Distributed placement and online optimization of virtual machines for network service chains

Xiaojing Chen, Wei Ni, Iain B. Collings, Xin Wang, Shugong Xu

Research output: Chapter in Book or Report/Conference proceedingConference Proceedingpeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper proposes a new fully decentralized approach for online placement and optimization of virtual machines (VMs) for network functions virtualization (NFV). The approach is non-trivial as the virtual network functions (VNFs) constituting network services must be executed correctly in order at different VMs, coupling the optimal decisions of VMs on processing or forwarding. Leveraging Lyapunov optimization techniques, we decouple the optimal decisions by minimizing the instantaneous NFV cost in a distributed fashion, and achieve the asymptotically minimum time-average cost. We also reduce the queue length by allowing individual VMs to (un)install VNFs based on local knowledge, adapting to the network topology and the temporal and spatial variations of services. Simulations show that the proposed approach is able to reduce the time-average cost of NFV by 71% and reduce the queue length (or delay) by 74%, as compared to existing approaches.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication2018 IEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2018 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
ISBN (Print)9781538631805
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Jul 2018
Externally publishedYes
Event2018 IEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2018 - Kansas City, United States
Duration: 20 May 201824 May 2018

Publication series

NameIEEE International Conference on Communications
Volume2018-May
ISSN (Print)1550-3607

Conference

Conference2018 IEEE International Conference on Communications, ICC 2018
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityKansas City
Period20/05/1824/05/18

Keywords

  • Lyapunov optimization
  • Network functions virtualization
  • Virtual machine

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