NASOR: A network slicing approach for multiple Autonomous Systems

• Published in: Computer communications Vol. 179; pp. 131 - 144
• Main Authors: Moreira, Rodrigo, Rosa, Pedro Frosi, Aguiar, Rui Luis Andrade, Silva, Flávio de Oliveira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-11-2021
• Subjects: Multi-domain; Network slicing; NFV; Orchestration; Recursive Network Slicing; SDN; Segment rouging; Orchestration; Multi-domain; Network slicing; Segment rouging; Recursive Network Slicing; SDN; NFV
• ISSN: 0140-3664; 1873-703X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.comcom.2021.07.028

Realizing network slicing inside and between Autonomous Systems (ASs), that is, multi-domain, is challenging because there is no consensus or solutions that consider both policy and technological independence between domains. Many approaches found in the literature aimed to realize network slices that span across multiple ASs. However, they commonly rely on cross-connected technologies or domain-coupled such as Virtual Private Network (VPN) or Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS). This work addresses the issue of multi-domain network slicing by leveraging technologies such as Software-defined Networking (SDN), Segment Routing (SR), and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) in an innovative distributed framework, called Network And Slice ORchestrator (NASOR). Our work advances resource management and orchestration potentialities, providing a recursive network slice mechanism and adding dynamism in the network slice deployment between multiple domains through an open interface. As a result, NASOR functionally outperforms its peers. Experiments showcased the proposal’s applicability and scalability in multi-domain network slicing. Additionally, experiments suggest that an open interface enhances network slices’ customization degree and improves the network Quality of Service (QoS) in typical Internet applications, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
•A network slice deployment approach on top of the Internet data plane routers.•A proposal to maintain the political and technological independence of the domains.•A cross-domain mechanism for distributing compute and network capabilities over ASs.•An extended ETSI-based framework for recursive network slicing across multiple ASs.•An Open Policy Interface to improve network slice deployment for third parties.