A network virtualisation framework in operator perspective

Resumo

Network virtualisation is seen now from a different perspective. Instead of using it as a mere tool for testing new protocols and new architectures, it can be used as a key element of the future internet: it will enable and trigger the development of new protocols and different architectures in coexistence with the existing ones. Recently, the interest from the operators and industry mainstream in network virtualisation has grown quite significantly, as the potential benefits of virtualisation became clearer, both from an economical and an operational point of view. So far, the concept has been mainly a research topic and has been materialized in small-scale testbeds and research network environments. The challenges posed by the deployment of virtualisation in operator networks are still largely unknown and require urgent study. In this paper, we present the 4WARD architecture for network virtualisation and, based on this architecture, we propose a framework for network resource control in virtualisation-based network environments. We also present the developed virtual network testbed and an assessment is made to the framework.