An Online Algorithm for Dynamic NFV Placement in Cloud-Based Autonomous Response Networks

Leonardo Ochoa-Aday,Cristina Cervelló-Pastor,Paola Grosso,Adriana Fernández-Fernández

doi:10.3390/sym10050163

Leonardo Ochoa-Aday, Cristina Cervelló-Pastor + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/sym10050163

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Abstract

Autonomous response networks are becoming a reality thanks to recent advances in cloud computing, Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies. These enhanced networks fully enable autonomous real-time management of virtualized infrastructures. In this context, one of the major challenges is how virtualized network resources can be effectively placed. Although this issue has been addressed before in cloud-based environments, it is not yet completely resolved for the online placement of virtual machines. For such a purpose, this paper proposes an online heuristic algorithm called Topology-Aware Placement of Virtual Network Functions (TAP-VNF) as a low-complexity solution for such dynamic infrastructures. As a complement, we provide a general formulation of the network function placement using the service function chaining concept. Furthermore, two metrics called consolidation and aggregation validate the efficiency of the proposal in the experimental simulations. We have compared our approach with optimal solutions, in terms of consolidation and aggregation ratios, showing a more suitable performance for dynamic cloud-based environments. The obtained results show that TAP-VNF also outperforms existing approaches based on traditional bin packing schemes.

Highlights

IntroductionThe evolution of information and communication technologies (i.e., cloud computing, Internet of Things, 5G, etc.) has enabled a large market of applications and network services for a massive number of users connected to the Internet [1]
The evolution of information and communication technologies has enabled a large market of applications and network services for a massive number of users connected to the Internet [1]
Autonomic management has been identified as the generation of network management [3], we identify a lack of proposals that adopt the Autonomic Network Management (ANM) paradigm into an Network Function Virtualization (NFV)/Software-Defined Networking (SDN)

Summary

Introduction

The evolution of information and communication technologies (i.e., cloud computing, Internet of Things, 5G, etc.) has enabled a large market of applications and network services for a massive number of users connected to the Internet [1]. To overcome these ever-increasing demands, network operators will require emerging solutions to effectively manage their network resources in a dynamic and flexible manner. Today’s networks rely on a mixture of service functions (i.e., load balancing, network address translation, firewall, etc.) implemented on proprietary hardware appliances In this context, NFV transforms current network services into Virtual Network Functions (VNF), replacing vendor-specific hardware implementations by software embedded into commodity servers [1]. SDN is a network design that centralizes the control plane functions of underlying forwarding devices

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