Bringing Network Coding into SDN: Architectural Study for Meshed Heterogeneous Communications

Modern communications have moved away from point-to-point models to increasingly heterogeneous network models. In this article, we propose a novel controller-based architecture to deploy adaptive causal network coding in heterogeneous and highly meshed communication networks. Specifically, we consider using the software-defined network as the main controller. We first present an architecture for highly meshed heterogeneous multi-source multi-destination networks that represent the practical communication networks encountered in the fifth generation of wireless networks and beyond. Next, we present a promising solution to deploy network coding over the new architecture. We also present a new controller-based setting with which network coding modules communicate to attain the required information. Finally, we briefly discuss how the proposed architecture and network coding solution provide a good opportunity for future technologies.