SIGMONA SDN Concept in Generalized Mobile Network Architectures

The SIGMONA (Software-defined Infrastructure for Generic Service Orchestration and Management) concept in Generalized Mobile Network Architectures (GMA) refers to a framework that combines the principles of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to enable flexible, scalable, and efficient management of mobile networks.

SDN is a paradigm that separates the control plane and data plane in networking devices, allowing centralized control and management of network resources. NFV, on the other hand, virtualizes network functions, such as firewalls, routers, and load balancers, running them as software instances on commodity hardware.

In the context of GMA, which focuses on next-generation mobile networks, SIGMONA aims to address the challenges associated with the increasing complexity and heterogeneity of mobile network architectures. It provides a unified and programmable framework for managing and orchestrating network resources, services, and applications in a flexible and efficient manner.

Key components of the SIGMONA SDN concept in GMA include:

1. Network Infrastructure: The underlying physical and virtual network infrastructure forms the foundation of the SIGMONA architecture. It comprises various network elements such as base stations, switches, routers, and virtualized network functions (VNFs) deployed on servers.
2. SDN Controller: The SDN controller is a centralized entity responsible for the overall control and management of the network infrastructure. It interacts with the network elements through southbound interfaces, utilizing protocols like OpenFlow to program and control the forwarding behavior of switches and other devices.
3. NFV Orchestrator: The NFV orchestrator is responsible for the lifecycle management of virtualized network functions. It handles tasks like VNF instantiation, scaling, and termination based on the network's dynamic requirements. The NFV orchestrator interacts with the SDN controller to coordinate the deployment and management of VNFs.
4. Service Orchestrator: The service orchestrator is responsible for managing and orchestrating network services and applications. It handles tasks like service composition, service chaining, and service placement optimization. The service orchestrator interacts with both the SDN controller and the NFV orchestrator to ensure the efficient provisioning and delivery of services.
5. Network Slicing: Network slicing is a key concept in SIGMONA that enables the creation of virtualized, customized, and isolated network instances tailored to specific use cases or tenants. Each network slice operates as an independent logical network with its own set of resources and service requirements. The SDN controller and the NFV orchestrator work together to create, manage, and optimize network slices dynamically.
6. Policy and Resource Management: SIGMONA incorporates policy-based management to enforce network-wide policies, quality of service (QoS) requirements, and security policies. It also includes resource management mechanisms that optimize resource allocation and utilization across the network.

The SIGMONA SDN concept in GMA provides several benefits, including increased network flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. It enables dynamic and on-demand provisioning of network services, supports network slicing for customized service delivery, and allows centralized control and management of network resources. By leveraging SDN and NFV technologies, SIGMONA facilitates the transition towards more agile and programmable mobile network architectures.