Network Optimization as a Service with Net2Plan

Abstract

Carrier-grade telecommunication infrastructure must support an ever-increasing traffic volume and dynamicity in operationally-complex networks characterized by multiple domains, multiple technologies and equipment from multiple vendors. At the same time, the advent of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technologies create transport ecosystems with unprecedented network control and resource dynamicity capabilities. In this context, network optimization is essential to efficiently employ network resources, relying whenever possible on automated procedures and exploiting open application programming interfaces (APIs) inherent of SDN/NFV ecosystems. Automated network optimization procedures on top of network controllers promote a client layer of third-party applications that enable optimization-as-a-service (OaaS) business opportunities. In this paper, we present a network OaaS framework built as an extension of the Net2Plan open-source network planning tool. The proposed framework is based on a classical client-server architecture, and through a REST-based API, holders of network infrastructures (i.e. client role) may request the resolution of a network resource allocation problem through the execution of an algorithmic technique. Thus, third-party players can focus on the development of optimization algorithms (i.e. server role) while potentially providing high-performance computing (HPC) capabilities for their execution. Through the paper, we detail the workflow of the proposed OaaS, illustrate its usage with several use-cases and discuss its applicability in different scenarios.

IT and Multi-layer Online Resource Allocation and Offline Planning in Metropolitan Networks

“…Firstly, on top of the functional schema, the role of the operator is represented by an Operations Support System (OSS) realized with a specific extension of Net2plan. The cloud/network optimization tasks are externalized in the network OaaS module [9], which relies on optimization procedures on top of network controllers and orchestrators exploiting a software layer of third-party applications to request, in this case, efficiency in IT and network resource allocations. The Net2Plan-based OaaS module exposes a REST-API, which includes calls to request the computation of a joint VNF placement and multilayer resource allocation solution for a network service request.…”

“…Results clearly show that design costs increase as the proportion of low-latency flows grow, as more NFV capabilities need to get closer to the network edge, and thus the economies of scale are degraded. Then, we review our recent NFV-IP-WDM resource provisioning demonstration [1], which comprises a full-interconnected SDN-NFV test-bed with externalized intelligence hosted in a Net2plan-based network Optimization as a Service (OaaS) architecture [9]. Specifically, several subroutines contained in LA-ML-SCA to iteratively provision network resources (i.e.…”

INSPIRING-SNI: Investigating SDN Programmability Improving Optical South- and North-Bound Interfaces

“…A remarkable contribution of INSPIRING-SNI was [21], which introduced the concept of network optimization as a service (OaaS). Network OaaS is based on a classical client-server architecture, and through a RESTful API, holders of network infrastructures (i.e.…”

“…The WIM employed an OaaS client to query the OaaS server for the optimal path computation across the network infrastructure (i.e. a practical usage of [21]) and then performed the relevant NBI calls to the connected SDN controllers. In the reported experiment, the WIM was able to leverage two distinct, domain-specific, SDN controllers (one for the packet layer and one for the optical network) to stablish an optimal WAN connecting Virtual Network Functions (VNF) of a single VNF chain distributed among different infrastructure providers.…”

“…As described above, Fig. 2a) comprises: the overview of SBI alternatives for the interaction between the SDN controller and the agents [18], a demonstration of a Net2Plan-based network application accessing in real-time optical data-plane parameters thought the entire stack [19], a specific software development for the agents interacting with emulated hardware [20], the proposal of a network OaaS architecture and its interface [21], and its usage in an experimental demonstration [22]. Fig.…”