Slice embedding solutions for distributed service architectures
Date
2011-12-13
DOI
Authors
Esposito, Flavio
Matta, Ibrahim
Ishakian, Vatche
Version
OA Version
Citation
Esposito, Flavio; Matta, Ibrahim; Ishakian, Vatche. "Slice Embedding Solutions for Distributed Service Architectures", Technical Report BUCS-TR-2011-025, Computer Science Department, Boston University, December 13, 2011. [Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2144/11382]
Abstract
Network virtualization provides a novel approach to run multiple concurrent virtual networks over a common physical network infrastructure. From a research perspective, this enables the networking community to concurrently experiment with new Internet architectures and protocols. From a market perspective, on the other hand, this paradigm is appealing as it enables infrastructure service providers to experiment with new business models that range from leasing virtual slices of their infrastructure to host multiple concurrent network services. In this paper, we present the slice embedding problem and recent developments in the area. A slice is a set of virtual instances spanning a set of physical resources. The embedding problem consists of three main tasks: (1) resource discovery, which involves monitoring the state of the physical resources, (2) virtual network mapping, which involves matching users’ requests with the available resources, and (3) allocation, which involves assigning the resources that match the users’ query. We also outline how these three tasks are tightly connected, and how there exists a wide spectrum of solutions that either solve a particular task, or jointly solve multiple tasks along with the interactions among them. To dissect the space of solutions, we introduce three main classification criteria, namely, (1) the type of constraints imposed by the user, (2) the type of dynamics considered in the embedding process, and (3) the allocation strategy adopted. Finally, we conclude with a few interesting research directions.