Vinay Saxena

NFV-VITAL: A framework for characterizing the performance of virtual network functions

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) brings a cloud service automation paradigm to demand-driven elastic flexing of infrastructure resources. Thus, it is essential to characterize the impact of hardware and virtualization options on the virtual network function (VNF) performance, and on the load on underlying infrastructure. In this paper, we present VNF characterization case studies with three sample open-source VNF platforms, the Clearwater IMS VNF and two intrusion detection system VNFs (Snort and Suricata). We demonstrate that VNF characterization is vital for optimizing VNF performance, as well as efficient utilization of infrastructure resources. We use the lessons learned from our case studies to design and implement a VNF characterization framework, NFV-VITAL, to characterize VNFs based on user preferences and available resources. We demonstrate how NFV-VITAL can automatically determine optimal configurations under different workloads with the three sample VNFs.

PerfectDoc: a ground truthing environment for complex documents

In this paper, we present PerfectDoc; a ground truthing and document correction tool. The tool provides post processing correction capabilities that are required after complex document analysis and understanding tasks. The tool has the advantage of being comprehensive (integration of most common correction tasks), easy to use (minimal clicks for corrections), configurable (can be used for different types of documents), and provides separate correction views. We used the tool to correct the output from a document understanding system used to extract articles from 80-years archive of Time weekly magazine.

Document digitization lifecycle for complex magazine collection

The conversion of large collections of documents from paper to digital formats that are suitable for electronic archival is a complex multi-phase process. The creation of good quality images from paper documents is just one phase. To extract relevant information that they contain, with an accuracy that fits the purpose of target applications, an automated document analysis system and a manual verification/review process are needed. The automated system needs to perform a variety of analysis and recognition tasks in order to reach an accuracy level that minimizes the manual correction effort downstream.This paper describes the complete process and the associated technologies, tools, and systems needed for the conversion of a large collection of complex documents and deployment for online web access to its information rich content. We used this process to recapture 80 years of Time magazines. The historical collection is scanned, automatically processed by advanced document analysis components to extract articles, manually verified for accuracy, and converted in a form suitable for web access. We discuss the major phases of the conversion lifecycle and the technology developed and tools used for each phase. We also discuss results in terms of recognition accuracy.

Contain-ed: An NFV Micro-Service System for Containing e2e Latency

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) has enabled operators to dynamically place and allocate resources for network services to match workload requirements. However, unbounded end-to-end (e2e) latency of Service Function Chains (SFCs) resulting from distributed Virtualized Network Function (VNF) deployments can severely degrade performance. In particular, SFC instantiations with inter-data center links can incur high e2e latencies and Service Level Agreement (SLA) violations. These latencies can trigger timeouts and protocol errors with latency-sensitive operations. Traditional solutions to reduce e2e latency involve physical deployment of service elements in close proximity. These solutions are, however, no longer viable in the NFV era. In this paper, we present our solution that bounds the e2e latency in SFCs and inter-VNF control message exchanges by creating micro-service aggregates based on the affinity between VNFs. Our system, Contain-ed, dynamically creates and manages affinity aggregates using light-weight virtualization technologies like containers, allowing them to be placed in close proximity and hence bounding the e2e latency. We have applied Contain-ed to the Clearwater IP Multimedia Subsystem and built a proof-of-concept. Our results demonstrate that, by utilizing application and protocol specific knowledge, affinity aggregates can effectively bound SFC delays and significantly reduce protocol errors and service disruptions.