Noëmie Simoni

Information Model: From Abstraction to Application

Today’s telecommunication structures, already widespread, are based on heterogeneous systems. In fact, in most networks, there are products and services from multiple vendors, and these products incorporate multiple technologies. So how can we manage networks which coexist, cooperate and internetwork in heterogeneous environment? As a matter of fact, we can say that management of network needs to have information on the whole behavior of all network elements. Thus, an information model must be provided, describing the way in which information is structured. We know that this information model is a critical component of a network management framework. Which are the main contributions of network management standards in this area? OSI management standards have adopted the object oriented paradigm for definition of management information [1]. Also, a semi-formal notation for the description of the syntactical elements of managed object classes, GDMO [2], has been defined. In addition, managed object sets (libraries) [3], are provided for developing its own specific information model. However, there is no provision of structuration of the information. On the contrary, CCITT [4] provides a generic network model without distinguishing between network and network element viewpoints [5] and without enhancing the service aspect. However, Network, Network Element and Service views are primordial for integrated management. The Internet community defines the MIB II (Management Information Base) [6]. The information is only attribute oriented. This is mainly for reasons of simplicity and quick provision of an operational network management framework. A main drawback is the lack of powerful modeling concepts. Each standard provides some elements of solution. However they still do not propose an integrated information model. In order to provide a complete answer that meets all requirements, it is necessary to reply to the following questions: Which are the main objectives of a satisfactory management information model? Which are the necessary conceptual tools? The answers lead us to propose an object oriented information model supporting both network and service aspects, which may be applied to any network element according to a particular visibility. To pass from this abstract model to its instantiation for a particular network configuration, we focus on the FDDI subnetwork management. Throughout this application, we enhance its efficiency for monitoring, controlling, analyzing and eventually managing the studied configuration. In addition, we provide the basic rules that guide us during the instantiation of the abstract model for any specific network.

A next-generation service overlay architecture

The rapid evolution of next-generation networks and, in particular, fixed mobile convergence infrastructures raises the issue of providing personalized services adapted to the user’s context such as its device, access network, preferences, or quality of service (QoS) requirements. To design such value-added services, one solution consists in composing dynamically distributed service entities. In this paper, we propose a service overlay architecture in which a service level path is dynamically established to fulfill the user’s requirements. In order to meet this goal, two main issues have to be considered: service components discovery and service path management (i.e., setup, reconfiguration, release). The former issue is addressed based on a peer-to-peer approach in which QoS features are integrated in service lookup. For the latter issue, we rely on the Session Initiation Protocol to automate the setup of the service composition as well as its adaptation in case of perturbations (e.g., user switching device or service component failure).

Towards Dynamic Virtual Private Service Networks: Design and Self-Management

The aim of this paper is to propose a solution for service virtualization and structure within what we call the next generation service (NGS) context. For this purpose, we first propose to distinguish services from networks by separating the network level and the service level. Afterwards, we propose to generalize and apply networking concepts within the service level. This leads us to introduce the necessary elements to support service virtualization, i.e. virtual private service networks (VPSNs) and virtual service networks (VSNs). The VPSN is the private network that translates the logic of the service required by the user and proactively maintains the end-to-end QoS to meet the service level agreement. The VSNs provide means to support the VPSNs using self-management capabilities to anticipate the local QoS degradation and take the necessary preventive actions

Risk analysis study of ITS communication architecture

Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are cooperative systems based on vehicular communications. They involve different actors like manufacturers, transportations authorities and users and enable diverse ITS applications to enhance safety in transportation systems. One of the ultimate design goals of ITS is to have a robust system that resists to various security attacks. Thus, security remains a major challenge before the deployment of such systems. In this paper, we present the ITS framework and communication architecture in Europe. Then, we identify inherent threats in this architecture. Finally, and using ETSI threat analysis methodology, we propose a risk analysis of ITS.

Self-Control Cloud Services

We introduce a self-control integrated service component aiming at ensuring Service Level Agreement management. Our approach based on quality of service has two important points: the contract description (supply and demand) and the contract management. The self-control in service components allows us to react dynamically (operational decision) and the autonomic loop enables us to manage the services composition in a virtual session (tactical and strategic decision). This approach is proposed in the Open Cloud ware project. We also provide an example of self-control cloud services through the Springoo application.

NaaS architecture through SDN-enabled NFV: Network openness towards web communication service providers

The sharp rise of OTT application services in recent years has called for greater application-to-network visibility. These dynamic application services represent a foremost drive in the communication ecosystem changes. However, the tight coupling between network services and network infrastructures pose challenges for network providers. They need more dynamicity in their network architectures to meet the requirements of application services. SDN and NFV is the combination of networking technologies that facilitate such an evolution. But is it sufficient to allow dynamic application-to-network interactions? In this paper, we rely on SDN-enabled NFV assets as a strong foundation to propose a dynamic and adaptable “Network-as-a-Service” architecture. We leverage our NaaS proposal with a resilient Network Exposition Layer allowing to express offers and demands of network services. To demonstrate the offered features, we propose three architecture deployment models: broad, customized and event-based dynamic model. We then instantiate our architecture within the WebRTC-based communication services, illustrating the collaboration between network providers and Communication Service Providers (CSPs).

NaaS: QoS-aware Cloud Networking Services

Network as a Service (NaaS) is recently becoming increasingly relevant, as it will enable cloud providers to select on-demand network services according to application needs. Currently, the lack of QoS control over cloud networking services may significantly impact the application performance. Therefore, two important issues should be addressed by the NaaS providers: (i) determining the QoS to be provided by each cloud networking service, (ii) supporting advanced services differentiation to ensure application flow requirements. In this paper, we present a modeling of QoS-aware cloud networking services and we propose a class of service (CoS) classification to deal with flow cloud application requirements.

An information model for service and network management integration: from needs towards solutions

This paper proposes enhancements for information modeling to support service and network management integration. Despite the existence of management standard models (TMN, TMF, DMTF), it seems that operators are facing difficulties choosing the appropriate model, defining its instances and achieving its implementations. The analysis of this situation stresses the need for an information model able to represent the real world objects independently of their management. To respond to this key requirement, we propose solutions, based on a metamodel, that guarantee information coherence, self-management capability and management integration. These propositions allow the operators to support new workflows and to handle new services efficiently. Furthermore, the M3100 model, the MTNM model and the ENST model are applied to model an ADSL network example.

An Information Model for the QOS Monitoring of an ATM Switch: from Analysis to Implementation

Abstract The information model is the conceptual support of every application, including network supervision and management. To obtain a unified view of the network resources, considering the complexity and heterogeneity of networks, it is important to base the management on a generic and powerful model. This paper presents a generic information model of network elements applied to the administration of an ATM switch. This hierarchical and modular model follows the guidelines of the different network management standards. Moreover, we have used an object oriented methodology. Based on that model, the ATM switch model has been implemented using an object-oriented programming language.

On-demand dynamic network service deployment over NaaS architecture

We present in this paper the implementation of the networking part of a Network-as-a-Service (NaaS) architecture based on SDN-enabled NFV using as a basis the OPNFV open framework. This NaaS architecture can be instantiated according to three deployment models allowing application service providers (OTTs) and application services themselves to request specific network services from a network provider within a NaaS model. Therefore, we propose to demonstrate the feasibility of NaaS architecture deployment models with a focus on an “on-demand dynamic model” to highlight the offered dynamicity and easy application-to-network interactions. We have chosen to illustrate the deployment models with a WebRTC OTT application and showcase the on-demand dynamic deployment of virtual network functions, mainly TURN server. Because of time-sensitivity of these communication services, we have relied on container-based (Docker type) instead of virtual machine-based network functions virtualization.