Dependence-Aware Service Function Chain Embedding in Optical Networks

Abstract

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technology decouples network functions from proprietary hardware equipments. As a result, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) implement software-based network functions on generic highvolume substrate network devices. In NFV, a Service Function Chain (SFC) is defined as an ordered set of abstract network functions running on specific substrate nodes (e.g., servers). A challenging issue in NFV management and orchestration is how to optimize the Dependence-aware SFC Embedding in substrate Optical networks (D_SFCE_O). In this paper, we propose a novel algorithm, namely, Dependence-aware SFC embedding with Least-Used consecutive subcarriers (D_SFC_LU), which jointly optimizes SFC design, SFC mapping and spectrum allocation in optical networks. To minimize resource consumption, D_SFC_LU takes advantages of the proposed techniques: Impact Factor based Node Selection (IFNS), Chain Node Mapping (CNM) and Chain-Fit (CF) spectrum allocation. Our simulation and analysis demonstrate that D_SFC_LU can efficiently embed a network requests while minimizing the required substrate resource in optical networks.