Helix Multi-layered: a context broker federation for an efficient cloud-to-things continuum

Abstract

Next-generation networks offer a flexible virtualized infrastructure that aligns back-end platforms for the Internet of Things with the management and orchestration (MANO) platforms. Together, they can synchronously support and improve application performance while establishing a cloud-to-things continuum. This study examines the architecture of the Helix Multi-layered technology platform designed for the management and distributed processing of context information through horizontal and vertical data federation techniques through a multi-level approach. We set out the architecture of the Helix Multi-layered platform with regard to its internal components, operating modes, and steps of its integration process, together with the 5th Generation (5G) mobile network infrastructure mediated by the Novel Enablers for Cloud Slicing (NECOS), a Lightweight Slice-Defined Cloud (LSDC) platform. The integration of NECOS and Helix Multi-layered platforms is examined in a test laboratory. In the article, experiments are carried out to compare the internal processing time of Helix Broker with that of Orion Context Broker, FIWARE’s main context broker. An assessment is made of the performance of some operating modes with the aim of achieving low latency in communication between the devices located at the edge. The experiments showed One-Way-Delay (OWD) values close to those of the Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (uRLLC) requirements that are expected in 5G mobile networks.