A Virtual SDN-Enabled LTE EPC Architecture: A Case Study for S-/P-Gateways Functions

A. Basta, W. Kellerer, M. Hoffmann, K. Hoffmann, E. Schmidt
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引用次数: 159

Abstract

The recent initiative of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) aims to deliver any data- plane processing or control-plane function in high volume data centers or network elements to decrease operational cost and increase deployment flexibility. In order to dynamically direct traffic flows between respective network elements, Software Defined Networking (SDN) can be seen as one enabler. In this paper, we focus on mobile core network nodes such as the MME, HSS, S- and P- Gateway as standardized for the LTE Evolved Packet Core (EPC). One straightforward solution for a virtualized EPC architecture would be to move all EPC network nodes completely into a data center and handle the data traffic via SDN-enabled switches. However, this solution would keep the conventional monolithic architecture unchanged. A possible split in the EPC functionality between a centralized data center and operator's transport network elements could be needed to provide the desired flexibility, performance and TCO reduction. Therefore, we have analyzed the EPC nodes and classified their functions according to their impact on data-plane and control-plane processing. We propose a mapping for these functions on four alternative deployment frameworks based on SDN and OpenFlow (OF). In addition, we investigate the current OF implementation's capability to realize basic core operations such as QoS, data classification, tunneling and charging. Our analysis shows that functions, which involve high data packet processing such as tunneling, have more potential to be kept on the data-plane network element, i.e. realized by an OpenFlow Switch. We argue for an enhanced OF network element NE+, which contains additional network functions next to the basic OpenFlow protocol.
基于虚拟sdn的LTE EPC架构:S-/ p -网关功能案例研究
网络功能虚拟化(NFV)的最新倡议旨在在大容量数据中心或网络元素中提供任何数据平面处理或控制平面功能,以降低运营成本并增加部署灵活性。为了动态地引导各自网络元素之间的流量,软件定义网络(SDN)可以被视为一个使能器。在本文中,我们重点研究移动核心网络节点,如MME, HSS, S-和P-网关,作为LTE演进分组核心(EPC)的标准化。虚拟化EPC架构的一个直接解决方案是将所有EPC网络节点完全移动到数据中心,并通过支持sdn的交换机处理数据流量。然而,这个解决方案将保持传统的单片架构不变。可能需要在集中式数据中心和运营商的传输网络元素之间分离EPC功能,以提供所需的灵活性、性能和TCO降低。因此,我们对EPC节点进行了分析,并根据其对数据面和控制面处理的影响对其功能进行了分类。我们在基于SDN和OpenFlow (OF)的四种备选部署框架上提出了这些功能的映射。此外,我们还研究了当前OF实现在实现QoS、数据分类、隧道和收费等基本核心业务方面的能力。我们的分析表明,涉及高数据包处理的功能,如隧道,更有可能保留在数据平面网元上,即由OpenFlow交换机实现。我们支持增强的OF网元NE+,它在基本OpenFlow协议旁边包含额外的网络功能。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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