Network Function Virtualization Concepts and Applicability in 5G Networks

A horizontal view of newly emerged technologies in the field of network function virtualization (NFV), introducing the open source implementation efforts that bring NFV from design to reality

This book explores the newly emerged technique of network function virtualization (NFV) through use cases, architecture, and challenges, as well as standardization and open source implementations. It is the first systematic source of information about cloud technologies' usage in the cellular network, covering the interplay of different technologies, the discussion of different design choices, and its impact on our future cellular network.

Network Function Virtualization: Concepts and Applicability in 5G Networks reviews new technologies that enable NFV, such as Software Defined Networks (SDN), network virtualization, and cloud computing. It also provides an in-depth investigation of the most advanced open source initiatives in this area, including OPNFV, Openstack, and Opendaylight. Finally, this book goes beyond literature review and industry survey by describing advanced research topics such as service chaining, VNF orchestrations, and network verification of NFV systems. In addition, this resource:

• Introduces network function virtualization (NFV) from both industrial and academic perspectives
• Describes NFV's usage in mobile core networks, which is the essence of 5G implementation
• Offers readers a deep dive on NFV's enabling techniques such as SDN, virtualization, and cloud computing

Network Function Virtualization: Concepts and Applicability in 5G Networks is an ideal book for researchers and university students who want to keep up with the ever-changing world of network function virtualization.

Ying Zhang is a Software Engineer in the Facebook network infrastructure team. Prior to joining Facebook, she was a senior researcher and research manager at Hewlett Packard Labs. She has served on the technical program committee of several conferences and workshops, and is a senior member of the IEEE. She has been granted 30+ US/International patents. She was reported by Swedish media as a "Mobile Network 10 Brightest Researcher" in 2015 and was awarded the N²Women Rising Star in Networking and Communications award in 2017.

List of Figures ix

List of Tables xii

Preface xiii

List of Abbreviation and Acronyms xv

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Cloud-Enabled 5G: SDN and NFV 3

1.1.1 Benefits 6

1.1.2 Challenges 7

1.2 Supporting Technologies 8

1.2.1 Cloud Computing 8

1.2.2 Network Virtualization 9

1.2.3 Network Functions Virtualization 9

1.2.4 Software-Defined Networking 10

1.3 Outline of Chapters 10

2 Virtualization and Cloud Computing 13

2.1 Cloud Computing 13

2.1.1 Architecture 13

2.1.2 Types of Clouds 15

2.1.3 Challenges 16

2.2 Host Virtualization 18

2.2.1 Overview 18

2.2.1.1 Benefits 19

2.2.1.2 Use Cases 19

2.2.2 Virtualization Techniques 20

2.2.2.1 Hardware-Level Virtualization 20

2.2.2.2 Other Virtualization Techniques 21

2.2.3 Containers 21

2.3 Network Virtualization 22

2.3.1 Overlay Networks 24

2.3.2 Virtual Private Network 24

2.3.3 Virtual Sharing Networks 27

2.3.4 Switch-Based SDN Virtualization 29

2.3.5 Host-Based Network Virtualization 31

2.4 Wireless Virtualization 32

2.5 Summary 36

3 Network Function Virtualization 37

3.1 NFV Architecture 38

3.2 NFV Use Cases and Examples 42

3.3 NFV Challenges 45

3.4 NFV Orchestration 46

3.4.1 NFV Performance Characterization 47

3.4.2 NFV Performance Improvements 49

3.5 NF Modeling 50

3.5.1 Source-Code-Based Modeling 52

3.5.1.1 Background 52

3.5.1.2 Modeling Example 53

3.5.1.3 Models 55

3.5.1.4 Model Extraction Overview 56

3.5.2 Modeling Applications 58

3.6 VNF Placement 59

3.7 Summary 63

4 Software-Defined Networks Principles and Applications 65

4.1 SDN Overview 66

4.1.1 Motivations 66

4.1.2 Architecture 67

4.1.2.1 Separation of Control and Data Plane 67

4.1.2.2 Northbound Open APIs 69

4.1.2.3 Southbound Control/Data Plane Protocol 69

4.1.2.4 Applications 70

4.1.3 Use Cases 70

4.2 SDN Controller 71

4.2.1 Controller Deployment Choices 73

4.2.2 Apps on SDN Controller 75

4.3 SDN Data Plane 76

4.4 SDN Management 78

4.4.1 Anomaly Detection 78

4.4.2 Network Measurement 80

4.4.3 Failure Recovery 82

4.4.4 Controller Placement 84

4.4.4.1 A Special Study: Controller to Switch Connectivity 87

4.4.4.2 Node Versus Link Failure 92

4.4.4.3 Downstream Versus Upstream Nodes 93

4.5 SDN Security Attack Prevention 94

4.6 SDN Traffic Engineering 96

4.6.1 TE Architecture and Solution Overview 98

4.6.1.1 Hierarchical Control Structure 98

4.6.1.2 Control Node Design 99

4.6.1.3 Scalability Benefit 100

4.6.2 Design Challenges 100

4.6.3 TE Solution Overview 101

4.7 Summary 102

5 SDN and NFV in 5G 105

5.1 5G Overview 106

5.1.1 Architecture 106

5.2 Service Function Chaining 108

5.2.1 OpenFlow-Based SFC Solution 110

5.2.1.1 Represent Directions with Port Types 114

5.2.1.2 Realize Policies with Multiple Forwarding Tables 115

5.2.1.3 Handle Dynamics with the Microflow Table 116

5.2.1.4 Encode Service Chaining with Metadata 117

5.2.1.5 Summary of Dataplane Functions 118

5.2.2 SFC Monitoring 118

5.2.2.1 Handling Multiple Monitoring Tasks 121

5.2.3 Optical SFC 122

5.2.3.1 Service Placement in Optical NFV 125

5.2.4 Verification of Service Function Chaining 128

5.3 Core Network Functions Virtualization: vEPC 131

5.3.1 Existing Solutions Problems 133

5.3.2 Virtualization and Cloud-Assisted PC 134

5.4 Virtualized Customer Premises Equipment 137

5.4.1 Requirements 138

5.4.2 Design 140

5.5 Summary 142

6 Open Source and Research Activities 143

6.1 Open Source Initiatives 144

6.1.1 OpenStack 144

6.1.2 OpenDayLight 146

6.1.3 OPNFV 148

6.1.4 CORD: Central Office Re-architected as a Data Center 150

6.2 NFV Research Problems 151

6.3 Summary 152

References 153

Index 163

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