Security-aware optimal resource allocation for virtual network embedding

Abstract

Network virtualization enables the creation of multiple instances of virtual networks on top of a single physical infrastructure. Given its wide applicability, this technique has attracted a lot of interest both from academic researchers and major companies within the segment of computer networks. Although recent efforts (motivated mainly by the search for mechanisms to evaluate Future Internet proposals) have contributed substantially to materialize this concept, none of them has attempted to combine efficient resource allocation with fulfillment of security requirements (e.g., confidentiality). It is important to note that, in the context of virtual networks, the protection of shared network infrastructures constitutes a fundamental condition to enable its use in large scale. To address this problem, in this paper we propose a virtual network embedding model that satisfies security requirements and, at the same time, optimizes physical resource usage. The results obtained demonstrate that the model is able to correctly and optimally map virtual networks to a physical substrate, minimizing bandwidth costs for infrastructure providers.