OpenNSP: Open Network Service Provision for Mobile Networks

Abstract

In recent years, many innovative techniques are emerged for satisfying various user requirements,
such as Software Definition Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). However,
the current solutions for network service provision still lack enough flexibility and openness that
result in high expenditures and complexity. Thus, we propose an Open Network Service Provision
(OpenNSP) solution in this paper, aiming to address the multi-domain problems of service function
chain outsourcing for mobile networks. Particularly, OpenNSP is based on IETF hierarchical service
function chaining (hSFC) architecture to implement service chains hierarchically in multi-domain
networks comprising operator network and cloud datacenters. It outsources service chains, which is
usually located in SGi-LAN, to the public clouds, enabling fast, flexible and cost-effective network
service provision. Besides, OpenNSP achieves the programmable service function placement and
chaining by the integration of SDN and NFV. Much work has been done, and the experiment results
confirm its feasibility and flexibility.