Slice Orchestration Research Articles

Editorial for Wiley's IJSCN Special Issue “Satellite networks integration with 5G”

Editorial for Wiley's IJSCN Special Issue “Satellite networks integration with 5G”

End-to-end network slice architecture and distribution across 5G micro-operator leveraging multi-domain and multi-tenancy

Local 5G networks are emerging as a new form for 5G deployment, targeting service delivery for vertical-specific purposes and other local users. These networks are also known as micro-operator networks for which prior work has established different deployment scenarios, namely Closed, Open and Mixed Networks. To achieve network flexibility, customization and privacy required by various vertical sectors, such as industry, health and energy, it is essential to have a well-defined network slicing architecture and adequate implementation procedure. In this paper, a sophisticated end-to-end network slicing architecture is proposed for different deployment scenarios of the local 5G micro-operator concept. The proposed architecture incorporates a broad four-layer concept, leveraging a multi-tenancy layer for different tenants and their end users, a descriptive service layer, a multi-domain slicing management and orchestration layer, and a resource layer. We further propose a network slice instance (NSI) communication service distribution technique for local 5G micro-operators. This is achieved by expanding/leveraging the communication service management function in the multi-tenant layer into a multi-tenant manager and an orchestrator of communication services. In addition, we describe how the communication service orchestrator will address all the possible multitenant-slice situations during the distribution of a network slice instance to multiple tenants. The novel methods described in the paper present a solution for not only network slice communication service distribution across different micro-operator’s tenants but also for future use cases, especially, when the allocated slice is responsible for multiple tenants or when a tenant requests multiple NSIs.

Network Slice Lifecycle Management for 5G Mobile Networks: An Intent-Based Networking Approach

Network slicing in 5G is a solution to accommodate a wide range of services. It also enables the network operators to establish multiple end-to-end (e2e) logically isolated and customized networks with shared or dedicated resources over the same infrastructure. Although, many tools and platforms have been developed to accomplish the management and orchestration (MANO) of e2e network slicing automatically, it is still challenging. Each of these platforms requires expertise and manual effort to define the requirements for the provisioning of the resources. The other issue is the generation of well-defined network slice configurations with lifecycle parameters. To this end, this paper proposes an efficient solution that automates the configuration process and performs the management and orchestration of network slices. This solution contains a one-touch Intent-based Networking (IBN) platform that effectively orchestrates and manages the lifecycle of multi-domain slice resources. IBN automates the process of slice configuration generation, service provisioning, service update, and service assurance by eliminating experts and manual effort. Furthermore, it has an intelligent Deep Learning (DL) based resource update and assurance mechanism which handles the run-time resource scalability and assurance.

Toward a Real Deployment of Network Services Orchestration and Configuration Convergence Framework for 5G Network Slices

A seamless interworking between network function virtualization (NFV) and software defined networking (SDN) to orchestrate network services for the 5G systems is very fundamental for network slice creation. The orchestration of large scale network slices across multiple administrative as well as technological domains with heterogeneous resources and a distributed form of slice management can benefit from harnessing existing NFV orchestration (NFVO) solutions. In this regard, this article presents a network service orchestration and configuration convergence framework that is capable of providing a large scale network slicing solution for 5G network operators. Using this framework, 5G network operators can orchestrate and configure network slices directly from their infrastructure and that of credible registered slice providers who have resources for the orchestration of only a subset of the overall network slice. The framework is equipped with mechanisms that allow a distributed form of slice configuration and management.

Dynamic Resource Provisioning of a Scalable E2E Network Slicing Orchestration System

Network slicing allows different applications and network services to be deployed on virtualized resources running on a common underlying physical infrastructure. Developing a scalable system for the orchestration of end-to-end (E2E) mobile network slices requires careful planning and very reliable algorithms. In this paper, we propose a novel E2E Network Slicing Orchestration System (NSOS) and a Dynamic Auto- Scaling Algorithm (DASA) for it. Our NSOS relies strongly on the foundation of a hierarchical architecture that incorporates dedicated entities per domain to manage every segment of the mobile network from the access, to the transport and core network part for a scalable orchestration of federated network slices. The DASA enables the NSOS to autonomously adapt its resources to changes in the demand for slice orchestration requests (SORs) while enforcing a given mean overall time taken by the NSOS to process any SOR. The proposed DASA includes both proactive and reactive resource provisioning techniques). The proposed resource dimensioning heuristic algorithm of the DASA is based on a queuing model for the NSOS, which consists of an open network of G/G/m queues. Finally, we validate the proper operation and evaluate the performance of our DASA solution for the NSOS by means of system-level simulations.

LACO: A Latency-Driven Network Slicing Orchestration in Beyond-5G Networks

Network Slicing is expected to become a game changer in the upcoming 5G networks and beyond, enlarging the telecom business ecosystem through still-unexplored vertical industry profits. This implies that heterogeneous service level agreements (SLAs) must be guaranteed per slice given the multitude of predefined requirements. In this paper, we pioneer a novel radio slicing orchestration solution that simultaneously provides latency and throughput guarantees in a multi-tenancy environment. Leveraging on a solid mathematical framework, we exploit the exploration-vs-exploitation paradigm by means of a multi-armed-bandit-based (MAB) orchestrator, LACO, that makes adaptive resource slicing decisions with no prior knowledge on the traffic demand or channel quality statistics. As opposed to traditional MAB methods that are blind to the underlying system, LACO relies on system structure information to expedite decisions. After a preliminary simulations campaign empirically proving the validness of our solution, we provide a robust implementation of LACO using off-the-shelf equipment to fully emulate realistic network conditions: near-optimal results within affordable computational time are measured when LACO is in place.

MESON: Optimized Cross-Slice Communication for Edge Computing

Network slicing is set out to address crucial needs of 5G, including support for multi-service provisioning. Focusing on resource and performance isolation, as well as security concerns associated with multi-tenancy, existing management and orchestration (MANO) frameworks typically offer network slices in the form of isolated bundles of computing, storage, and network resources across the network infrastructure, including the edge. However, network slice instantiation in its prevailing form raises significant concerns related to performance and resource utilization, hindering potential business-to-business (B2B) synergies. In this article, we discuss a new aspect of network slicing, optimized cross-slice communication (CSC). We argue that multi-tenancy and service co-location open up unique opportunities for B2B interactions, inter-service communications, and service composition, especially in the domain of edge computing and location-based services. In this context, we present optimized edge slice orchestration (MESON), a MANO-based architecture for optimized CSC in edge clouds. We discuss the main architecture components and descriptors, as well as the steps required for the discovery of CSC-enabled services and the establishment of optimized CSC among co-located slices.

5G network slicing using SDN and NFV: A survey of taxonomy, architectures and future challenges

The increasing consumption of multimedia services and the demand of high-quality services from customers has triggered a fundamental change in how we administer networks in terms of abstraction, separation, and mapping of forwarding, control and management aspects of services. The industry and the academia are embracing 5G as the future network capable to support next generation vertical applications with different service requirements. To realize this vision in 5G network, the physical network has to be sliced into multiple isolated logical networks of varying sizes and structures which are dedicated to different types of services based on their requirements with different characteristics and requirements (e.g., a slice for massive IoT devices, smartphones or autonomous cars, etc.). Softwarization using Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV)in 5G networks are expected to fill the void of programmable control and management of network resources.In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review and updated solutions related to 5G network slicing using SDN and NFV. Firstly, we present 5G service quality and business requirements followed by a description of 5G network softwarization and slicing paradigms including essential concepts, history and different use cases. Secondly, we provide a tutorial of 5G network slicing technology enablers including SDN, NFV, MEC, cloud/Fog computing, network hypervisors, virtual machines & containers. Thidly, we comprehensively survey different industrial initiatives and projects that are pushing forward the adoption of SDN and NFV in accelerating 5G network slicing. A comparison of various 5G architectural approaches in terms of practical implementations, technology adoptions and deployment strategies is presented. Moreover, we provide a discussion on various open source orchestrators and proof of concepts representing industrial contribution. The work also investigates the standardization efforts in 5G networks regarding network slicing and softwarization. Additionally, the article presents the management and orchestration of network slices in a single domain followed by a comprehensive survey of management and orchestration approaches in 5G network slicing across multiple domains while supporting multiple tenants. Furthermore, we highlight the future challenges and research directions regarding network softwarization and slicing using SDN and NFV in 5G networks.

On Multi-Domain Network Slicing Orchestration Architecture and Federated Resource Control

A sophisticated and efficient network slicing architecture is needed to support the orchestration of network slices across multiple administrative domains. Such multi-domain architecture shall be agnostic of the underlying virtualization and network infrastructure technologies. Its objective is to extend the traditional orchestration, management and control capabilities by means of models and constructs in order to form a well-stitched composition of network slices. To facilitate such a composition of networking and compute/storage resources, this article introduces a management and orchestration architecture that incorporates Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) components to the basic 3GPP network slice management. The proposed architecture is broadly divided into four major strata, namely the Multi-domain Service Conductor Stratum, Domain-specific Fully- Fledged Orchestration Stratum, Sub-Domain MANO and Connectivity Stratum, and Logical Multi-domain Slice Instance stratum. Each of these strata is described in detail, providing the fundamental operational specifics for instantiating and managing the resulting federated network slices.

Network Slicing-Based Customization of 5G Mobile Services

Through network slicing, different requirements of different applications and services can be met. These requirements can be in terms of latency, bandwidth, mobility support, defining service area, as well as security. Through fine and dynamic tuning of network slices, services can have their delivery platforms constantly customized according to their changing needs. In this article, we present our implementation of an E2E network slice orchestration platform, evaluate its performance in terms of dynamic deployment of network slices in an E2E fashion, and discuss how its functionality can be enhanced to better customize the network slices according to the needs of their respective services.

Enabling the Orchestration of IoT Slices through Edge and Cloud Microservice Platforms.

This article addresses one of the main challenges related to the practical deployment of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions: the coordinated operation of entities at different infrastructures to support the automated orchestration of end-to-end Internet of Things services. This idea is referred to as “Internet of Things slicing” and is based on the network slicing concept already defined for the Fifth Generation (5G) of mobile networks. In this context, we present the architectural design of a slice orchestrator addressing the aforementioned challenge, based on well-known standard technologies and protocols. The proposed solution is able to integrate existing technologies, like cloud computing, with other more recent technologies like edge computing and network slicing. In addition, a functional prototype of the proposed orchestrator has been implemented, using open-source software and microservice platforms. As a first step to prove the practical feasibility of our solution, the implementation of the orchestrator considers cloud and edge domains. The validation results obtained from the prototype prove the feasibility of the solution from a functional perspective, verifying its capacity to deploy Internet of Things related functions even on resource constrained platforms. This approach enables new application models where these Internet of Things related functions can be onboarded on small unmanned aerial vehicles, offering a flexible and cost-effective solution to deploy these functions at the network edge. In addition, this proposal can also be used on commercial cloud platforms, like the Google Compute Engine, showing that it can take advantage of the benefits of edge and cloud computing respectively.

Dynamic Reservation and Deep Reinforcement Learning Based Autonomous Resource Slicing for Virtualized Radio Access Networks

The elastic reconstruction of 5G network services is expected to provide the capability of network slice orchestration to access the network on demand, guarantee service experience on demand, and construct services on demand as well as to construct basic network services with lower costs. It is challenging to have different applications served independently with a proper resource allocation mechanism according to their own requirements. In this paper, we propose a dynamic resource reservation and deep reinforcement learning-based autonomous virtual resource slicing framework for the next generation radio access network. The infrastructure provider periodically reserves the unused resource to the virtual networks based on their ratio of minimum resource requirements. Then, the virtual networks autonomously control their resource amount using deep reinforcement learning based on the average quality of service utility and resource utilization of users. With the defined framework in this paper, virtual operators can customize their own utility function and objective function based on their own requirements. The simulation results show the performances on convergence rate, resource utilization, and satisfaction of the virtual networks.

Slice Orchestration for Multi-Service Disaggregated Ultra-Dense RANs

Ultra-dense networks (UDNs) are a natural deployment evolution for handling the tremendous traffic increase related to the emerging 5G services, especially in urban environments. However, the associated infrastructure cost may become prohibitive. The evolving paradigm of network slicing can tackle such a challenge while optimizing the network resource usage, enabling multi-tenancy and facilitating resource sharing and efficient service-oriented communications. Indeed, network slicing in UDN deployments can offer the desired degree of customization in not only vanilla radio access network (RAN) designs, but also in the case of disaggregated multi-service RANs. In this article, we devise a novel multi-service RAN environment, RAN runtime, capable of supporting slice orchestration procedures and enabling flexible customization of slices as per tenant needs. Each network slice can exploit a number of services, which can be either dedicated or shared between multiple slices over a common RAN. The novel architecture we present concentrates on the orchestration and management systems. It interacts with the RAN modules, through the RAN runtime, via a number of new interfaces enabling a customized dedicated orchestration logic for each slice. We present results for a disaggregated UDN deployment where the RAN runtime is used to support slice-based multi-service chain creation and chain placement, with an auto-scaling mechanism to increase the performance.