Network Slicing for Multi-tenant Edge Processing over Shared IoT Infrastructure

Abstract

Emerging 5G technologies are expected to further unleash the IoT potential, providing the necessary scalability and flexibility for supporting diverse classes of service. In particular, 5G Network Slicing combined with network infrastructure virtualization and programmability can equip cellular IoT with instruments to efficiently facilitate critical, low latency IoT scenaria, as well as massive IoT scenaria of wide-area IoT applications. In parallel, the continuous enhancement of Edge networking infrastrucutre with more capacity and intelligence, presents great opportunities to further improve IoT applications' network-related quality of experience and resource efficiency. In this paper, we focus on massive IoT usage scenaria and we introduce a Network Slicing approach for IoT infrastructure shareability and multi-tenant edge processing of isolated IoT applications. To this end, we propose the 2-tier distribution of IoT Gateways at the network edge and their virtualization as extendable edge platforms and we present a novel architecture building on the NFV MANO architectural framework for slice orchestration and lifecycle management. Initial results from the system prototyping of our solution showcase the automated end-to-end instantiation and readiness of IoT Slices in the order of few minutes.