan una oportunidad para los operadores de red para explotar sus recursos y su infraestructura. La nube de operador permite ofrecer recursos del operador de red a los servicios, de forma similar a un sistema basado en pago por uso. En esta Tesis, se estudian requisitos de conectividad de servicios basados en la nube y se exploran modelos de conectividad, arquitecturas y modelos de orquestación que contribuyan a la realización de la nube de operador. El objetivo principal de esta Tesis es demostrar la viabilidad de la orquestación de centros de datos y redes para facilitar la nube de operador, mediante modelos analíticos y simulaciones. Con el fin de cumplir dicho objetivo, primero estudiamos los requisitos de conectividad para la interconexión de centros de datos y servicios en distintos escenarios que requieren conectividad en la red de transporte. En particular, nos centramos en el estudio de escenarios basados en federaciones de centros de datos, distribución de televisión en directo y la evolución de las redes móviles hacia 5G. A continuación, estudiamos distintos modelos de conectividad, algoritmos y arquitecturas para satisfacer los requisitos de conectividad. Estudiamos modelos de conectividad basados en sondeos para la interconexión de centros de datos y proponemos un modelo basado en notificaciones donde la gestión de la conectividad entre centros de datos se delega al operador de red. Estudiamos la provisión de redes virtuales para soportar en la nube de operador servicios que requieren parámetros específicos en los acuerdos de nivel de servicio además de los habituales. Finalmente, nos centramos en el estudio de la orquestación de centros de datos y redes con el objetivo de satisfacer de forma simultánea requisitos para distintos servicios.Postprint (published version

Improvement of sound quality in spaces and products

The perceived quality of any electrical appliance, vehicle, or either interior or exterior spaces is influenced by the quality of its sound, and this includes the reduction of noise, but also a fine tuning of its sound features. Sound quality is growing field of study that transversally influences the design of products and spaces, combining objective measures with subjective perception of people. Closed to mechanical and acoustics engineering, sound quality and soundscapes bring people views into the scene, trying to translate their subjective response into objective parameters that can be implemented in a product or a space. I2A2 has been involved in several research projects closely related to the optimization of sound emissions of products, such electrical appliances or vehicle components, and spaces, such as vehicle cabins, building components or rooms in an industr

Student Ensemble: Symphony Orchestra Concerto Concert

Center for the Performing ArtsApril 22, 2014Tuesday Evening8:00 p.m

Elastic spectrum allocation in flexgrid optical networks

Estudi de patrons d'elasticitat en xarxes òptiques flexibles i la seva aplicació i implementació en entorns de tràfic estàtic i dinàmic.[ANGLÈS] In this work it is presented the study and the obtained results when applying elasticity in flexible optical networks using flexgrid technology and with objective to evaluate a future line of work that helps to solve the routing and spectrum allocation within next-generation optical networks. For this project, a set of elasticity schemes is proposed and these schemes are evaluated solving the network planning problem proposed, in which traffic demands vary in time. Moreover, in order to evaluate the schemes in realistic network scenarios, both Mathematical Programming and a heuristic are proposed. Finally, the main conclusions regarding the use of elasticity are presented for concluding this work.[CASTELLÀ] En este trabajo se presenta el estudio y los resultados obtenidos al aplicar elasticidad en redes ópticas flexibles con tecnología flexgrid. El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar una futura vía de trabajo que ayude a resolver el problema del enrutamiento y la asignación de espectro en redes ópticas de próxima generación.[CATALÀ] En aquest treball es presenta l'estudi i els resultats obtinguts en aplicar elasticitat a xarxes òptiques flexibles amb tecnologia flexgrid amb l'objectiu d'evaluar una futura via de treball que ajudi a resoldre el problema d'enrutament i assignació d'espectre en les xarxes òptiques de propera generació. Per dur a terme aquest projecte, es planteja un conjunt d'esquemes d'elasticitat que són avaluats per mitjà del problema de planificació de xarxa proposat, on les demandes de tràfic varien en el temps. Es proposen diverses formulacions matemàtiques i una heurística per avaluar els esquemes sobre xarxes realistes. Finalment, s'exposen conclusions sobre l'aplicació de la elasticitat al final d'aquest treball

El territori en disputa: l'arquitectura sobre la logística

La logística ha esdevingut en una eina indispensable per dur a terme transformacions territorials en diferents moments històrics, ja que la seva repercussió s’estén a totes les capes de la societat i es desplega per totes les escales espacials. Per tant, ens trobem davant d’una contradicció: la seva dimensió la fa ineludible, però la seva complexitat dificulta la comprensió de les seves implicacions en el món. És per aquest motiu que l’objectiu d’aquest treball és proporcionar un marc teòric i pràctic per a comprendre les conseqüències i les potencialitats de la logística com a fenomen estructurador del territori, sota una perspectiva crítica del seu model operatiu actual. Per fer-ho, s’analitza la logística des de diferents òptiques: des de casos concrets, les gigafactories, fins a la logística com a pràctica global. En conseqüència, la finalitat del document és confirmar i obrir camins per a projectar l’arquitectura de la logística i, d’aquesta manera, minimitzar i mitigar les conseqüències socials, econòmiques i ecològiques que ha tingut associades fins ara. L’aspiració és generar una base conceptual i projectual que fonamenta futurs projectes a diferents escales, des de la global a la concreta; des de la logística a la gigafactoria.La logística se ha convertido en una herramienta indispensable para llevar a cabo transformaciones territoriales en diferentes momentos históricos, ya que su repercusión se extiende a todas las capas de la sociedad y se despliega en todas las escalas espaciales. Por lo tanto, nos encontramos frente a una contradicción: su dimensión la hace ineludible, pero su complejidad dificulta la comprensión de sus implicaciones en el mundo. Es por este motivo que el objetivo de este trabajo es proporcionar un marco teórico y práctico para comprender las consecuencias y potencialidades de la logística como fenómeno estructurador del territorio, desde una perspectiva crítica de su modelo operativo actual. Para ello, se analiza la logística desde diferentes ópticas: desde casos concretos, como las gigafactorías, hasta la logística como práctica global. En consecuencia, la finalidad del documento es confirmar y abrir caminos para proyectar la arquitectura de la logística y, de esta manera, minimizar y mitigar las consecuencias sociales, económicas y ecológicas asociadas hasta ahora. La aspiración es generar una base conceptual y proyectual que fundamenta futuros proyectos en diferentes escalas, desde lo global hasta lo concreto; desde la logística hasta la gigafactoría.Logistics has become an indispensable tool for developing territorial transformations at different historical moments, as its impact extends to all layers of society and unfolds across spatial scales. Therefore, we are facing a contradiction: its dimension makes it unavoidable, but its complexity hinders the understanding of its implications in the world. For this reason, the objective of this work is to provide a theoretical and practical framework to understand the consequences and potentialities of logistics as a structuring phenomenon of the territory, from a critical perspective of its current operational model. To achieve this, logistics is analyzed from different perspectives: from specific cases such as gigafactories to logistics as a global practice. As a result, the purpose of this document is to confirm and pave the way for designing the architecture of logistics and, thus, minimizing and mitigating the social, economic, and ecological consequences associated with it. The aspiration is to generate a conceptual and projective foundation that supports future projects at different scales, from the global to the particular; from logistics to gigafactories

An escape room for an alternative evaluation system

Our traditional education system spins around evaluation and its traditional grading system: summative assessment. In that system, professors spend time and effort trying to be “fair” when they mark the exercises, while students' main concern is snatching enough points to pass. We believe learning should be at the center. Students should put their energy on learning and professors on facilitating this learning process. However, we are still required to give a mark. We propose a game to achieve formative assessment. Play is a source of motivation to both engage students and enhance learning. The aim is that students should learn and enjoy their learning. We have designed an escape room with different sets of questions, each set corresponds to one topic. The student is presented with one activity to solve correctly. There is no grading but feedback: the answer can either be correct or incorrect. If the answer is correct, the student moves on to the next set of questions, otherwise the student is challenged with another activity of the same set. This goes on until the student solves one exercise correctly of each set. The student can only escape the room if one exercise of each topic is solved correctly. All activities proposed are of a basic level and if the student escapes the room he has a pass. Another bundle of sets can be done with more advanced exercises and if the student escapes the room he would achieve a higher mark. The method emphasizes two fundamental (but neglected) aspects of education: (i) the joy of learning; and (ii) diversity, as we give students as many opportunities as they need to learn at their own pace without penalty.This work has been supported by the Institut de Ciències de l’Educació (ICE) Convocatòria de projectes d’innovació docent 2021 (Acord CG/2021/02/34, de 9 d'abril de 2021) and by Escola Tècnica d’Enginyeria de Telecomunicació (upctelecos-BarcelonaTech).Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Shotgun metagenomics to investigate unknown viral etiologies of pediatric meningoencephalitis

Introduction: Meningoencephalitis in children poses a diagnostic challenge, as etiology remains unknown for most of patients. Viral metagenomics by shotgun sequencing represents a powerful tool for investigating unknown viral infections related to these cases. Patients and methods: In a two-year, reference-centre, retrospective study, we investigated the usefulness of viral metagenomics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for the diagnosis of viral infectious meningoencephalitis in forty seven pediatric patients, forty of them previously tested negative with a routine neurologic panel of viral targets that included herpesvirus 1-3 and enterovirus. We enhanced the detection by targeting viral sequences by hybrid capture. Raw sequence data was analysed using three bioinformatics pipelines. Results: Out of forty remaining children with meningoencephalitis of unknown viral etiology, a significant detection of viral nucleic acid by shotgun sequencing was found in twenty one, which was confirmed in ten of them by specific PCR: seven human endogenous retrovirus K113 (HER K113), one parechovirus 3, one human herpesvirus 5 (HHV5); one enterovirus B (Echovirus 9). The remaining eleven CSF were not confirmed by PCR: three rotavirus, one human herpesvirus 7 (HHV7), one influenza A, one mastadenovirus C, one sindbis virus, one torque teno virus, one human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), one human alphaherpesvirus 3 (HHV3), one human alphaherpesvirus 2 (HHV2). Conclusions: Underutilization of currently available meningitis-encephalitis diagnostic techniques such as BioFire® FilmArray® is the main cause of undiagnosed cases of meningoencephalitis. However, in this study we detected uncommon viruses that should be considered, including virus, rotavirus, sindbis virus, influenza A virus and HHV7. No other viral sequences that could be readily linked to CNS inflammation were detected. Some findings may stem from reagent or sample contamination, as seen with papillomavirus; for others, the clinical relevance of the virus remains uncertain and should be substantiated by further studies, as is the case with endogenous retrovirus K113 virus. Online bioinformatics pipeline CZID represents a valuable tool for analysing shotgun sequencing data in cases of neurological conditions with unknown etiology. Altogether, this study highlights the potential of shotgun sequencing in identifying previously unknown viral neuropathogens and sheds light on the interpretation issues related to its application in clinical microbiology.This work was supported by a grant from Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Project code MPY434/2021. The funder had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.S