Alessandro Giuseppi

An approximate dynamic programming approach to resource management in multi-cloud scenarios

ABSTRACT The programmability and the virtualisation of network resources are crucial to deploy scalable Information and Communications Technology (ICT) services. The increasing demand of cloud services, mainly devoted to the storage and computing, requires a new functional element, the Cloud Management Broker (CMB), aimed at managing multiple cloud resources to meet the customers’ requirements and, simultaneously, to optimise their usage. This paper proposes a multi-cloud resource allocation algorithm that manages the resource requests with the aim of maximising the CMB revenue over time. The algorithm is based on Markov decision process modelling and relies on reinforcement learning techniques to find online an approximate solution.

TeNOR: Steps towards an orchestration platform for multi-PoP NFV deployment

Network Functions Visualization is focused on migrating traditional hardware-based network functions to software-based appliances running on standard high volume severs. There are a variety of challenges facing early adopters of Network Function Virtualizations; key among them are resource and service mapping, to support virtual network function orchestration. Service providers need efficient and effective mapping capabilities to optimally deploy network services. This paper describes TeNOR, a micro-service based network function virtualisation orchestrator capable of effectively addressing resource and network service mapping. The functional architecture and data models of TeNOR are described, as well as two proposed approaches to address the resource mapping problem. Key evaluation results are discussed and an assessment of the mapping approaches is performed in terms of the service acceptance ratio and scalability of the proposed approaches.

Integrated Protection of Industrial Control Systems from Cyber-attacks: the ATENA Approach

Abstract Industrial and Automation Control systems traditionally achieved security thanks to the use of proprietary protocols and isolation from the telecommunication networks. Nowadays, the advent of the Industrial Internet of Things poses new security challenges. In this paper, we first highlight the main security challenges that advocate for new risk assessment and security strategies. To this end, we propose a security framework and advanced tools to properly manage vulnerabilities, and to timely react to the threats. The proposed architecture fills the gap between computer science and control theoretic approaches. The physical layers connected to Industrial Control Systems are prone to disrupt when facing cyber-attacks. Considering the modules of the proposed architecture, we focus on the development of a practical framework to compare information about physical faults and cyber-attacks. This strategy is implemented in the ATENA architecture that has been designed as an innovative solution for the protection of critical assets.

Controlled electricity distribution network black start with energy storage system support

This paper presents an optimal procedure for controlled electricity black start for electricity distribution grids in reaction to adverse events or malicious cyber attacks resulting in the interruption of the main power supply from transmission network. The islanded operation is supposed to be guaranteed by an electric energy storage system, which covers the network imbalance between demand and supply from distributed generation during the sequential reconnection of medium voltage branches. The objective is to restore the service to the consumers while avoiding violation of technical constraints in terms of storage power flow and battery capacity. The discussion of simulation results assesses the effectiveness of the proposed approach in the context of a simplified network model and gives rise to relevant remarks and requirements for further developments.

A distributed wardrop control algorithm for load balancing in smart grids

This paper presents a distributed strategy for load balancing in a smart grid, modeling demand and supply as a networked dynamical system. The algorithm, which is characterized by point-to-point communications among agents implemented at the level of local energy management systems, is proven to converge to a Wardrop equilibrium. Numerical simulations of realistic scenarios are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

On the optimization of energy storage system placement for protecting power transmission grids against dynamic load altering attacks

In this paper a power system protection scheme based on energy storage system placement against closed-loop dynamic load altering attacks is proposed. The protection design consists in formulating a non-convex optimization problem, subject to a Lyapunov stability constraint and solved using a two-step iterative procedure. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the approach and the potential relevance of using energy storage systems in support of primary frequency regulation services.