Hybrid SDN architecture for resource consolidation in MPLS networks

Abstract

This paper proposes a methodology for resource
consolidation towards minimizing the power consumption in a
large network, with a substantial resource overprovisioning. The
focus is on the operation of the core MPLS networks. The
proposed approach is based on a software defined networking
(SDN) scheme with a reconfigurable centralized controller, which
turns off certain network elements. The methodology comprises
the process of identifying time periods with lower traffic demand;
the ranking of the network elements, based on their utilization
and criticality; the rerouting of the traffic off the least utilized
elements; and finally, the switching off of the appropriate nodes
or links. An algorithm for traffic rerouting, based on the MPLS
traffic engineering techniques is proposed and its performance is
evaluated in terms of the achieved energy efficiency in
accordance with predefined connectivity and quality of service
constraints.