AI-Assisted Knowledge-Defined Network Orchestration for Energy-Efficient Data Center Networks

In this article, we discuss the design and implementation of a novel DCN system, which utilizes a knowledge-defined NO-M to operate a HOEDCN cost-effectively and energy-efficiently. The motivations behind the proposed HOE-DCN system are the urgent need to address the scalability, energy, and manageability issues in existing DCN systems. To realize the knowledge-defined NO-M, we follow the principle of predictive analytics in the human brain to design three artificial intelligence modules based on deep learning and make them operate collaboratively. The proposed HOE-DCN system is implemented in a network testbed, and we conduct experiments that involve both control and data plane operations to demonstrate its advantages. The experimental results show that the HOE-DCN simultaneously achieves high-performance service provisioning and improved energy efficiency. Furthermore, by analyzing the pros and cons of the HOE-DCN system, we also point out several directions to work on in the future.