A Hierarchical Virtual Resource Management Architecture for Network Virtualization

Abstract

Network Virtualization is a promising way to overcome the weaknesses of the current Internet. However, how to solve the problem of the management and control of the virtual resources to obtain efficient resource utilization faces great challenges. In this paper, we propose a management framework of multi-domain and hierarchy to reduce the complexity and improve the efficiency of virtual resources management. The architecture is composed of a centralized Control System and separate Management Elements. The Management Element gathers virtual resources information from the underlying infrastructure provider. With the information, the Management Element is able to discovery the appropriate virtual resources to embed the sub-virtual network. In addition, separate Management Elements facilitate to handle the problem like local fault and mobility support. And the Control System is responsible for coordinating the virtual resources scheduling and accounting among the Management Elements. The hierarchical architecture realizes resource management, fault management and mobility support into the same framework, thus improving the efficiency of resource management greatly.