Jordi Mongay Batalla

Conception of ID layer performance at the network level for Internet of Things

This paper proposes a novel architecture of the ID (IDentifier) layer for Internet of Things, which is embedded in the network level instead of traditional overlay solutions. Our contribution characterizes development of human-readable, hierarchical ID-based unified addressing for both objects and services, corresponding to their locations. In this way, users gain easier access to the IoT resources and native support for multicast. Furthermore, we take advantage of the Networking Named Content approach to specify rules for ID-based data transfer. The network nodes have capabilities to cache forwarded data for handling future requests, what may decrease network overload and facilitate cooperation between applications and sensors which periodically move into sleep mode for saving energy. ID-based routing offers decoupling of identification of objects/services from their location. Awareness of forwarded IoT data together with hierarchical distribution of the network makes feasible the local management of users and objects, that is, the essential IoT processes such as object/service registration, publication, searching and resolution can be managed locally in the network node. This offers high flexibility and manageability and improves response of the system when the number of handled things scales. The paper presents the architecture of the proposed solution for ID layer focusing on modules and mechanisms of the ID network node, as well as detailed description of registration, resolution and forwarding processes. Furthermore, the implementation of the system, performed on Linux-based routers, was tested to confirm the correctness of ID layer processes. The tests show that the performance of ID network node is not worse than the performance of a classical IP Linux router running on an identical physical device.

Resource usage prediction algorithms for optimal selection of multimedia content delivery methods

This paper proposes two algorithms adopted in a prototype network architecture, for optimal selection of multimedia content delivery methods, as well as balanced delivery load, by exploiting a novel resource prediction engine. The proposed architecture exploits both algorithms for the prediction of future multimedia services demands, by providing the ability to keep optimal the distribution of the streaming data, among Content Delivery Networks, cloud-based providers and Home Media Gateways. In addition, the prediction of the upcoming fluctuations of the network, provides the ability to the proposed network architecture, achieving optimized Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) for the end users. Both algorithms were evaluated to establish their efficiency, towards effectively predicting future network traffic demands. The experimental results validated their performance and indicated fields for further research and experimentation.

Resource usage prediction for optimal and balanced provision of multimedia services

This paper proposes a novel network architecture for optimal and balanced provision of multimedia services, exploiting a resource prediction system. This architecture enables for the long-term prediction of multimedia services future demands, based on the history of previous network resources usage. The proposed research approach provides the opportunity for the optimal distribution of streaming data, among Content Delivery Networks, cloud-based providers and Home Media Gateways. The short-term prediction that is performed, enables for making the proper decisions by the system, according to specific network metrics, towards achieving higher Quality of Service and Quality of Experience for the end users. The validity of the proposed system is verified through several sets of extended experimental simulation tests, carried out under controlled simulation conditions.

A novel methodology for efficient throughput evaluation in virtualized routers

This paper analyzes a novel methodology for calculating the throughput in a device, which hosts multiple virtualized network interconnect devices (i.e. virtual routers). The proposed methodology, which extends the well-known procedure (for non-virtualized IP routers) adopted from RFC 2544, considers the impact of heterogeneity of the offered load at the level of virtual routers. The utility of this methodology is demonstrated, analyzing the throughput of virtualized routers by four different virtualization platforms that use two different techniques, which are the paravirtualization (Xen and Citrix Xen) and the OS-level virtualization (Linux Containers and Jails). The results indicate that the virtualization platforms behave differently to distribution of traffic load among virtual routers. Finally, the need for the proposed methodology is motivated by performing extensive throughput tests on the aforementioned platforms at different work points of the network device (i.e. different offered traffic load distribution between virtual routers).

An evaluation of cloud-based mobile services with limited capacity: a linear approach

Mobile computing is pervading networks at an increasing speed as mobile devices are used with diverse forms of wireless technologies to access data. This paper evaluates different cloud-supported mobile services subject to limited capacity, as the selection of a service may introduce additional costs, such as those that derive from the additional amount of memory required for processing. In this context, a novel linear model and algorithm in the mobile cloud computing environment are proposed from the service capacity perspective, considering the cost that derives from the unused capacity. The probability of overutilization or underutilization of the selected service is also researched, once a linear growth in the number of users occurs. To further make effective and strategic investment decisions when selecting the appropriate cloud-based mobile service to lease off, the model formulation is based on a cost–benefit appraisal. The proposed quantification approach is evaluated with respect to four different case scenarios, exploiting a web tool that has been developed as a proof of concept and implementing the algorithm to calculate and compare the benefits and costs in the mobile cloud-based service level.

Efficient entertainment services provision over a novel network architecture

The provision of entertainment services through current network infrastructures generates a significant part of global Internet traffic. Such traffic is created by users who are interconnected through social media networks, distributing multimedia content, as well as through their online games interaction, leading to a significant increase in data traffic demands. At the same time, users demand the high-quality content delivery necessary for such multimedia-based services and applications. In this article, a novel network architecture is proposed that exploits a resource prediction engine to predict the upcoming demands on resources for the optimal distribution of streaming data among content delivery networks, emerging mobile networks, cloudbased providers, and home media gateways. Performance evaluation experiments carried out under controlled conditions verify the validity of the proposed network architecture and establish its effectiveness for efficient resources prediction during the provision of entertainment services.

Provision of end-to-end QoS in heterogeneous multi-domain networks

In this paper, we present the framework to provision end-to-end QoS in heterogeneous multi-domain networks that was implemented in EuQoS system and tested in Pan-European research network. It assumes that a pair of end users, possibly attached to different access networks as xDSL, UMTS, LAN/Ethernet, WiFi, MPLS or Satellite, may choose for its connection an appropriate end-to-end Class of Service, depending on the application they use, e.g. VoIP, VoD, FTP, etc. Each end-to-end Class of Service has its own traffic control mechanisms and algorithms and, as a result, it has the ability to handle traffic streams with assumed guarantees for packet transfer characteristics expressed in the form of loss ratio, mean delay and delay variation. The end-to-end Classes of Service are supported in all the domains (including inter-domain links) independently using specialised inter-domain Class of Service-aware QoS routing protocol which establishes the end-to-end QoS paths. This paper describes the solution and includes exemplary simulation and experimental results.

ID-based service-oriented communications for unified access to IoT

The dynamic development of technologies for smart devices and the increasing availability of sensors and actuators facilitate significantly the implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The massive use of the IoT depends on the simplification of the set-up and management of the systems, which makes the service creation and composition easier. This paper discusses a prototyped implementation of IDSECOM (ID-based SErvice-oriented COMmunications for unified access in IoT): an innovative hierarchical network infrastructure for connecting IoT objects and services in an easy-to-manage and flexible way. This solution is appropriate when the location of the nodes is closely related to the structure of the environment as it occurs in intelligent buildings/enterprises.

Multi-criteria decision algorithms for efficient content delivery in content networks

Today’s Internet is prominently used for content distribution. Various platforms such as content delivery networks (CDNs) have become an integral part of the digital content ecosystem. Most recently, the information-centric networking (ICN) paradigm proposes the adoption of native content naming for secure and efficient content delivery. This further enhances the flexibility of content access where a content request can be served by any source within the Internet. In this paper, we propose and evaluate a multi-criteria decision algorithm for efficient content delivery applicable for content networks in general (among others, CDN and ICN). Our algorithm computes the best available source and path for serving content requests taking into account information about content transfer requirements, location of the consumer, location of available content servers, content server load and content delivery paths between content servers and consumer. The proposed algorithm exploits two closely related processes. The first level discovers multiple content delivery paths and gathers their respective transfer characteristics. This discovery process is based on long-term network measurements and performed offline. The second process is invoked for each content request to find the best combined content server and delivery path. The cooperation between both levels allows our algorithm to increase the number of satisfied content requests thanks to efficient utilisation of network and server resources. The proposed decision algorithm was evaluated by simulation using Internet scale network model. The results confirm the effectiveness gain of content network architectures that introduce network awareness. Moreover, the simulation process allows for a comparison between different routing algorithms and, especially, between single and multipath routing algorithms.

On cohabitating networking technologies with common wireless access for home automation system purposes

An increasing number of home automation systems using wireless devices compete for the radio access in the same space and time. Lately, a stressing trend consists of aggregating home automation systems to save energy consumption, while at the same time avoiding wireless interference. This article proposes virtualization, open software deployment, and separation of radio and higher layers as the response to the increasing expandability of home automation systems combined with the increasing number of technologies for connecting wireless devices. A system has been developed, containing three different technologies: ZigBee, Idsecom, and 6LoWPAN simultaneously working over a virtualization platform with access to a common antenna. The evaluation tests performed on the system validate the solution and separately show the performance capacity of virtualization platform, software (ZigBee, Idsecom and 6LoWPAN) nodes, and 802.15.4 wireless antennas.