Optimal Functionality Placement for Multiplay Service Provider Architectures

The proliferation of multiplay services is creating design dilemmas for service providers, related to where certain key networking functionality should be placed. For example, service providers need to know whether to distribute more network intelligence closer to the subscriber or cluster it in a central location. In view of this, we quantify the cost differences among service provider architectures, identified based on the functionality distribution (centralized vs. distributed, clustered vs. unclustered and single vs. multi edge). For this purpose, we formulate a modular mixed-integer programming model based on a set of close-to-real-case scenarios. Given the complexity of such problems, we propose methodologies that can reduce the number of locations. Our results indicate that distributing the IP intelligence and the video replication is preferable. Moreover, deploying edge systems with faster backplane has little benefit in the aggregation network, and providers should rather invest in faster interfaces.