Optimizing Resource Allocation and VNF Embedding in RAN Slicing

• Published in: IEEE eTransactions on network and service management Vol. 21; no. 2; pp. 2187 - 2199
• Main Authors: Nguyen, Tu N., Le, Thinh V., Nguyen, Manh V., Nguyen, Hoa N., Vu, Son
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.04.2024; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Algorithms; Bandwidth; Computer architecture; Embedding; Mapping; Network function virtualization; Network slicing; Radio access networks; RAN slicing; Resource allocation; Resource management; Substrates; Virtual links; Virtual networks; VNF embedding
• ISSN: 1932-4537; 1932-4537
• DOI: 10.1109/TNSM.2023.3319309

5G radio access network (RAN) with network slicing methodology plays a key role in the development of the next-generation network system. RAN slicing focuses on splitting the substrate's resources into a set of self-contained programmable RAN slices. Leveraged by network function virtualization (NFV), a RAN slice is constituted by various virtual network functions (VNFs) and virtual links that are embedded as instances on substrate nodes. In this work, we focus on the following fundamental tasks: i) establishing the theoretical foundation for constructing a VNF mapping plan for RAN slice recovery optimization and ii) developing algorithms needed to map/embed VNFs efficiently. Specifically, we propose four efficient algorithms, including Resource-based Algorithm (RBA), Connectivity-based Algorithm (CBA), Group-based Algorithm (GBA), and Group-Connectivity-based Algorithm (GCBA) to solve the resource allocation and VNF mapping problem. Extensive experiments are also conducted to validate the robustness of RAN slicing via the proposed algorithms.