Deploying a multi-tier heterogeneous cloud: Experiences and lessons from the SAVI testbed

The SAVI testbed is a multi-tier SDN-enabled heterogeneous cloud created as an application enablement platform for academic research. It was developed to investigate the hypothesis that the entire infrastructure can be virtualized and abstracted as a service. Key to this investigation was the creation of a resource management system based on the concept of Software-Defined Infrastructure (SDI), which enables integrated control and management over heterogeneous resources and exposes a programmable interface for users. In this paper, we present our experiences in designing and deploying the Canadian national SAVI testbed, and discuss the various lessons learned along the way. In addition, we describe our ongoing work to enhance the testbed management system to meet the demands and challenges of the IoT era.