Policy-based network slicing management for future mobile communications

Innovative technologies, such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), are enabling the possibility of managing network infrastructures and their services for enhancing network flexibility, efficient resource control, and cost-efficiency. How to combine these technologies requires taking into account the requirements established by the scenarios being executed, which can change at any time due to their dynamism. Network Slicing appeared to this end. This new technique tailors the needs of a particular scenario whose requirements are extremely heterogeneous and complex. By using Network Slicing, SDN/NFV-enabled environments can be strengthened to manage network resources and services depending on those requirements. Nevertheless, Network Slicing approaches lack management mechanisms that consider the heterogeneity and dynamism provided by scenarios based on future mobile networks. This article presents a formal definition of the Network Slicing information model, where all elements interacting with the Network Slices life cycle are formally represented. Another important contribution is a mobility-aware architecture that combines NFV/SDN techniques and introduces innovative components responsible for managing and orchestrating the Network Slices. Finally, a systematic comparison is made between the existing architectures and the proposed one.