Abstract
Notwithstanding the significant attention that network function virtualization architectures received over the last few years, little attention has been placed on cases where proactive caching is considered within a service chain. Caching algorithms have been developed independently from virtual network function (VNF) chaining schemes, and as we explain in detail in this paper such operation might lead to sub-optimal overall network and service performance. Since caching of popular content is envisioned to be one of the key adopted technologies in emerging 5G networks to increase network efficiency and overall end user perceived quality of service, we explicitly consider the interplay and subsequent optimization of caching-based VNF service chains. To this end, a mathematical programming framework is proposed tailored to VNF caching chains and, in addition, we detail a scale-free heuristic algorithm to provide competitive solutions for large network instances since the problem itself can be seen as a variant of the classical NP-hard uncapacitated facility location problem. A wide set of numerical investigations is presented for characterizing the attainable system performance of the proposed schemes.
Highlights
I T is well accepted that current mobile network architectures suffer from insufficient scalability and flexibility to speedily accommodate new services and ability to embrace vertical industries [1]
Notwithstanding the significant attention that Network Function Virtualization (NFV) architectures received over the last few years little attention has been placed in cases where proactive caching is considered within a service chain
A mathematical programming framework is proposed tailored to virtual network function (VNF) caching chains and in addition detail a scale-free heuristic algorithm to provide competitive solutions for large network instances since the problem itself can be seen as a variant of the classical NPhard Uncapacitated Facility Location (UFL) problem
Summary
I T is well accepted that current mobile network architectures suffer from insufficient scalability and flexibility to speedily accommodate new services and ability to embrace vertical industries [1]. In that respect, caching of popular content deserves paying a special attention in terms of VNF hosting location and chaining This is because in the most general case, a cached content must be visited before other VNFs can be applied and this service flow might originate from different possible network locations depending on the caching strategy. In other words, this type of service does not need to reach a gateway node or a specific cloud but can originate at any node that host the required cached content (which, most probably, be topologically closer to the end user).
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