Extensible and Scalable Emulator of the Next Generation Heterogeneous Fog Networks

云计算和服务已经被证明可以为许多企业和应用程序提供高效的信息技术解决方案。然而，随着物联网（IoT）的快速发展和对大规模连接的需求，云计算面临着高延迟、脆弱性和容量限制等挑战。雾计算作为应对云挑战的一种可行的、互补的解决方案，现在已经占据了主导地位，因为它支持快速、智能的计算、路由和网络以及存储。它是未来物联网和5G网络的关键推动者。***本提案的目标是获得最先进的设备，这些设备对于进行与雾计算和异构网络有关的正在进行和即将进行的项目的实际实施和分析至关重要。项目由申请者主导，研究方向为水下物联网、下一代物联网框架、智慧城市大数据与无线技术、关键通信高度安全协议、网络软件化、未来数据中心智能管理等。***该设备允许建立一个成熟的超密集异构雾网络。该平台由雾服务器、网关和异构网络三部分组成。Fog服务器是一个功能强大的处理和存储单元；它托管和管理服务器节点，这些服务器节点可以被分割以适应多种类型的网络功能。第二段是网关，它们可以相互协调，并将Fog服务器连接到各种网络和设备。第三段是异构网络，包含各种物联网传感器、移动终端和其他设备。提供不同接入协议和应用需求的网络和设备之间的连接。***这些设备将用于巩固我们年轻的研究小组，他们正在物联网网络、物联网和5G安全、网络虚拟化解决方案、雾计算等领域应对现实挑战。它将用于几个项目的开发和验证阶段。这将显著提高研究结果的实用性、可靠性和可信度，从而增加研究结果的市场价值和科学价值。***最终的解决方案将在现实的网络场景中得到验证，从而产生若干创新和可销售的专利。此外，使用该设备将使我们的研究结果能够在高影响力的国际期刊和科学活动上发表，从而提高加拿大网络研究的国际声誉。***将向有意受益于该设备的研究人员提供高质量的培训；他们将获得最新物联网技术的专业知识。这种独特的实践经验将赋予他们具有竞争力和高需求的技能，并为加拿大就业市场提供高素质的人才

Cloud computing and services have proven to offer efficient information technology solutions for many businesses and applications. However, with the rapid growth of internet of things (IoT) and the demand for massive-connectivity, Cloud computing encounters several challenges such as high latency, vulnerability and capacity constraints, to name few. Fog computing is now dominating the scene as a viable and complementary solution for the challenges of the Cloud, as it enables fast and intelligent computation, routing and networking, and storage. It is the key enabler for the future IoT and 5G networks. ***The objective of this proposal is to acquire state-of-the-art equipment that is essential to conduct practical implementation and analysis of the ongoing and upcoming projects related to Fog computing and heterogeneous networks. These projects are led by the applicants in the topics of Internet of underwater things, Framework for the Next Generations of IoT, Big Data and Wireless Technologies for Smart Cities, Highly Secure Protocols for Critical Communications, Network Softwarization, Smart Management for Futuristic Data Centers, and others. ***The equipment allows the buidling a full-fledged ultra-dense heterogeneous Fog network. This platform consists of three segments, Fog server, Gateways, and heterogeneous network. The Fog server is a powerful processing and storage unit; it hosts and manages server nodes that can be sliced to accommodate numerous types of network functionalities. The second segment is the Gateways that can coordinate between each other and connect the Fog server to various networks and devices. The third segment is the heterogeneous network that contains diverse IoT sensors, mobile terminals, and other devices. This segment provides connectivity between networks and devices with different access protocols and applications requirements.***The equipment will be used to consolidate our young research groups who are working on realistic challenges in the fields of IoT networks, security of IoT and 5G, network virtualization solutions, Fog computing. It will be used in the development and validation stages of several projects. It will significantly enhance the practicality, reliability, and credibility of the outcomes, hence increase their market and scientific values. ***The resultant solutions will be validated in realistic network scenarios and hence leading to several innovations and marketable patents. Additionally, using this equipment will empower our findings to be published in high-impact international journals and scientific events, which increases the international reputation of networking-research in Canada. ***High-quality training will be offered to the researchers who intend to benefit from this equipment; they will gain expertise on the latest IoT technologies. Such unique hand on experience will empower them with competitive and highly demanded skills and feed the Canadian job-market with Highly Qualified Personal.**