VNF placement algorithms to address the mono-and multi-tenant issues in edge and core networks

Abstract

The Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) concept offers network operators the ability to provide more scalable and less expensive services, free from the limitations inherent to hardware devices. However, in 5G networks, the functions must be deployed not only in large central data centers, but also in the edge. We propose an algorithm that solves the Virtual Network Function Chain Placement Problem allowing a fine management of these rare resources in order to respond to the greatest number of requests possible. Because networks can be divided into several entities belonging to different tenants who are reluctant to reveal their internal topologies, we propose a heuristic that allows the NFV orchestrator to place the function chains based only on an abstract view of the infrastructure network. We leverage this approach to address the complexity of the problem in large mono- or multi-tenant networks. We analyze the efficiency of our algorithm and heuristic with respect to a wide range of parameters and topologies.