SDN in the OTT, 5G and IOT world

5G network

• Heterogenous

• Dense, distributed

network of base

stations

• More processing

on the edge for

lower latencies

• Small cells

• Co-existence of

multiple standards

(LTE, WiFi) and

cell types (macro,

micro, pico)

From centralized to distributed architecture

• Neat separation of control and packet processing• Architecture can be used for data offloading at edge• Useful for MEC applications

Heterogenous use cases with varying demands on network

Need for network slicing

SDN controlled slice management

Realization of slices in the network

• Abstract network resources from underlying

physical hardware

• Control plane and user plane are separated

• User-plane functionality at network edge

• Management functionality remains at the core

• As needs change, resource allocation changes

Realization of slices in the network

SDN controller becomes a necessity

vRAN

Traditional vs virtualized RAN

Traditional

• Proprietary

• Bundled

• Configuration-specific

network technology

• Higher operational costs

Virtualized

• Computing moved to VMs in

datacenters

• Flexible, agile, cost-effective

• Only radio resources at the edge

• Operators can pool radio resources

• Radio components can be

commoditized

Traditional vs virtualized packet core (EPC / Evolved Packet Core)

• Each function is a separate box /

product

• Dedicated / proprietary hardware

• Software evolution tied to hardware

evolution (& vice-versa)

• More interoperability issues

• Higher R&D costs translating to

higher product costs

• Each function is a VM on COTS servers

• Functions are location independent

• Software and hardware evolution decoupled

• Use of COTS hardware translates to lower costs

(because of more choices / options)

Virtualized packet core – another view

• Reduce Equipment Costs

• Enable Flexible and Scalable Hardware Allocation

• Simplify System Maintenance

• Open Interface

IOT – endpoint / application aware service function chaining

• Service functions applied only to relevant traffic

• Redundancy and load balancing in the network

• Distributed service elements

• Orchestrator assisted elastic virtual deployment

IOT – diverse function chains – realized in realtime

OTT

• Network operator’s question – battle OTT / embrace OTT

• Ultimate objective – monetize the network better

• Possibilities

• Own OTT service

• Partner with OTT vendor to leverage subscriber base (mutually)

OTT ---- Intent based programmable networks

Datacenter

uCPE (programmable)

Network Controller

Content Provider’s

Application

Request Resources (Time, B/w)

Realtime B/w & QoS

configuration

• “Smart” applications convert user

“intent”s to network parameters

• Applications handle content requests

• Controllers handle real time requests for

bandwidth and QoS changes in network

• Network is programmable in real time

Summary

• Virtualization enables sharing of resources (network / storage / computing power)

• SDN controller realizes resource allocation in real time to users -- according to

wants, economics and policies

• Transform all areas of home and industry – entertainment, healthcare, transport,

public safety, security, warfare, government, retail, enterprise, manufacturing