Dynamic architecture based on network virtualization and distributed orchestration for management of autonomic network
Guy Saadon, Yoram Haddad, Noëmie Simoni · 2019
In network management architectures of 5G and IoT networks, standardization groups often consider the network resource virtualization layer between the physical network and the SDN controller, as a means to allow deployment and placement of network services with their virtual network functions. However, the following question arises: is this layer enough to react to real-time changes originating from customers or the network without interrupting the service? We consider that a dynamic architecture should allow different and evolving assemblies to be provisioned during a session, in order to meet modification requests without requiring total redesign of the network service. Therefore, in this study, we propose an enhanced architecture. This novel architecture adds a network virtualization layer above the SDN controller with its associated orchestrator. Then, efficiently distributing orchestration among the different layers ensures network autonomy. In this context, we show how real-time service modifications and network failures are handled without losing the existing services and how network management gains additional dynamicity and flexibility.