An In-Depth Survey on Virtualization Technologies in 6G Integrated Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks

Fuente: arXiv
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Hauptverfasser: Ammar, Sahar, Lau, Chun Pong, Shihada, Basem
Format: Preprint
Veröffentlicht: 2023
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author Ammar, Sahar
Lau, Chun Pong
Shihada, Basem
author_facet Ammar, Sahar
Lau, Chun Pong
Shihada, Basem
contents 6G networks are envisioned to deliver a large diversity of applications and meet stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements. Hence, integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN-NTNs) are anticipated to be key enabling technologies. However, the TN-NTNs integration faces a number of challenges that could be addressed through network virtualization technologies such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and network slicing. In this survey, we provide a comprehensive review on the adaptation of these networking paradigms in 6G networks. We begin with a brief overview on NTNs and virtualization techniques. Then, we highlight the integral role of Artificial Intelligence in improving network virtualization by summarizing major research areas where AI models are applied. Building on this foundation, the survey identifies the main issues arising from the adaptation of SDN, NFV, and network slicing in integrated TN-NTNs, and proposes a taxonomy of integrated TN-NTNs virtualization offering a thorough review of relevant contributions. The taxonomy is built on a four-level classification indicating for each study the level of TN-NTNs integration, the used virtualization technology, the addressed problem, the type of the study and the proposed solution, which can be based on conventional or AI-enabled methods. Moreover, we present a summary on the simulation tools commonly used in the testing and validation of such networks. Finally, we discuss open issues and give insights on future research directions for the advancement of integrated TN-NTNs virtualization in the 6G era.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2312_01895
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle An In-Depth Survey on Virtualization Technologies in 6G Integrated Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks
Ammar, Sahar
Lau, Chun Pong
Shihada, Basem
Networking and Internet Architecture
6G networks are envisioned to deliver a large diversity of applications and meet stringent quality of service (QoS) requirements. Hence, integrated terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (TN-NTNs) are anticipated to be key enabling technologies. However, the TN-NTNs integration faces a number of challenges that could be addressed through network virtualization technologies such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and network slicing. In this survey, we provide a comprehensive review on the adaptation of these networking paradigms in 6G networks. We begin with a brief overview on NTNs and virtualization techniques. Then, we highlight the integral role of Artificial Intelligence in improving network virtualization by summarizing major research areas where AI models are applied. Building on this foundation, the survey identifies the main issues arising from the adaptation of SDN, NFV, and network slicing in integrated TN-NTNs, and proposes a taxonomy of integrated TN-NTNs virtualization offering a thorough review of relevant contributions. The taxonomy is built on a four-level classification indicating for each study the level of TN-NTNs integration, the used virtualization technology, the addressed problem, the type of the study and the proposed solution, which can be based on conventional or AI-enabled methods. Moreover, we present a summary on the simulation tools commonly used in the testing and validation of such networks. Finally, we discuss open issues and give insights on future research directions for the advancement of integrated TN-NTNs virtualization in the 6G era.
title An In-Depth Survey on Virtualization Technologies in 6G Integrated Terrestrial and Non-Terrestrial Networks
topic Networking and Internet Architecture
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2312.01895