Managing the OTT Traffic in NFV Environment

The emerging concepts Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) lay the ground for system softwarization of future networks and services, under the umbrella of 5G. In this regard, a special focus is given to Video Distribution Networks (VDN), particularly in relation to existing difficulties in handling demands laid on the network as well as in relation to challenges in providing the expected Quality of Experience (QoE) and other performance demands like minimum energy consumption. The paper is focused on some of the most important elements associated with the virtualisation of Over-The-Top (OTT) video distribution networks and also advancing the system for managing the OTT traffic in Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) environment. The paper provides motivation, problem description, virtualisation target, standardisation efforts, NFV framework as well as short presentation of the main technical issues associated with managing the OTT traffic inNFV scenarios.