Extensible and Scalable Emulator of the Next Generation Heterogeneous Fog Networks

事实证明，云计算和服务能够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)的快速增长和对海量连接的需求，云计算遇到了一些挑战，如高延迟、脆弱性和容量限制等。雾计算现在作为应对云挑战的一种可行和补充的解决方案而占据主导地位，因为它能够实现快速和智能的计算、路由和网络以及存储。它是未来物联网和5G网络的关键推动因素。*这项提议的目标是购置最先进的设备，这些设备对于实际执行和分析正在进行的和即将进行的与雾计算和异类网络有关的项目至关重要。这些项目由申请者牵头，主题包括水下物联网、下一代物联网框架、智慧城市的大数据和无线技术、关键通信的高度安全协议、网络软件化、未来数据中心的智能管理等。*该设备可以构建一个成熟的超高密度异构雾网络。该平台由雾服务器、网关和异构网三部分组成。Fog服务器是一个强大的处理和存储单元；它托管和管理服务器节点，这些节点可以切片以适应多种类型的网络功能。第二个部分是网关，它可以相互协调，将雾服务器连接到各种网络和设备。第三部分是包含各种物联网传感器、移动终端和其他设备的异类网络。此细分市场提供具有不同接入协议和应用程序要求的网络和设备之间的连接。*这些设备将用于整合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、雾计算等领域致力于现实挑战。它将用于几个项目的开发和验证阶段。它将显著提高成果的实用性、可靠性和可信度，从而增加其市场价值和科学价值。*产生的解决方案将在现实网络场景中进行验证，从而产生几项创新和适销对路的专利。此外，使用这种设备将使我们的研究成果能够发表在影响力很大的国际期刊和科学活动上，从而提高加拿大网络研究的国际声誉。*将为打算从该设备中受益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方面的专业知识。这种独特的实践经验将赋予他们具有竞争力和高要求的技能，并为加拿大就业市场提供高素质的个人。

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.**