Abstract
In this paper, we identify the main challenges and problems related with the management and orchestration of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) over aerial networks built with Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAVs). Our analysis starts from a reference scenario, where several SUAVs are deployed over a delimited geographic area, and provide a mobile cloud environment that supports the deployment of functions and services using Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) technologies. After analyzing the main challenges to NFV orchestration in this reference scenario from a theoretical perspective, we undertake the study of one specific but relevant aspect following a practical perspective, i.e., the limitations of existing transport-layer solutions to support the dissemination of NFV management and orchestration information in the considered scenario. While in traditional cloud computing environments this traffic is delivered using TCP, our simulation results suggest that using this protocol over an aerial network of SUAVs presents certain limitations. Finally, based on the lessons learned from our practical analysis, the paper outlines different alternatives that could be followed to address these challenges.
Highlights
The future introduction of 5G technologies into the market is expected to completely change the telecommunications industry for the decade to come: increased data rates, improved wireless transmission latency, and cost optimization will bring new and exciting opportunities to develop novel functionalities and applications for both consumers and the industry itself [1].these objectives can only be reached with an appropriate evolution of our contemporary technologies, since current mechanisms may not provide a viable and cost-effective solution to meet the ever-increasing data demands
The Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)-SmallUnmanned Aerial Vehicles (SUAV) combination has delivered of its benefits can be seen in [20], where authors propose a full video-surveillance system for big poorly internet-covered areas using UAVs, whose mobility can be used to distribute the aircraft along an specific geographical region to obtain video footage, using NFV as the platform to transmit the video signal through a network of several Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) running inside the aircraft
As we have described in the previous section, the research community has shown growing interest towards the softwarization of network functions over SUAV platforms: these aircraft may have enough potential to provide a flexible environment to run VNFs on an NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) infrastructure, allowing development and creation of a wide variety of Network Services (NSes)
Summary
The future introduction of 5G technologies into the market is expected to completely change the telecommunications industry for the decade to come: increased data rates, improved wireless transmission latency, and cost optimization will bring new and exciting opportunities to develop novel functionalities and applications for both consumers and the industry itself [1]. Due to their limitless mobility and their capacity to onboard diverse hardware equipment as their payload, they provide a powerful tool that enables a wide range of new and appealing applications and services, such as road traffic monitoring using SUAVs [2], providing support for search and rescue missions [3] and natural disasters [4]. Our simulation results suggest that the use of TCP to disseminate orchestration information across an aerial network of SUAVs presents some limitations Considering these results, the paper anticipates a set of research directions for contributing to a future view of an effective integration of NFV technologies into SUAV platforms.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
