Virtual Core Network Resource Allocation in 5G Systems using Three-Sided Matching

Abstract

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is one of the key drivers of 5G systems, which involves the virtualization of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and the 5G Core. This entails deploying virtual instances of core network functions in Cloud Networks (CNs), resulting in a virtual EPC (vEPC)/5G Core network. NFV resource allocation is a popular research topic in 5G systems, and a distributed solution based on the interdependencies between all the important entities is very crucial. Accordingly, in this paper, we propose a three-sided matching based framework for virtual resource allocation in next-generation networks. We utilize the Restricted Three-sided Matching with Size and Cyclic preference (R-TMSC) problem to model the relationships between Tracking Areas (TAs) (Base Stations (BSs) organized together in groups), CNs and Virtual Network Function (VNF) instances in a vEPC/5G Core network. The simulation results clearly demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed framework in terms of the data rates provided by the CNs and user satisfaction, compared to a centralized random allocation approach.