Virtualization of disaggregated optical networks with open data models in support of network slicing

Abstract

Network slicing has been a major selling point of 5G networks, where a slice is roughly defined as a self-contained logical network on top of a shared infrastructure tailored for a specific service or vertical industry, composed of heterogeneous resources (computing, storage, bandwidths) and typically involving specific application and/or networking functions. The relationship between the network slicing and the underlying network virtualization is an open research topic, allowing multiple deployment models. In particular, a specific model of interest involves the virtualization of the optical infrastructure, where optical virtual networks are instantiated in support of network slicing, so the virtual network underlies and provides connectivity to component functions of a network slice. In this paper, we propose and implement a network virtualization architecture for open optical (partially) disaggregated networks, based on the concept of a device hypervisor relying on OpenROADM data models, in support of 5G network slicing over interconnected network function virtualization infrastructure points of presence (NFVI-PoPs). The architecture is experimentally validated, showing the provisioning of ITU-T flexigrid network media channels across a virtualized network.

A Techno-Economic Study of Optical Network Disaggregation Employing Open Source Software Business Models for Metropolitan Area Networks

“…For instance, the authors in [12] experimentally demonstrate that ONOS extensions allow fast connectivity provisioning and dynamic recovery reconfiguration (in less than 7 seconds) in a multilayer disaggregated optical scenario. The authors in [11] further demonstrate the automatic provisioning of network connectivity services featuring network sharing and virtualization in a partially disaggregated network scenario. The authors in [5] evaluate the programmability of packet/optical whiteboxes in a disaggregted optical network.…”

Software-Defined Networks for Optical Networks using Flexible Orchestration : Advances, Challenges and Opportunities

“…Experimental validation of the design demonstrates the provisioning of ITU-T flexigrid network media channels over a virtualized network. [139](2019 )…”

Emulating Software-Defined Disaggregated Optical Networks in a Containerized Framework

“…The next stage towards emulating a DON environment is device virtualisation that exploits the benefits provided by YANG models of devices, which is also explored in the community. A network virtualisation architecture for open (partially) disaggregated network uses the concept of device hypervisor in virtual networks by using OpenROADM data models [33]. Furthermore, another common approach for adding virtualization to DON-based devices is to implement their related agent in a virtual machine (VM)/container that can emulate a realistic behaviour of the optical device.…”