OpenFlow is a leading standard for Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and has already played a significant role in reshaping network infrastructures. However, a wide range of existing provider domains is still not equipped with a framework that supports wider deployment of an OpenFlow-based control plane beyond Ethernetdominated networks. We address this gap by introducing a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) which can transform legacy network elements into OpenFlow capable devices. This paper details the functional architecture of HAL, discusses the key design aspects and explains how HAL can support a number of network device classes. In addition, this paper presents the implementation details of HAL for hardware platforms such as DOCSIS (Data over Cable Service Interface Specification) and DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) which have so far received little attention by the OpenFlow research community despite their wide real-world deployment.

Internet capable mobile or portable devices are already a modern commodity while it is becoming more and more common that such devices are hosts to more than one wireless network interface. The aim of this work is to show from a user's perspective how such a portable device may make best use of this property by using multiple wireless and wired network interfaces simultaneously. This would incline that the intelligent control logic can distribute active flows across the available network interfaces and that it is also able to seamlessly transfer them between the network interfaces in mid-session without interruption. Focus of this work is on the inclusion of user preferences in the decision process, recognizing that future telecommunication systems may include also network conditions and operator preferences.

Future envisions universal and uninterrupted access to information owing to the widespread use of heterogeneous wireless technologies. The integration of heterogeneous wireless technologies and existence of multi-mode terminals enable users get associated to the best available networks according to user preferences over different application specific requirements, prices and network technologies. In this paper we present the user-centric network selection decision mechanism, where negotiation between users and network operators is carried out using game-theoretic approach. We model the utility functions of users and network operators. We also discuss the truth telling behavior of network operators in terms of offered prices and service quality. The proposed approach builds on IEEE 802.21 standard. Session Initiation Protocol(SIP) and Mobile Internet Protocol (MIPv6) based flow management solutions are given, the later approach is implemented using OPNET modeller simulator. The performance of our approach is compared with Long-term contractual approach in terms of users throughput, users cost, operators revenue and call blocking probability.

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OpenFlow is catalyzing the deployment of software defined networking (SDN) technologies around the globe. In practice, however, compatibility issues hinder the deployment of an OpenFlow control plane on a number of network platforms. The FP7 ALIEN project addresses this problem by introducing a Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) which enables OpenFlow capabilities on legacy network elements. This paper presents the implementation of a HAL on programmable network platforms with multi-core CPUs and summarizes the implementation experience gained in the process.

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This paper presents analytical models to dimension the transport bandwidths for the S1 interface in the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Network. In this paper, we consider two major traffic types: elastic traffic and real time traffic. For each type of traffic, individual dimensioning models are proposed. For validating these analytical dimensioning models, a developed LTE system simulation model is used. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed models can properly estimate the required performances and thus be able to be used for link dimensioning for various traffic and network scenarios.

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