Showing papers on "Internetworking published in 2013"

A Virtual SDN-Enabled LTE EPC Architecture: A Case Study for S-/P-Gateways Functions

Abstract: The recent initiative of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) aims to deliver any data- plane processing or control-plane function in high volume data centers or network elements to decrease operational cost and increase deployment flexibility. In order to dynamically direct traffic flows between respective network elements, Software Defined Networking (SDN) can be seen as one enabler. In this paper, we focus on mobile core network nodes such as the MME, HSS, S- and P- Gateway as standardized for the LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC). One straightforward solution for a virtualized EPC architecture would be to move all EPC network nodes completely into a data center and handle the data traffic via SDN-enabled switches. However, this solution would keep the conventional monolithic architecture unchanged. A possible split in the EPC functionality between a centralized data center and operator's transport network elements could be needed to provide the desired flexibility, performance and TCO reduction. Therefore, we have analyzed the EPC nodes and classified their functions according to their impact on data-plane and control-plane processing. We propose a mapping for these functions on four alternative deployment frameworks based on SDN and OpenFlow (OF). In addition, we investigate the current OF implementation's capability to realize basic core operations such as QoS, data classification, tunneling and charging. Our analysis shows that functions, which involve high data packet processing such as tunneling, have more potential to be kept on the data-plane network element, i.e. realized by an OpenFlow Switch. We argue for an enhanced OF network element NE+, which contains additional network functions next to the basic OpenFlow protocol.

Distributed Privacy-Preserving Aggregation of Metering Data in Smart Grids

Abstract: The widespread deployment of Automatic Metering Infrastructures in Smart Grid scenarios rises great concerns about privacy preservation of user-related data, from which detailed information about customer's habits and behaviors can be deduced. Therefore, the users' individual measurements should be aggregated before being provided to External Entities such as utilities, grid managers and third parties. This paper proposes a security architecture for distributed aggregation of additive data, in particular energy consumption metering data, relying on Gateways placed at the customers' premises, which collect the data generated by local Meters and provide communication and cryptographic capabilities. The Gateways communicate with one another and with the External Entities by means of a public data network. We propose a secure communication protocol aimed at preventing Gateways and External Entities from inferring information about individual data, in which privacy-preserving aggregation is performed by means of a cryptographic homomorphic scheme. The routing of information flows can be centralized or it can be performed in a distributed fashion using a protocol inspired by Chord. We compare the performance of both approaches to the optimal solution minimizing the data aggregation delay.

Applying Software-Defined Networking to the telecom domain

Abstract: The concept of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) has been successfully applied to data centers and campus networks but it has had little impact in the fixed wireline and mobile telecom domain. Although telecom networks demand fine-granular flow definition, which is one of SDN's principal strengths, the scale of these networks and their legacy infrastructure constraints considerably limit the applicability of SDN principles. Instead, telecom networks resort to tunneling solutions using a plethora of specialized gateway nodes, which create high operation cost and single points of failure. We propose extending the concept of SDN so that it can tackle the challenges of the telecom domain. We see vertical forwarding, i.e. programmable en- and decapsulation operations on top of IF, as one of the fundamental features to be integrated into SDN. We discuss how vertical forwarding enables flow-based policy enforcement, mobility and security by replacing specialized gateways with virtualized controllers and commoditized forwarding elements, which reduces cost while adding robustness and flexibility.

Multilayer Consensus ECC-Based Password Authenticated Key-Exchange (MCEPAK) Protocol for Smart Grid System

Abstract: This paper aims at providing a key agreement protocol for smart grid to cope with access control of appliances/devices located inside a Home Area Network (HAN) by a set of controllers outside the HAN. The commands/packets initiated by the controllers in crisis cases should be delivered fast and immune from any interruption. The HAN controller, which acts as a gateway, should not cause any delay by decrypting and re-encrypting the packets, nor should it has any chance to modify them. Considering the required level of security and quality of service, we design our protocol with an Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) approach. We improve and implement the Password Authenticated Key Exchange (PAKE) protocol in two steps. First, we propose an auxiliary mechanism that is an ECC version of PAKE, and then extend it to a multilayer consensus model. We reduce the number of hash functions to one, and utilize a primitive password shared between an appliance and HAN controller to construct four valid individual consensus and authenticated symmetric keys between the appliance and upstream controllers by exchanging only 12 packets. Security analysis presents that our protocol is resilient to various attacks. Furthermore, performance analysis shows that the delay caused by the security process is reduced by more than one half.

Software-Defined Networking: On the Verge of a Breakthrough?

Abstract: Many experts predict that software-defined networking, a technology that's been highly touted for several years, will soon finally begin gaining ground in the marketplace

Softwarization of Future Networks and Services -Programmable Enabled Networks as Next Generation Software Defined Networks

Abstract: The Software Defined Networks (SDNs) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFVs), as recent separate research and development trends have the roots in programmable / active network technologies and standards developed a decade ago In particular, they are associated with the decoupling of forwarding from control and hardware from networking software, using open interfaces to connectivity resources The next phase of R&D would involve novel integration and use of all connectivity, storage and processing resources under new management interacting with control systems for provisioning of on-demand networking and services with continuous update of features This brings into focus a relatively new and key topics for the next decade: what and how to create the conditions for effective and continuous updating and changing the networking functions without reinventing each time architectural aspects and related components (eg Softwarization of Future Networks and Services or Programmable Enabled Networks) This paper presents motivation, architecture and the key challenges in realising such programmable enabled networks as the next generation Software Defined Networks focusing on its management plane

SDN for Inter Cloud Networking

Abstract: This paper presents a Software Defined Network (SDN) controller, called Cloud Networking Gateway (CNG) Manager, that enhances networking of distributed cloud resources and provides authorized customers with the ability to control and configure networks. The CNG Manager interconnects virtual machines acquired from distributed heterogeneous resources and services from multiple providers using a generic gateway. The cloud networking gateways are managed by the CNG Manager that handles allocation and configuration of the gateways according to connectivity requirements. Our implementation of the CNG Manager and the gateway is combined with an exact splitting algorithm and integrated in a cloud services provisioning system. The CNG Manager and the associated gateway extend the current state of the art by applying the SDN principle to connectivity control of distributed and networked cloud resources.

Evolution and Challenges of Software Defined Networking

Abstract: Software Defined Networking (SDN) proposes the separation of the control plane from the data plane in network nodes. Furthermore, Openflow architecture through a centralized control of the packet forwarding engines enables the network administrators to literally program the network behavior. The research and results of experiments show clear advantages over traditional network architectures. However, there are open questions to be solved in order to integrate SDN infrastructure and applications in production networks. This paper presents an analysis of the evolution of SDN in recent years. Additionally, this piece of work also describes some interesting SDN/Openflow research initiatives and applications. Finally, there is a disscussion on the main challenges of this new technology.

Balancing Spectral Efficiency, Energy Consumption, and Fairness in Future Heterogeneous Wireless Systems with Reconfigurable Devices

Abstract: In this paper, we present an approach to managing resources in a large-scale heterogeneous wireless network that supports reconfigurable devices. The system under study embodies internetworking concepts requiring independent wireless networks to cooperate in order to provide a unified network to users. We propose a multi-attribute scheduling algorithm implemented by a central Global Resource Controller (GRC) that manages the resources of several different autonomous wireless systems. The attributes considered by the multi-attribute optimization function consist of system spectral efficiency, battery lifetime of each user (or overall energy consumption), and instantaneous and long-term fairness for each user in the system. To compute the relative importance of each attribute, we use the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) that takes interview responses from wireless network providers as input and generates weight assignments for each attribute in our optimization problem. Through Matlab/CPLEX based simulations, we show an increase in a multi-attribute system utility measure of up to 57% for our algorithm compared to other widely studied resource allocation algorithms including Max-Sum Rate, Proportional Fair, Max-Min Fair and Min Power.

Performance analysis of OSPF and EIGRP routing protocols for greener internetworking

Abstract: Routing protocol is taking a vital role in the modern internet era. A routing protocol determines how the routers communicate with each other to forward the packets by taking the optimal path to travel from a source node to a destination node. In this paper we have explored two eminent protocols namely, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocols. Evaluation of these routing protocols is performed based on the quantitative metrics such as Convergence Time, Jitter, End-to-End delay, Throughput and Packet Loss through the simulated network models. The evaluation results show that EIGRP routing protocol provides a better performance than OSPF routing protocol for real time applications. Through network simulations we have proved that EIGRP is more CPU intensive than OSPF and hence uses a lot of system power. Therefore EIGRP is a greener routing protocol and provides for greener internetworking.

Self-Adapting MAC Layer for Wireless Sensor Networks

Abstract: The integration of wireless sensors with mobile phones is gaining momentum as an enabling platform for numerous emerging applications. These mobile systems face dynamic environments where both application requirements and ambient wireless conditions change frequently. Despite the existence of many MAC protocols, none can provide optimal characteristics along multiple dimensions, especially when the conditions are frequently changing. Instead of pursuing a one-MAC-fit-all approach we present the Self-Adapting MAC Layer (SAML) that dynamically selects and switches MAC protocols to gain the desired characteristics in response to changes in ambient conditions and application requirements. SAML comprises (1) a Reconfigurable MAC Architecture (RMA) that can switch to different MAC protocols at run time and (2) a learning-based MAC Selection Engine that selects the protocol most suitable for the current condition and requirements. To the application SAML appears as a traditional MAC layer and realizes its benefits through a simple API for the mobile applications. We have implemented SAML in TinyOS 2.x and built three prototypes containing up to five MACs. We evaluate the system in controlled tests and real-world environments using a new gateway device that integrates a 802.15.4 radio with Android phones. Our experimental results show that SAML can effectively adapt MAC layer behavior to meet varying application requirements in dynamic environments through judicious selection and efficient switching of MAC protocols.

Solutions to the Computer Networking Challenges of the Distribution Smart Grid

Abstract: Communication networks play a crucial role in the context of Smart Grids since they enable a broad set of appealing facilities, from both producers and consumers side, to be effectively delivered. So far, several standards (e.g., IEC 61850-5) have been presented aiming to detail the specific requirements for such networks on the Smart Grid domain. However, the definitions proposed by these standards are confined to a reduced part of the grid: the primary substation. This situation prevents electrical distribution networks from fully exploiting the Smart Grid concept as a whole (i.e., provide truly distributed energy resources). The purpose of this paper is to (1) provide a further insight qualitative analysis of the yet-unexplored communication requirements raised by the electrical distribution Smart Grid, and (2) propose novel solutions targeted at creating link layer networks spanning a given electrical distribution area to allow faster and more reliable communication. Specifically, these solutions are devoted to extend all standards and communication mechanisms already defined for primary substations, to the whole grid by considering the electrical distribution grid as a collection of virtual substations. Furthermore, collected experiences throughout the implementation of this proposal envisage some alternatives to boost the performance of this protocol in terms of reliability and latency.

An architecture for virtualized home gateways

Abstract: The convergence of technical advances in the field of virtualization has enabled the consolidation and scaling of resources in a cost-effective way, a trend that has also found its way into the telecommunication operator infrastructure foundations, from data centers to networks alike. Starting from the core, the impact of these developments is reaching towards the edge of the infrastructure and into the access network. In this spirit, we foresee the opportunity of virtualizing a key device of modern broadband access networks: the Residential Gateway (RGW). Presently located on the customer premises, the RGW stands between the home network and the access network. It imposes a considerable cost for the operator (acquisition and operation) and constitutes a single point of failure for all the services offered to the residential customers - such as Internet access, VoIP, IPTV and Video-on-Demand. In this paper we propose an architecture for virtualized Residential Gateways (vRGWs) which physically removes the RGW from the customer premises, moving it into the operator data center as a virtualized entity. This solution potentially reduces deployment, maintenance and operation costs, whilst improving overall flexibility, reliability and manageability - both for the access network infrastructure and for provided services.

A survey on energy efficiency for wireless mesh network

Abstract: Reducing CO2 emissions is an important global environmental issue. Over the recent years, wireless and mobile communications have increasingly become popular with consumers. An increasingly popular type of wireless access is the so-called Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) that provide wireless connectivity through much cheaper and more flexible backhaul infrastructure compared with wired solutions. Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) is an emerging new technology which is being adopted as the wireless internetworking solution for the near future. Due to increased energy consumption in the information and communication technology (ICT) industries, and its consequent environmental effects, energy efficiency has become a key factor to evaluate the performance of a communication network. This paper mainly focuses on classification layer of the largest existing approaches dedicated to energy conservation. It is also discussing the most interesting works on energy saving in WMNs networks.

Wireless Networking: Understanding Internetworking Challenges

Abstract: This book focuses on providing a detailed and practical explanation of key existing and emerging wireless networking technologies and trends,while minimizing the amount of theoretical background information. The book also goes beyond simply presenting what the technology is, but also examines why the technology is the way it is, the history of its development, standardization, and deployment. The book also describes how each technology is used, what problems it was designed to solve, what problems it was not designed to solve., how it relates to other technologies in the marketplace, and internetworking challenges faced withing the context of the Internet, as well as providing deployment trends and standardization trends. Finally, this book decomposes evolving wireless technologies to identify key technical and usage trends in order to discuss the likely characteristics of future wireless networks.

A Traffic-Aware Virtual Machine Placement Method for Cloud Data Centers

Abstract: Classical virtual machine (VM) placement approaches, focusing on computing resource requirements, do not consider network traffic as an input for the placement problem, which may result in high network traffic within the core links of the data center. Cost of networking is not negligible in a cloud data center. In order to decrease networking cost, in terms of power and delay, communication patterns of VMs need to be taken into account. We develop an algorithm with low computational complexity, to cluster VMs based on dynamic network traffic data and place clusters into racks, composed of physical servers. Our aim is to decrease the traffic between racks, by putting frequently communicating VMs together into the same rack or as close as possible, while minimizing networking delay based on average communication path length, number of active servers and number of active network elements, such as links and switches. Through numerous simulations, we show that the proposed algorithm provides quick and effective results to improve placement, which can be utilized via VM migrations.

ROVER: Route Origin Verification Using DNS

Abstract: The Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) is a critical component of the global internet infrastructure. Unfortunately BGP routing was designed with limited regard for security. As a consequence there are many well-documented BGP vulnera- bilities and resulting security exploits. This paper focuses on the design of the Route Origin Verification System (ROVER); a practical solution for detecting and preventing origin and sub-prefix hijacks. ROVER is designed to work with existing systems whenever possible. In particular, ROVER exploits the reverse DNS for storing data and provides a fail-safe, best effort approach to authentication. The approach can be used with a variety of operational models including fully dynamic in-line BGP filtering, periodically updated authenticated route filters, and real-time notifications for network operators. The ROVER system is evaluated using both real operational systems and testbed deployments.

Design and Implementation of UPnP-Based Surveillance Camera System for Home Security

Abstract: With the rapid development of mobile devices and Internet services, managing home security with these devices and services is gaining popularity. To expand the range of usability of conventional home surveillance cameras, we propose the UPnP-based Surveillance Camera System (USCS), which employs UPnP technology to search, control, and manage IP-based cameras. With UPnP, interconnected equipment and the control network inside the home can be accessed for data sharing, communication, and entertainment. However, the current UPnP was originally designed for local networks. Therefore, we integrated the UPnP control module into the Open Service Gateway Initiative (OSGi) framework to access UPnP services from a remote network. The control point is an external network that can access the UPnP device, which is hosted in a home area network via USCS. Our system showed improved searching, management, discovery, and manipulation of IP-based cameras in a home network using our system, compared to a conventional system. Users can use a mobile device to monitor the home security status in real time by a remote access function provided by OSGi. Hence, users can monitor their homes more efficiently and instantly, ensuring the safety of house members and the property.

EMC: The Effective Multi-Path Caching Scheme for Named Data Networking

Abstract: The Named Data Networking (NDN) is proposed recently as a promising paradigm for the future Internet due to its built-in caching and name-based routing for efficient content distribution. For the time being, the research on NDN caching is still a preliminary topic, especially for the scenario of an ISP with multiple gateways. For more in-depth excavation, we have studied the effective intra-ISP caching under multiple gateways and multi-path routing in this paper. With the primary objective of reducing the inter-ISP traffic, we develop a popularity-based coordinated caching strategy named the Effective Multipath Caching scheme (EMC), which substantially saves more than 50% inter-ISP traffic and more than 30% content access latency. Through evaluation, we observe that EMC significantly outperforms the widely used Leaving Copies Everywhere (LCE) scheme and Leaving Copies with Probability (LCProb) scheme in terms of reducing both the inter-ISP traffic as well as the content access latency. Extensive simulation results demonstrate that our proposed caching scheme is effective, scalable and light-weight.

Content-centric internetworking for resource-constrained devices in the Internet of Things

Abstract: Content-Centric Networking (CCN) is a newly proposed networking architecture for the future Internet. It has superiorities over today's IP-based architecture in some aspects. On the other hand, the Internet of Things (IoT) is a direction of the future Internet. Due to the existence of large amounts of weak network devices (NDs) with constrained resources, current CCN models that are designed mainly oriented to Super Routers (SRs) in the core networks are not appropriate for the edge networks in IoT. In this paper, we propose an internetworking scheme for weak NDs based on task mapping. In this scheme, weak NDs with constrained resources map the overcapacity tasks (in terms of storing, publishing, and retrieving) to SRs. Then, based on this scheme, we present two specific strategies for NDs as producers and consumers, respectively. Finally, we take cameras as typical NDs to illustrate the process of the communication by using our proposed scheme.

Inter and intra Cloud Networking Gateway as a service

Abstract: Cloud network models have limitations in handling networking between distributed cloud resources and in providing customers the ability to control and configure networks. This paper presents a Cloud Networking Gateway (CNG) Manager for dynamic establishment of intra and inter cloud connectivity. The CNG Manager interconnects virtual machines acquired from distributed heterogeneous resources and services from multiple providers using a generic gateway. The cloud networking gateways are managed by the CNG Manager that handles allocation and configuration of the gateways according to connectivity requirements. This cloud networking solution is integrated with an operational “Cloud Broker” architecture involving multiple users and providers in order to test and validate our solution in a realistic framework.

DPCF-M: A Medium Access Control protocol for dense Machine-to-Machine area networks with dynamic gateways

Abstract: Machine-to-Machine (M2M) area networks must provide connectivity between either an M2M application server or an M2M gateway and a large number of M2M devices. In this paper, we consider a densely populated M2M area network. We propose a novel duty-cycled energy-efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol, called DPCF-M, which switches dynamically between contention-based access (CSMA/CA) for low data traffic periods and a dynamically scheduled access mechanism for high data traffic or high number of contending devices. We have experimentally evaluated the performance of DPCF-M in saturation conditions by real implementation on IEEE 802.15.4 standard-compliant devices. Results show that DPCF-M outperforms the CSMA/CA protocol of the IEEE 802.15.4 non-beacon mode in terms of throughput and energy-efficiency.

A Software defined Cloud-Gateway automation system using OpenFlow

Abstract: The notion of programming the forwarding device using an open protocol is a key feature of Software-defined Networks (SDN). This improves network visibility and control thereby reducing vendor dependency. OpenFlow protocol provides a standardized approach to realize these goals of SDN. In this paper, we illustrate our progress with a Software-defined Cloud-Gateway automation system using OpenFlow. In addition, based on our deployment experience, we highlight two technical challenges when using OpenFlow. First, with the standardization being an evolving effort, we highlight some of the programming challenges and missing features within the OpenFlow protocol. Secondly, existing OpenFlow-based network stack lacks some architectural components that reduces the level of flexibility we achieve when programming the network. Most SDN controllers expose limited abstractions to build network applications thereby primarily functioning as an OpenFlow driver. This imposes an application programmer to work with several OpenFlow primitives. To address this problem, we elaborate our current work in extending the SDN stack to improve our overall network programmability experience.

The BGP Visibility Scanner

Abstract: By tweaking the BGP configurations, the network operators are able to express their interdomain routing preferences, designed to accommodate a myriad goals. Given the complex interactions between policies in the Internet, the origin AS by itself cannot ensure that only by configuring a routing policy it can also achieve the anticipated results. Moreover, the definition of routing policies is a complicated process, involving a number of subtle tuning operations prone to errors. In this paper, we propose the BGP Visibility Scanner which allows network operators to validate the correct implementation of their routing policies, by corroborating the BGP routing information from approximatively 130 independent observation points in the Internet. We exemplify the use of the proposed methodology and also perform an initial validation for the BGP Visibility Scanner capabilities through various real operational use cases.

Ecological Home Network: An Overview

Abstract: A home network is one of the next-generation information and communication technology (ICT)-centered applications, and this paper discusses the current state of relating technologies and various aspects necessary for better home network realization. It is necessary to discuss the technologies for a good home network, but it is also important to consider this from the different aspects other than technologies. Cost, power consumption, maintainability, and relevant data volume are such view points, and they support better ecological home network. This paper first discusses the technology components which support realization of a home network. They are network technologies, varieties of devices, software-based systems and standards, and home gateway, the key component of a better home network. Then, the author shows several considerations from the ecological viewpoints such as cost saving, energy saving, human load saving, and data volume saving. The real technology and business for a home network is still in an evolving stage, and it is necessary to discuss the implementation issues for a home network. Home gateway is an important component for managing a home network, and the author proposes a home gateway architecture suitable for better implementation of a home network as a whole.

A survey on energy efficiency for wireless mesh network

Abstract: Reducing CO2 emissions is an important global environmental issue. Over the recent years, wireless and mobile communications have increasingly become popular with consumers. An increasingly popular type of wireless access is the so-called Wireless Mesh Networks (WMNs) that provide wireless connectivity through much cheaper and more flexible backhaul infrastructure compared with wired solutions. Wireless Mesh Network (WMN) is an emerging new technology which is being adopted as the wireless internetworking solution for the near future. Due to increased energy consumption in the information and communication technology (ICT) industries, and its consequent environmental effects, energy efficiency has become a key factor to evaluate the performance of a communication network. This paper mainly focuses on classification layer of the largest existing approaches dedicated to energy conservation. It is also discussing the most interesting works on energy saving in WMNs networks.

Runtime relocation of CDN Serving Points - Enabler for low costs mobile Content Delivery

Abstract: The recent proliferation of powerful smartphones have enabled an explosive increase in demand for mobile video (and other content) download services. In order to meet the users' demand and quality expectation, the mobile network operators tend to deploy and operate their own Content Delivery Network (CDN) within their existing network infrastructure. This situation has given rise to new set of research and standardization challenges to address this latest trend of expanding role/scope of network infrastructures and resource demands. New methods and strategies need to be devised for resource-efficient and costeffective delivery of such high volume content to mobile users. In this paper we motivate the enabling of runtime relocation of mobility gateways and CDN Serving Points for maintaining low costs for mobile content delivery. By means of a detailed simulative study, we evaluate the cost of delivering content to mobile users while taking into consideration different topologies, user mobility and content size. We demonstrate that the gain that is achieved in terms of cost saving justify taking additional protocol complexity to support runtime relocation of Mobile CDN serving points.

Enhancements to FPMIPv6 for improved seamless vertical handover between LTE and heterogeneous access networks

Abstract: Fast handovers for proxy mobile IPv6 (FPMIPv6) was created to reduce packet-delay that occurs during proxy mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6) handover. Based on vertical handover (VHO) experiments conducted between Long Term Evolution (LTE) and heterogeneous accesses over the evolved packet core (EPC) using FPMIPv6, it was recognized that consistently reliable seamless VHO operations were difficult to accomplish due to limitations in FPMIPv6. Noticeably, VHO performance degradation resulted from the serving network (SN) lacking information of the target network (TN) when the TN is a heterogeneous protocol domain, packet congestion and loss problems occurring on specific network gateway interfaces, and also from using long packet-forwarding paths. In this article, an enhanced FPMIPv6 technique is proposed to solve these problems and improve the VHO operation by using shorter data-paths and improved coordination of buffered packet-forwarding and TN switching, which results in a significantly reduced packet-delay.