Cloud-Based Networking: Mobile Cloud Networking
Mobile cloud networking (MCN) 2 is a large-scale integrated project funded by the European Commission EP7, focusing on the implementation of cloud computing and network function virtualization to achieve the virtual cellular network. It is designed as a completely cloud-based mobile communication and application platform. More specifically, it aims to investigate, implement, and evaluate the LTE mobile communication system’s technology base. This mobile communication system provides atomic level of service based on the mobile network and decentralized computing and intelligent storage, in order to support atomical services and flexible payment.
As shown in Fig. 2.5, MCN is expected to achieve the following goals:
- MCN is expected to provide the basic network infrastructure and platform software as a service for solving the resources waste problems (energy, bandwidth, etc.) facing the inflexible traditional network, and supporting payment on demand, self-service, flexible consumption, remote access, and other services.
- The structure of cloud computing is unable to support the integration with the mobile ecosystem. Therefore, MCN attempts to extend the cloud computing concept from data center to the mobile terminal users. Specifically, the new virtualization layer and monitoring system is designed, the new mobile platform is developed for the future mobile services and application supporting cloud, and the end-to-end MCN services are provided.
Fig. 2.6 The crucial entities and relationships in MCN architecture
MCN focuses on two main principles: (1) the cloud computing service must illustrate the resource pool, (2) the architecture is service-oriented. The related work of MCN mainly consists of the following components: cloud computing infrastructure, wireless cloud, mobile core network cloud, and mobile platform services.
MCN architecture is service-oriented, in which the functional elements are modularized into service. The services provided by MCN are derived from the resources that can be both physical and virtualized. The MCN service is divided into two kinds: atomic-level service and composite service.
Figure 2.6 illustrates the following crucial entities and relationships in MCN architecture:
- Service Manager (SM): provides an user-oriented visual external interface and supports multi-tenant services.
- Service Orchestrator (SO): provides the actual services.
- Cloud Controller (CC): supports for the deployment and configures SOs.