Towards a cost-effective, software-centric, and Quality of Service (QoS) friendly framework for next generation networks

由于连接设备的出现以及新服务和应用的引入，当今的网络流量正在迅速增加。互联网流量的这种增长对网络运营商满足其运营商级要求（诸如服务质量（QoS））的能力构成威胁，并且对它们的成本结构施加压力。因此，具有成本有效的QoS友好网络的优点是显著的，因为它不仅使运营商在其内部成本结构和QoS改进方面受益，而且使他们能够向其客户提供有竞争力的定价。我的研究计划的长期目标是研究和开发一种新型的综合网络转型框架，该框架将促进从当今的传统网络迁移到以软件为中心的，具有成本效益的QoS友好架构，该架构将提供运营商级的质量保证，同时最大限度地减少网络资本和运营费用。为了实现这一目标，我的研究计划将在五年内集中于以下短期目标：（1）通过软件定义网络（SDN）和网络功能虚拟化（NFV）开发一个以软件为中心的架构，可以保证QoS并降低成本;（2）制定接入网络政策和指导方针，导致网络规模缩小;（3）开发以网络边缘为中心的内容递送，其将允许内容位于靠近终端用户的位置;以及（4）开发必要的流量工程算法，用于确保服务/应用以最佳可能的QoS得到支持，同时最小化网络基础设施成本。通过利用上述研究主题/目标的结果，我的研究将提出一个以软件为中心的体系结构，这将对开发具有更好QoS支持的经济高效的网络产生深远的影响。该研究项目的预期成果将有利于更广泛的研究社区，致力于基于SDN/NFV的具有成本效益的网络基础设施，网络运营商（即，ISP）、最终用户/客户以及整体加拿大电信市场。该研究计划的主要好处是：（1）通过该研究计划开发的新型网络架构，混合优化算法和端到端网络路由将为改变游戏规则的解决方案和未来的研究奠定基础。(3)网络运营商将能够为其向客户提供的服务提供更好的QoS。(3)降低成本将有助于运营商在市场上更具竞争力，客户将享受其订阅服务的负担得起的价格。(4)我的HQP将获得相关经验，并发展加拿大信息和通信技术（ICT）市场所需的技能。

Today's networks traffic is increasing rapidly due to the emergence of connected devices as well as the introduction of new services and applications. Such growth in Internet traffic poses a threat to the network operators ability to meet its carrier-grade requirements such as Quality of Service (QoS) as well as putting pressure on their cost structure. Thus, the advantage of having a cost-effective QoS friendly network is significant as it will not only benefit the operators on their internal cost structure and QoS improvement but also enables them to offer their customers competitive pricing. The long-term objective of my research program is to investigate and develop a novel comprehensive network transformation framework that would facilitate the migration from today's traditional network to a software-centric, cost-effective, and QoS friendly architecture that would offer carrier-grade quality guarantees while minimizing network capital and operational expenses. In order to accomplish this, my research program will focus on the following short-term objectives over the five-year period: (1) Developing a software-centric architecture through Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) that can guarantee QoS and offers cost reductions; (2) Developing access network policies and guidelines that lead to a reduction in network size; (3) Developing network edge-centric content delivery that would allow the contents to be located close to the end user; and (4) Developing necessary traffic engineering algorithms for ensuring services/applications are supported with the best possible QoS while minimizing the network infrastructure cost. By leveraging the results from the above research themes/objectives, my research will propose a software-centric architecture which will have a profound impact on the development of a cost-effective network with better QoS support. The expected outcomes of this research project will benefit the broader research community working towards an SDN/NFV based cost-effective network infrastructure, network operators (i.e., ISPs), the end users/customers, and overall, the Canadian Telecom market. The major benefits of this research program are: (1) The novel network architectures, hybrid optimization algorithms, and end-to-end network routing that will be developed through this research program will provide the cornerstone for a game-changing solution and for future research to build upon. (3) Network operators will be able to offer better QoS for its offered services to their customers. (3) Cost reduction will assist the operators in becoming more competitive in the marketplace, and the customers will enjoy affordable prices for their subscribed services. (4) My HQPs will gain relevant experience and develop the skills needed by the Canadian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) market.