Hubert Zimmermann

VNE-AC: Virtual Network Embedding Algorithm Based on Ant Colony Metaheuristic

In this paper, we address a virtual network embedding problem. Indeed, our objective is to map virtual networks in the substrate network with minimum physical resources while satisfying its required QoS in terms of bandwidth, power processing and memory. In doing so, we minimize the reject rate of requests and maximize returns for the substrate network provider. Since the problem is NP-hard and to deal with its computational hardness, we propound a new scalable embedding strategy named \texttt{VNE-AC} based on the Ant Colony metaheuristic. The intensive simulations and evaluation results show that our proposal enhances the substrate providers revenue and outperforms the related strategies found in current literature.

Towards an Autonomic Piloting Virtual Network Architecture

The Internet has known an impressive success in the three last decades. Nonetheless, due to its size and scope, this large network has become victim of its own success. Innovative approaches are required to overcome the shortfalls of current systems and to design Next Generation Internet. In this context, network virtualization presents a viable solution to deal with the current Internet impasse. It provides a promising way to deploy different network architectures and protocols over a shared physical infrastructure. However, in spite of its multiple advantages, network virtualization adds more complexity on network systems. A promising solution to address this huge complexity consists on developing systems which are capable of managing themselves, called autonomic computing systems or self-* systems. This paper proposes an agent-based autonomic framework which is able to self manage virtual resources. We provide a detail description of the proposed autonomic architecture and we focus on a real testbed implementation and testing of our framework. Experiment results show the ability of our system to self-configure its resources in order to maintain a required QoS level.

Piloting the home network

This article presents a way to manage and control home networking and, more specifically, a method to control the QoS within a HN. For providing this control, a new advanced platform was developed, based on a KP and unified knowledge management policies. This solution is very important for the development of mesh-networks within the home with adequate use of the combination of WiFi and PLC networks. A more extensive investigation of this technology is planned for the near future, including aspects such as congestion control and maintenance of the HN.

An optimised dynamic resource allocation algorithm for Cloud's backbone network

Sky computing is a promising concept enabling a flexible deployment of geographical distributed applications. Whereas, it is faced with a fundamental challenge which is: “efficient resource utilisation” within Clouds infrastructure. Hence, a high flexible and intelligent resource allocation scheme is necessary to accommodate unpredictable and variable users demands. This paper tackles the fundamental challenge of efficient resource allocation within Clouds backbone network. The ultimate goal is to satisfy the Clouds user requirements while maximising Cloud providers revenue. The problem consists in embedding virtual networks within substrate infrastructure. A new dynamic adaptive virtual network resource allocation strategy named Backtracking-VNE is investigated to deal with the complexity of resource provisioning within Cloud network. The proposal coordinates virtual nodes and virtual links mapping stages to optimise resources usage. Moreover, thanks to forecasting module, Backtracking-VNE guarantees an efficient resources share between embedded virtual links with respect to their occupancy. We demonstrate through extensive simulations that contrarily to static bandwidth allocation approaches, Backtracking-VNE enhances substrate bandwidth usage whilst minimising virtual links congestion. Acceptance rate of virtual networks and Cloud providers income are also improved compared with related strategies.

A piloting plane for controlling wireless devices

The development of the IEEE wireless technologies is promising the ultimate Internet service deployment on wireless and mobile infrastructures since they would offer larger bandwidth at cheaper price. However, it is disquieting to see that the different control algorithms supposed to be the heart of the wireless deployment are not evolving as fast as the wireless technologies do. Here we come up with the hard question: how to pilot these control algorithms? This paper is proposing a revolutionary tyre where all control algorithms are fed in a concerted manner by a self-steering system. In network terms, this paper is proposing a definitely new technology that will permit to optimize, secure, manage and control the wireless devices using an automatic pilot system.

Practical handover optimization solution using autonomic agent-based piloting system

With the multiplication of wireless communication networks and the increasing capabilities of the user devices equipped with multiple technology interfaces, being always connected tends to be a reality in the near future. In this article we propose to pilot the current weak handover algorithms using an autonomic agent-based piloting system. We specifically focus on the pre-execution handover process. The proposed system main contributions are to recover the useful information and compute it to obtain useful knowledge. This latter will be used for feeding a sophisticated handover decision algorithm in order to pick the most appropriate access network. We have developed a real testbed to evaluate and validate our solution unlike most proposed works analyzed only by simulations and thus avoid practical problems encountered in real environment. Above this real platform we performed an experimentation in 802.11 wireless networks that shows promising results.

Autonomous agents for autonomic networks

This paper deals with a multi-agent technology as a tool to introduce an autonomic behavior in network control and management. In a first section, we describe the autonomic communication paradigm, the characteristics, and the need for new architectures. Then, we focus on the differences between a classical and an autonomic network. Some related works involving the combination of artificial intelligence and telecommunication networks are presented. Then, characteristics of agents and multi-agent systems are presented to provide the network with autonomic behavior. A specific section also analyzes the different proposals in the literature. Then, a network-oriented platform associated with agent capabilities is described. The following section presents an application of the architecture toOspf weight setting optimization. Finally, the paper details two experiments on theOspf weight setting applied to a small network and to a large scale network.RésuméCet article utilise les technologies multi-agent comme un outil pour introduire un comportement autonomique dans le contrôle et la gestion de réseaux. Dans une première partie, nous décrivons le paradigme d’« autonomic communication », ses caractéristiques, et le besoin de nouvelles architectures. Ensuite, nous focalisons notre étude sur les différences entre un réseau classique et un réseau autonomique. Nous présentons des études combinant des outils d’intelligence artificielle et les réseaux de télécommunications. Puis les caractéristiques propres aux concepts d’agents et de systèmes multi-agents pour offrir aux réseaux les comportements autonomiques sont présentées. Une section particulière est vouée à l’analyse des différentes propositions de la littérature. Une plateforme orientée réseau enrichie de fonctionnalités agent est ensuite décrite. La section suivante présente une application de notre architecture à la problématique d’optimisation des métriques dansOspf. Enfin, l’article détaille deux expérimentations de l’application d’optimisation des métriquesOspf, respectivement dans un réseau de petite taille et dans un réseau à large échelle.