Intelligent Network Edge with Distributed SDN for the Future 6G Network

Abstract

Sixth generation wireless communication promises extremely high data rates, exceptionally low latency, and extensive use of an intelligent fog/edge platform including storage, communications, control and processing resources. This fog/edge platform will provide scalable and elastic distributed processing, communications flow management, and application support capabilities. An extended, more distributed SDN (software defined network) is likely to be an important element of this environment, enabling local picocell clients to more efficiently share processing and communications resources. This distributed SDN, with a local SDN controller handling local needs such as handoffs between picocells with very low latency and networked with distant SDN controllers for wide-area communication and information retrieval needs, will mediate the QoS for both highly interactive local applications and large volume streaming and downloading. The distributed SDN will facilitate access to application processing and locally stored data in the fog/edge platform and keep track of networking transactions and resource use. This concept of a distributed SDN coupled with network edge computing and data storage will support the entrepreneurial development of new network modalities and applications meeting the needs of network operators, service providers, and end users. This introductory paper, including a vehicular control simulation example, suggests the possible shape of an intelligent network edge incorporating a distributed SDN for the future 6G network. Keywords— fog/edge; SDN; 6G; distributed network control