Virtualization of radio access network by Virtual Machine and Docker: Practice and performance analysis

Abstract

Software defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) are the embraced technologies for the backhauling of future 5G networks. Virtual Machine (VM) and Docker container based deployments have received much attention. This paper presents the virtualization of a prototyped software defined radio access network (RAN) architecture by using VMs and Docker containers. In addition, it provides an analytical model for the generalized software defined RAN architecture with the practice of VM based and Docker container based implementations. Using measurements obtained from the two testbeds and the introduced queuing model, we compare their performances and analyze the two different architectures. Results verify the superiority of the Docker technology. Some observations from the behavior of the testbeds are concluded for a better understanding of the VM and Docker container based technologies for the future development of 5G SDN controller.

SDR Enabled C-RAN Implementation using OpenAirInterface

“…Furthermore, container-based virtual-ization appears to be more efficient, faster and offers better performance in contrast to hypervisor-based virtualization, since hardware emulation is not required uniquely for each container [28,30]. Considering the performance of container-based virtualization, it is widely used for time-sensitive deployments, thus making a promising candidate for realizing virtualization of mobile networks [31][32][33].…”

Optimal management of reusable functional blocks in 5G superfluid networks

“…A second taxonomy includes the works investigating the virtualization of the radio access networks (see, eg, references herein [36][37][38][39][40][41] ). More in depth, Michalopoulos et al 38 advocate the need for a flexible network design for next generation networks.…”

“…In particular, the optimization of the functions placement, the resource allocation, the management, and the orchestration are listed among the different challenges and issues that need to be faced for this type of architectures. Moreover, Gopalasingham et al target the virtualization of a radio access network, either based on VMs and Docker containers. Results demonstrate the superiority of the Docker technology compared with a classical VM‐based one.…”

An RL Approach to Radio Resource Management in Heterogeneous Virtual RANs

“…A powerful concept addressing such needs is the virtualization of the radio access network (RAN), wherein the legacy communication system is decoupled by centralizing the softwarized radio access through virtual machines or containers running on servers at the edge of the cellular network [3]. While this makes the network more agile and minimizes the requirement of expensive dedicated hardware, the edge may host several applications competing for resources, thereby limiting the efficiency of radio functions [4].…”