Type
Text
Type
Dissertation
Advisor
Balasubramanian, Aruna | Das, Samir | Gill, Phillipa | Sekar, Vyas | Gopalakrishnan, Vijay.
Date
2015-12-01
Keywords
Computer science
Department
Department of Computer Science.
Language
en_US
Source
This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree.
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/11401/77311
Publisher
The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.
Format
application/pdf
Abstract
Networks today rely on network functions or middleboxes (e.g. | firewalls, WAN optimizers) to provide critical performance, security, and policy compliance capabilities. However, today the management of these middleboxes is hard. First, these middleboxes are implemented as dedicated hardware appliances, making it difficult to dynamically scale resources. Second, operators need to carefully plan the network topology, manually set up rules to route traffic through the desired sequence of middleboxes, and implement safeguards for correct operation in the presence of failures and overload. We can overhaul today’s network infrastructure to address these problems by introducing flexibility in routing and the implementation of these middleboxes. However, from network operator’s perspective a key question is whether we can address these problems in a minimally disruptive manner, e.g. | which require minimal changes to existing middlebox implementations and routing mechanisms. In this thesis, I describe two case studies for introducing more flexibility in middlebox management with minimal changes to existing middlebox implementations and routing mechanisms. In the first part of the thesis, I describe SIMPLE, a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) based efficient middlebox traffic steering solution which works with existing middlebox implementations and uses existing SDN APIs. In SIMPLE, I address algorithmic and system design challenges to demonstrate the feasibility of using SDN to simplify middlebox traffic steering. In the second part of the thesis, I describe KLEIN a cellular core re-design that uses Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and smart resource management, stays within the confines of current cellular standards and uses legacy routing in the core network. I address key challenges w.r.t. scalability, responsiveness and in realizing KLEIN via backwards-compatible orchestration mechanisms. | Networks today rely on network functions or middleboxes (e.g. | firewalls, WAN optimizers) to provide critical performance, security, and policy compliance capabilities. However, today the management of these middleboxes is hard. First, these middleboxes are implemented as dedicated hardware appliances, making it difficult to dynamically scale resources. Second, operators need to carefully plan the network topology, manually set up rules to route traffic through the desired sequence of middleboxes, and implement safeguards for correct operation in the presence of failures and overload. We can overhaul today’s network infrastructure to address these problems by introducing flexibility in routing and the implementation of these middleboxes. However, from network operator’s perspective a key question is whether we can address these problems in a minimally disruptive manner, e.g. | which require minimal changes to existing middlebox implementations and routing mechanisms. In this thesis, I describe two case studies for introducing more flexibility in middlebox management with minimal changes to existing middlebox implementations and routing mechanisms. In the first part of the thesis, I describe SIMPLE, a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) based efficient middlebox traffic steering solution which works with existing middlebox implementations and uses existing SDN APIs. In SIMPLE, I address algorithmic and system design challenges to demonstrate the feasibility of using SDN to simplify middlebox traffic steering. In the second part of the thesis, I describe KLEIN a cellular core re-design that uses Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and smart resource management, stays within the confines of current cellular standards and uses legacy routing in the core network. I address key challenges w.r.t. scalability, responsiveness and in realizing KLEIN via backwards-compatible orchestration mechanisms. | 138 pages
Recommended Citation
Qazi, Zafar Ayyub, "Minimally Disruptive Management Frameworks for Network Functions" (2015). Stony Brook Theses and Dissertations Collection, 2006-2020 (closed to submissions). 3132.
https://commons.library.stonybrook.edu/stony-brook-theses-and-dissertations-collection/3132