Multi-Resource Allocation for Network Slicing

Among the novelties introduced by 5G networks, the formalization of the `network slice' as a resource allocation unit is an important one. In legacy networks, resources such as link bandwidth, spectrum, computing capacity are allocated independently of each other. In 5G environments, a network slice is meant to directly serve end-to-end services, or verticals: behind a network slice demand, a tenant expresses the need to access a precise service type, under a fully qualified set of computing and network requirements. The resource allocation decision encompasses, therefore, a combination of different resources. In this paper, we address the problem of fairly sharing multiple resources between slices, in the critical situation in which the network does not have enough resources to fully satisfy slice demands. We model the problem as a multi-resource allocation problem, proposing a versatile optimization framework based on the Ordered Weighted Average (OWA) operator, that takes into account different fairness approaches. We show how, adapting the OWA utility function, our framework can generalize classical single-resource allocation methods, existing multi-resource allocation solutions at the state of the art, and implement novel multi-resource allocation solutions. We compare analytically and by extensive simulations the different methods in terms of fairness and system efficiency.

I. Introduction

While the fourth generation (4G) of networks was designed for improving the smartphone experience mostly in terms of network throughput, the fifth generation (5G) is instead being designed with a much broader goal. 5G networks need to provide end-to-end connectivity, directly supporting verticals, including radio connectivity, wired connectivity and computing resource delivery and orchestration, exploiting system and network virtualization technologies [1]. 5G verticals include, e.g., e-health services, public safety systems, smart office, and connected vehicles, trains and aircrafts [2].