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

A Comprehensive Survey of Network Function Virtualization

Internet of Things (IoT) is an emerging technology that makes people’s lives smart by conquering a plethora of diverse application and service areas. In near future, the fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks provide the connectivity for this IoT ecosystem. It has been carefully designed to facilitate the exponential growth in the IoT field. Network slicing is one of the key technologies in the 5G architecture that has the ability to divide the physical network into multiple logical networks (i.e., slices) with different network characteristics. Therefore, network slicing is also a key enabler of realisation of IoT in 5G. Network slicing can satisfy the various networking demands by heterogeneous IoT applications via dedicated slices. In this survey, we present a comprehensive analysis of the exploitation of network slicing in IoT realisation. We discuss network slicing utilisation in different IoT application scenarios, along with the technical challenges that can be solved via network slicing. Furthermore, integration challenges and open research problems related to the network slicing in the IoT realisation are also discussed in this paper. Finally, we discuss the role of other emerging technologies and concepts, such as blockchain and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) in network slicing and IoT integration.

https://researchrepository.ucd.ie/bitstream/10197/12083/2/IEEE_COMST_Slicing___IoT_survey__Final_Submission__%20%281%29.pdf

Survey on Network Slicing for Internet of Things Realization in 5G Networks

A new industrial revolution is undergoing, based on a number of technological paradigms. The will to foster and guide this phenomenon has been summarized in the expression “Industry 4.0” (I4.0). Initiatives under this term share the vision that many key technologies underlying Cyber-Physical Systems and Big Data Analytics are converging to a new distributed, highly automated, and highly dynamic production network , and that this process needs regulatory and cultural advancements to effectively and timely develop. In this work, we focus on the technological aspect only, highlighting the unprecedented complexity of I4.0 emerging from the scientific literature. While previous works have focused on one or up to four related enablers, we consider ten technological enablers, including besides the most cited Big Data, Internet of Things, and Cloud Computing, also others more rarely considered as Fog and Mobile Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, Robotics, down to the often overlooked, very recent, or taken for granted Open-Source Software, Blockchain, and the Internet. For each we explore the main characteristics in relation to I4.0 and its interdependencies with other enablers. Finally we provide a detailed analysis of challenges in leveraging each of the enablers in I4.0, evidencing possible roadblocks to be overcome and pointing at possible future directions of research. Our goal is to provide a reference for the experts in some of the technological fields involved, for a reconnaissance of integration and hybridization possibilities with other fields in the endeavor of I4.0, as well as for the laymen, for a high-level grasp of the variety (and often deep history) of the scientific research backing I4.0.

A Survey on Information and Communication Technologies for Industry 4.0: State-of-the-Art, Taxonomies, Perspectives, and Challenges

Fifth-generation (5G) and beyond networks are envisioned to provide multi-services with diverse specifications. Network slicing is identified as a key enabling technology to enable 5G networks with multi-services. Network slicing allows a transition from a network-as-an-infrastructure setup to a network-as-a-service to enable numerous 5G smart services with diverse requirements. Although several surveys and tutorials have discussed network slicing in detail, there is no comprehensive study discussing the taxonomy and requirements of network slicing. In this paper, we present and investigate key recent advances of network slicing towards enabling several Internet of Things (IoT) smart applications. A taxonomy is devised for network slicing using different parameters: key design principles, enablers, slicing resources levels, service function chaining schemes, physical infrastructures, and security. Furthermore, we discuss key requirements for network slicing to enable smart services. Finally, we present several open research challenges along with possible guidelines for network slicing.

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Network Slicing: Recent Advances, Taxonomy, Requirements, and Open Research Challenges

There are several reports and white papers which attempt to precise 5G architectural requirements presenting them from different points of view, including techno-socio-economic impacts and technological constraints. Most of them deal with network slicing aspects as a central point, often strengthening slices with slice isolation. The goal of this paper is to present and examine the isolation capabilities and selected approaches for its realization in network slicing context. As the 5G architecture is still evolving, the specification of isolated slices operation and management brings new requirements that need to be addressed, especially in a context of End-to-End (E2E) security. Thus, an outline of recent trends in slice isolation and a set of challenges are proposed, which (if properly addressed) could be a step to E2E user's security based on slices isolation.

/pdf/on-end-to-end-approach-for-slice-isolation-in-5g-networks-qbzoxtztou.pdf

On end-to-end approach for slice isolation in 5G networks. Fundamental challenges

Although 5G (fifth generation) networks are still in the realm of ideas, their architecture can be considered as reaching a forming phase. There are several reports and white papers which attempt to precise 5G architectural requirements presenting them from different points of view, including techno-socio-economic impacts and technological constraints. Most of them deal with network slicing aspects as a central point, often strengthening slices with slice isolation. The idea of isolation in the network is not new. However, currently considered technologies give new capabilities that can bring added value in this field. The goal of this paper is to present and examine the isolation capabilities and selected approaches to its realization in network slicing context. As the 5G architecture is still evolving, the specification of isolated slices operation and management brings new requirements that need to be addressed, especially in a context of end-to-end (E2E) security. Thus, an outline of recent trends in slice isolation and a set of challenges are presented. The challenges, if properly addressed, could be a step from the concept of 5G networks to proof-of-concept solutions which provide E2E user’s security based on slices isolation. Among other things, the key features are proper slice design and establishment, security at interfaces, suitable access protocols, correct virtual resources sharing, and an adaptable management and orchestration architecture (MANO). In conclusion of the paper, short outlines of two of the main secure isolation challenges are given: a proper definition of isolation parameters and designing suitable MANO system.

/pdf/towards-constructive-approach-to-end-to-end-slice-isolation-296twj5ll6.pdf

Towards constructive approach to end-to-end slice isolation in 5G networks

5G networks: Types of isolation and their parameters in RAN and CN slices

5G is the fifth-generation cellular network satisfying the requirements IMT-2020 (International Mobile Telecommunications-2020) of the International Telecommunication Union. Mobile network operators started using it worldwide in 2019. Generally, 5G achieves exceptionally high values of performance parameters of access and transmission. The application of edge servers has been proposed to facilitate implementing such requirements of 5G, resulting in 5G MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) technology. Moreover, to optimize services for specific business applications, the concept of 5G vertical industries has been proposed. In this article, we study how the application of the MEC technology affects the functioning of 5G MEC-based services. We consider twelve representative vertical industries of 5G MEC by presenting their essential characteristics, threats, vulnerabilities, and known attacks. Furthermore, we analyze their functional properties, give efficiency patterns and identify the effect of applying the MEC technology in 5G on the resultant network’s quality parameters to determine the expected security requirements. As a result of the research, we identify the impact of classified threats on the 5G empowered vertical industries and identify the most sensitive cases to focus on their protection against network attacks in the first place.

/pdf/verticals-in-5g-mec-use-cases-and-security-challenges-4j26qu9lel.pdf

Verticals in 5G MEC-Use Cases and Security Challenges

5G networks are expected to be a set of slices which are virtual subnets designed for specific applications. A crucial requirement for providing proper functioning of the network and its security is proper isolation of slices. The aim of this paper is to propose a new method of determination of the isolation level of a slice. We propose a Graph-based model of the sliced network, which has a layered structure. In each layer, the appropriate network elements have their own isolation level. The lowest layer of the Graph-based model represents virtual network elements with isolation traits used for calculating their isolation level. Climbing to the top of the stack of layers one can calculate, successively, isolation level for a network's physical element, a link, subnetworks and, the End-to-End slice's isolation level. We present numerical examples, where suitable traits are specified and the isolation level in each layer is calculated.

/pdf/graph-based-quantitative-description-of-networks-slices-1fy967n7p2.pdf

Tomasz Wojciech Nowak

Papers

On end-to-end approach for slice isolation in 5G networks. Fundamental challenges

Towards constructive approach to end-to-end slice isolation in 5G networks

5G networks: Types of isolation and their parameters in RAN and CN slices

Verticals in 5G MEC-Use Cases and Security Challenges

Graph-Based Quantitative Description of Networks' Slices Isolation