A survey on next generation networks and cloud computing

Abstract

IP Data Networking has been developed based on telecommunications principles, the TCP/IP stack, and the legacy routing/switching of information data units. The same principles, together with the latest evolution in Computer Science and Technology, are used for the next generation networking: software-defined and programmable networks, cloud, virtualization, all combined with high-speed and reliable lines allow access to a globally connected community. This work surveys modern networking, emphasizing cloud, virtualization, software-defined networks and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). The advantages and drawbacks of each technology are considered, together with their principles and functionalities. At the end of this survey, an SDN testbed is setup, based on GNS3 with Docker support and the OpenDaylight controller. Various platforms are used in a virtualized environment to end up with a functional combination. A simple SDN traffic engineering scenario is also demonstrated. The scenario of the traffic control of Ethernet frames within a Local Area Network with granular security requirements, which is approached in this thesis, is a significant interest for the network companies or security services which are trying to migrate to more flexible networks, agile and programmable. This scenario made it possible to explore the performance and management of next-generation networks on the network's two operational planes, which are the data plan and the control plan. The conclusion section gives a general view of this thesis using results of researches and showing how NFV and SDN open the way to the 5G network, which must be intelligent, virtualized, and programmable in order to improve the performance of the services offered by companies. It explores also specific requirements such as the control of interfaces, the protection of operating systems, the reliable connectivity, the data network's security and flexibility, and some advantages, obstacles and future challenges of network development and deployment on the NFV / SDN environment are explored.