Resource management for next generation heterogeneous networks

下一代网络（NGN）被设想为异构传输网络的交互工作环境，它将提供一个可以集成传统和创新IP业务的业务平台。这些服务应该在任何用户位置可用，这些位置也可能因用户移动性而随时间变化。下一代网络的异质性将有几个维度，可分为两类，分别与技术和所有权相关。特别是技术的异构性将要求有线和几种无线接入技术之间的合作，如3G、4G、WLAN、WiMAX、卫星，包括无线网格。这种异构网络中的资源管理可能非常复杂，并且在很大程度上是启发式的，这可能导致效率低下，除非开发出新的模型，能够以自动化和易于理解的方式解决问题。因此，我们建议开发一个集成和一致的框架和机制，以极大地促进下一代网络资源管理并提高其效率。该框架将基于一个经济模型，该模型可以集成和自动化多个时间尺度的操作，因此可以进一步降低网络运营成本。在这里，我们将利用我们的经验和成就，建立一个为同质有线网络开发的经济模型。在本建议中，我们讨论了资源管理的三个主要要素：连接/流准入和路由、网络容量的适应和服务定价。主要的挑战是将经济模式扩展到无线接入网和鼓励网络运营商之间的合作。为了克服这些挑战，我们将使用来自马尔可夫决策和博弈论的模型。我们期望这项研究的结果将为加拿大运营商提供算法和知识，以经济高效的方式提高服务质量和资源利用率。

The next generation networks (NGN) are envisioned to be an inter-working environment of heterogeneous transport networks that will provide a service platform that can integrate traditional and innovative IP services. These services should be available at any user location that can be also changing with time due to the user mobility. The heterogeneity of NGNs will have several dimensions that can be divided into two categories associated with technology and ownership, respectively. In particular the technology heterogeneity will require coopearation between wired and several wireless acces technologies such as 3G, 4G, WLAN, WiMAX, satellites, including wireless mesh. The resource management in such heterogeneous networks can be quite complex and to a large extent heuristic, which can lead to large inefficiencies, unless new models are developed that can address the issue in an automated and simple to understand manner. Therefore we propose to develop an integrated and consistent framework and mechanisms that would significantly facilitate NGN resource management and make it more efficient. The framework will be based on an economical model that can integrate and automate several timescales of operations and therefore can further reduce the network operation costs. Here we will use our experience and achievements with an economic model that was developed for homogeneous wired networks. In this proposal we address three main elements of resorce management: connection/flow admission and routing, adaptation of network capacity, and service pricing. The main challenges are related to extension of the economic models to wireless access networks and to encouraging coopeartion between network operators. To overcome these challenges we will use models derived from Markov decision and game theories. We expect that the results of this research will provide algorithms and knowledge that will be used by Canadian operators to improve service quality and resource utilization in a cost efficient manner.