Speakers: Gianluca Davoli, Domenico Scotece, Luca Foschini and Walter Cerroni
Duration: 3 hr
Abstract: In an era characterized by pervasive connectivity and the convergence of 5G/6G, IoT, and Edge/Fog computing, network orchestration practises represent a fundamental toolset enabling innovation in communication networks. This tutorial has two main goals. First, it reviews how traditional network management and automation practices have evolved into a more comprehensive orchestration paradigm capable of integrating multi-vendor, multi-technology environments, in a seamless manner. Second, it shows participants that they too can be part of this software (r)evolution in communication networks, demonstrating how easy it can be to “build your own SDN controller” leveraging architectures and technologies which are already of common use. The tutorial addresses key challenges of network orchestration (e.g., interoperability, dynamic resource allocation, and automation) in scenarios where computing is increasingly shifting towards the Edge. To tackle these issues, the tutorial outlines network softwarization and its underlying concepts, and introduce a practical “playground” framework for designing and evaluating microservice-based SDN controllers. Through concrete examples, the tutorial shows how to develop, customize, and test critical functionalities in a sandboxed environment, leading to fully fledged SDN controllers. The ultimate objective is to facilitate participants in understanding the current developments and best practices, and anticipating the upcoming ones, in the broad domain of network softwarization.
Speaker Bios
Gianluca Davoli is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bologna, Italy, where he obtained his Ph.D. degree in 2021. He was a Visiting Scholar and a Visiting Professor at Saint Louis University, USA, in 2019 and 2024, respectively. His research work revolves around multiple aspects of softwarization in communication infrastructures, including service orchestration over the Cloud continuum, with a focus on the (far and near) Edge segment.
Domenico Scotece is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bologna, Italy, after having obtained the Ph.D degree at the same University in April 2020. His research interests include pervasive computing, middleware for fog and edge computing, the Software-Defined Networking, the Internet of Things, and 5G and O-RAN networks.
Walter Cerroni is an Associate Professor of Communication Networks with the University of Bologna, Italy. His recent research interests focus on multiple aspects of control, management and orchestration of communication network infrastructures. He is serving as Chair of the ComSoc TAOS TC, as Lead Editor of the IEEE Communications Magazine Series on Network Softwarization and Management, and as Chair of the IEEE NetSoft Conference Steering Committee.
Luca Foschini is a Full Professor of Computer Engineering with the University of Bologna, Italy. His interests span from integrated management of distributed systems and services to mobile crowd-sourcing/-sensing, from infrastructures for the deployment of Industry 4.0 solutions to fog/edge cloud systems. Finally, he is serving as Chair of the ComSoc CSIM TC, and has served in 2022-2023 as Director of the IEEE ComSoc EMEA Region and non-voting member of the ComSoc Board of Governors.
Tutorial outline
1. A retrospective on network softwarization (W. Cerroni, 45 minutes)
- Evolution of software-driven networking: virtualization, cloud-native solutions, and network slicing
- Key technologies: Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV)
- Advancements in network programmability: PISA, P4, and SmartNICs
- Role of containerization and microservices in modern network architectures
2. Network orchestration, the new frontier of network softwarization (G. Davoli, 45 minutes)
- The role of orchestration in managing user needs, services, and resource allocation
- Frameworks for orchestration: ETSI MANO and Kubernetes
- Challenges in interoperability, automation, and multi-domain orchestration
- Future directions: holistic service provisioning, cross-layer programmability, and compliance with network operator requirements
3. Disaggregated Software-defined Network with MSN (L. Foschini, 45 minutes)
- Evolution from centralized to microservice-based SDN controllers
- Benefits of disaggregation: scalability, flexibility, and resilience
- Microservice-Based SDN Architecture
4. Build your own microservice-based SDN controller (D. Scotece, 45 minutes)
- Implementation with MSN Framework
- Decomposing the Ryu SDN controller into microservices
- Practical deployment using REST APIs, gRPC, and containerization
- Hands-on Exploration and Use Cases