SoftCell: Scalable and Flexible Cellular Core Network Architecture

Abstract

SoftCell is introduced as a scalable architecture for addressing challenges in cell core networks, characterised by means of inflexible and highly-priced gadget, at the side of complex control-plane protocols. This answer leverages commodity switches and servers to permit high-quality-grained policies for cellular gadgets. SoftCell allows the implementation of high-stage carrier regulations, directing site visitors through sequences of middleboxes based totally on subscriber attributes and packages. To optimize forwarding tables, the architecture aggregates traffic across numerous dimensions, along with carrier coverage, base station, and cell tool. Fine-grained packet classification is carried out at get admission to switches to deal with state and bandwidth necessities effectively. SoftCell guarantees that packets from the identical connection traverse the equal middlebox collection in each guideline, regardless of mobility. The effectiveness of SoftCell is established via evaluation of real LTE workloads, micro-benchmarks on the prototype controller, and massive-scale simulations, showcasing progressed scalability and versatility in cellular middle networks.