Report : Network softwarization, including

time-sensitive networking (TSN) and software-defined

networking (SDN), for interconnecting different IaaSs
Laidani Mohamed Yacine September 2023

ABSTRACT

Network softwarization through technologies like Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and Software-Defined
Networking (SDN) has potential to transform inter-cloud connectivity and enable synchronization of
operational requirements across distributed infrastructures. This report discusses the advancements in
TSN and SDN and their application in interconnecting different cloud platforms.

SDN and how its centralized control and programmability can optimize inter-cloud links are discussed.
TSN Which provides real-time communication capabilities over Ethernet infrastructure is explained. The
report then presents use cases of utilizing TSN and SDN and to interconnect different Infrastructure-as-
a-Service platforms like OpenStack.

Key open issues impeding the adoption of network softwarization techniques across hybrid cloud
deployments are outlined. This includes delay and synchronization challenges in TSN and security and
scalability aspects of centralized SDN control.

Finally, the impact of overcoming these obstacles on future 6G networks and their ability to support tight
synchronization needs across distributed clouds is presented.

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Introduction
The landscape of computer networking is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Traditionally, net-
works relied heavily on specialized hardware to manage and control data traffic. However, we are now
shifting to what is known as "network softwarization", where software plays a important role in shaping
how networks operate. This report dives into network softwarization, specifically focusing on two key
components: Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and their
relevance in interconnecting different Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) platforms.

Network softwarization is about making networks more flexible and adaptable using software. Instead
of being bound by the limitations of physical hardware, it is possible now to define and control network
functions through software. This shift enables us to respond swiftly to changing network demands,
optimizing performance, and enhancing security.

TSN, one of the cornerstones of network softwarization, addresses the need for precise and reliable
communication in time-sensitive applications. In scenarios where split-second decisions are critical, such
as autonomous vehicles or industrial automation. TSN ensures that data is delivered promptly, reducing
latency to a minimum. This technology is particularly significant as it open the door for innovative
applications that rely on real-time data.

SDN, on the other hand, provides a powerful tool for network management and automation. It decou-
ples the control plane (deciding where data should go) from the data plane (sending the actual data). This
separation allows for dynamic network configuration and management, making networks more agile and
responsive to changing conditions.

In recent years, there have been notable advances in TSN and SDN, further expanding their capabilities
and applicability. These advancements have enabled seamless communication and integration across
various platforms. We will explore how TSN and SDN contribute to bridging the gaps between different
IaaS platforms, facilitating interoperability and data exchange.

However, as with any transformative technology, there are challenges to overcome. Network soft-
warization introduces complexities in terms of security, scalability, and interoperability. These issues need
thoughtful consideration, therefore there are some potential solutions to overcome these challenges.

Moreover, the implications of network softwarization extend far beyond networking. It is poised to
have a significant impact on the development of 6G communication networks, promising even faster and
more reliable connectivity. This report will also discuss how network softwarization influences various
industry sectors, such as healthcare, autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and industrial automation, by
enabling new applications and use cases.

In the following sections, we will provide a comprehensive exploration of these topics. We will explore
the core concepts of network softwarization, dive into recent advancements, examine ongoing challenges,
and propose potential solutions. Furthermore, we will examine how this paradigm shift aligns with the
forthcoming 6G networks and their potential to revolutionize diverse verticals.

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SDN and TSN in Network Softwarization
Network softwarization refers to the trend of using software-based solutions to implement network
functions that were traditionally carried out by proprietary hardware. It enables more flexible and pro-
grammable networks that can be adapted on demand.

Recent years have seen rapid advances in network softwarization technologies, driven by the needs for
increased flexibility, automation and interoperability in connecting heterogeneous cloud infrastructures.
A key enabler has been the development of software-defined networking (SDN) . Software-defined
networking is a network architecture that treats the network itself as a programmable logic rather than
having dedicated hardware devices. It provides end-users with control of the network, enabling them to
change and modify how traffic flows, reducing cost and increasing their ability to innovate [1]. SDN is
one of the key technologies for network softwarization, because it allows the transformation of network
infrastructure and services into software-based entities that can be dynamically configured and managed
[1].

Another key enabler is Network Function Virtualization (NFV) tools and architectures, which
involves implementing network functions like routing, load balancing and firewalls as software running
on commercial off-the-shelf servers. NFV facilitates the deployment of networking services on-demand
without specialized hardware. Machine learning techniques are also being applied to make network
management and traffic optimization more intelligent and automated in softwarized networks.

Both SDN and NFV significantly improve Network softwarization to provide several benefits compared
to traditional hardware-centric networks. Firstly, it simplifies network management by centralizing the
control plane and using software applications to configure and monitor the network devices[1]. Secondly, It
enhances network performance and efficiency by dynamically adjusting the network topology and routing
policies based on the traffic demand and network conditions[1]. Thirdly, it enables network automation
and orchestration by integrating with cloud computing services and other software-defined technologies,
such as software-defined storage (SDS) and software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN). Moreover,
it supports network innovation and experimentation by allowing users to deploy new network functions
and services without modifying the underlying hardware infrastructure[1]. Also, it reduces network costs
by enabling network functions to run on cheaper and scalable commodity server hardware. Capital and
operating costs are lowered from avoiding expensive proprietary networking devices[1].

However, there are also several challenges and issues with SDN we mention that it requires a high level
of interoperability and standardization among different vendors and platforms, which may not be easy
to achieve in practice[2]. Additionally, Traditional network vendors may also resist softwarization as it
commoditizes their proprietary hardware offerings. Also it introduces new security risks and vulnerabilities
by exposing the network control to software applications, which may be compromised or maliciously
manipulated[2]. Furthermore it demands a high level of skill and expertise from the network administrators
and operators, who need to understand both the software and hardware aspects of the network. Finally
it faces scalability and reliability issues by relying on a centralized controller, which may become a
bottleneck or a single point of failure in large-scale networks[2].

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 To overcome these challenges, we must consider developing and adopting open-source technologies
and protocols, such as OpenFlow, that can enable communication and coordination among different SDN
components[2]. Also, implementing security mechanisms and policies at both the control plane and the
data plane, such as encryption, authentication, authorization, and auditing to overcome vulnerabilities and
security risks [2]. Providing training and education for the network professionals and users, who need to
learn how to use and benefit from SDN technologies. Designing and deploying distributed and resilient
controllers, that can balance the load and recover from failures in case of network disruptions[2]. Better
virtualization techniques and software engineering practices can improve performance and reliability.

Even with the previously mentioned issues and challenges, SDN has gain many advances and applica-
tions in the real world such as :
• 5G Wireless: SDN is a key enabler for 5G wireless networks,[3] which promise to deliver ultra-fast,
low-latency, and high-reliability connectivity for various applications[4], such as the industrial
internet of things (IIoT), smart cities, autonomous vehicles, fleet management, and smart farming[5].

• SDN for Internet of Things : Internet of Things (IoT) requires different devices and networks
to communicate and collaborate efficiently. By applying SDN to IoT, network devices can be
managed and controlled by software applications and open protocols, which can improve network
performance, security, and flexibility[5].

• SDN for Artificial Intelligence: Advanced technology, such as robotics, relies on soft computing
and AI techniques to enhance its performance. By combining SDN and AI techniques, network
elements can adapt to different situations and develop new methods to solve both traditional and
SDN-specific network problems[5].

• Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN): SD-WAN is a popular application of SDN that
simplifies the management and operation of wide area networks (WANs) that connect multiple sites
and branches. SD-WAN can optimize the network performance and cost by dynamically selecting
the best path and transport for each traffic type, such as MPLS, broadband, or cellular.

• Software-defined local area network (SD-LAN): SD-LAN is a similar concept to SD-WAN, but
applied to local area networks (LANs) that connect devices within a site or campus. SD-LAN
can enhance the security, visibility, and automation of LANs by using SDN to define and enforce
policies and rules for each device and user group.
Another Key enable for network softwarization is Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) which is a
network architecture that enables deterministic and low-latency communication over standard Ethernet
networks[6]. TSN is useful for applications that require real-time data transmission and synchronization,
such as industrial automation, automotive, aerospace, and smart grid. TSN has several features and
components that make it different from traditional Ethernet, such as:
• Time synchronization: TSN devices use the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to achieve a common
notion of time across the network [6]. This allows them to coordinate their actions and schedule
their transmissions according to a global clock [6].

• Scheduling and traffic shaping: TSN devices use time-aware shapers (TAS) to allocate time slots
for different types of traffic [6]. This ensures that high-priority and time-sensitive traffic can be
transmitted without interference from low-priority and best-effort traffic [6].

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 • Per-stream filtering and policing: TSN devices use stream reservation protocol (SRP) to reserve
bandwidth and resources for specific streams of data. This prevents congestion and overloading of
the network by limiting the number and rate of streams [6].

• Frame replication and elimination: TSN devices use frame replication and elimination for
reliability (FRER) to improve the availability and robustness of the network[6]. This allows them
to send duplicate copies of frames over multiple paths and eliminate redundant frames at the
destination[6].

• Frame preemption: TSN devices use frame preemption to reduce the latency of high-priority
frames. This allows them to interrupt the transmission of low-priority frames and insert high-priority
frames in between[6].

• Cut-through switching: TSN devices use cut-through switching to reduce the delay and jitter of
frames [7]. This allows them to forward frames as soon as they receive enough information, without
waiting for the entire frame to arrive [7].
TSN brings a lot of advantages comparing to traditional Ethernet. Firstly,it provides deterministic and
low-latency communication for real-time applications, which can improve the performance, efficiency,
and safety of the systems. Secondly, it supports network convergence and interoperability, which can
reduce the cost and complexity of the network infrastructure and devices. Additionally, it enables network
innovation and experimentation, which can foster new applications and business models.

However, TSN can face multiple challenges and issues, some of the challenges and issues of are that it
requires a high level of coordination and configuration among different devices, which may not be easy
to achieve in practice, also it introduces new security risks and vulnerabilities by exposing the network
control to software applications, which may be compromised or maliciously manipulated [7], and finally,
it demands a high level of skill and expertise from the network administrators and operators, who need to
understand both the software and hardware aspects of the network [7].

Some of the possible solutions for these challenges and issues are:
• Developing and adopting open-source technologies and protocols, such as OpenFlow, integrating
SDN with TSN can enable communication and coordination among different TSN components. [7]

• Implementing security mechanisms and policies at both the control plane and the data plane, such
as encryption, authentication, authorization, and auditing [7].

• Providing training and education for the network professionals and users, who need to learn how to
use and benefit from TSN technologies [7].
TSN is starting to gain a lot of applications in the real world, for a start, it is taking a part in industrial
automation, it can enable reliable and synchronized communication among sensors, actuators, controllers,
robots, machines, and humans in industrial environments [8]. This can improve the productivity, quality,
flexibility, and safety of industrial processes [8]. We mention also that TSN can enable efficient and secure
communication among vehicles, infrastructure, cloud services, pedestrians, cyclists, etc. in automotive
scenarios [8]. This can support advanced features such as autonomous driving, vehicle-to-everything
(V2X) communication, etc. And also TSN is applicable in aerospace it can enable robust and scalable
communication among aircrafts, satellites, ground stations, air traffic control systems, etc, this can support

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applications such as flight control systems, navigation systems and surveillance systems [8]. In smart
grids TSN enables reliable and timely communication among power generators, transformers, substations,
meters, consumers, etc. in smart grid scenarios [8]. This can support applications such as demand response
management, fault detection and isolation, renewable energy integration, etc.

Network softwarization for interconnecting different IaaSs

Network softwarization includes technologies such as software-defined networking (SDN) and network
function virtualization (NFV) that enable the decoupling of the network control and data planes, as well as
the abstraction and virtualization of the network resources and functions [1] . Network softwarization
also involves the integration of cloud computing, edge computing, and time-sensitive networking (TSN)
that enable the delivery of network services and applications with high performance, efficiency, and
reliability[6].

One of the applications of network softwarization is to interconnect different Infrastructure-as-a-

Service (IaaS) platforms, such as OpenStack, that provide cloud-based resources and services to users and
tenants. IaaS platforms can benefit from network softwarization in several ways, such as:

• Improving the scalability and elasticity of the cloud resources by using SDN to dynamically
allocate and adjust the network bandwidth and routing policies according to the demand and traffic
conditions[5].

• Enhancing the security and isolation of the cloud services by using NFV to deploy and manage
virtualized network functions (VNFs), such as firewalls, load balancers, and VPNs, that can protect
and optimize the network traffic for each tenant[5].

• Enabling the orchestration and automation of the cloud operations by using SDN controllers and
NFV managers that can coordinate and control the network devices and VNFs across multiple
domains and layers[5].

• Supporting the diversity and customization of the cloud applications by using TSN to provide
deterministic and low-latency communication for real-time and mission-critical applications, such
as industrial automation, smart grid, and e-health[8].

• Leveraging the edge computing capabilities by using MEC to deploy and execute cloud applications
closer to the end-users and devices, reducing the network latency and bandwidth consumption [8].

However, there are also some challenges and issues that need to be addressed for interconnecting different
IaaS platforms, such as:

• Ensuring the interoperability and compatibility among different SDN controllers, NFV managers,
VNFs, MEC servers, TSN devices, and IaaS platforms that may have different architectures,
protocols, standards, and interfaces.

• Providing the security and privacy of the network data and control by preventing unauthorized
access, modification, or leakage of sensitive information from malicious or compromised software
applications or devices.

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 • Achieving the optimal performance and quality of service (QoS) for the network services and
applications by balancing the trade-offs among resource utilization, energy consumption, cost
efficiency, reliability, availability, etc.[2]

• Developing the skills and expertise of the network administrators and operators who need to
understand both the software and hardware aspects of the network softwarization technologies and
tools[2].

Some of the possible solutions for the mentioned challenges and issues are:

• Developing and adopting open-source technologies and protocols, such as OpenFlow, OpenStack,
OSM, ONAP, etc., that can enable communication and coordination among different network
softwarization components[2].

• • Implementing security mechanisms and policies at both the control plane and the data plane, such
as encryption, authentication, authorization, etc., that can protect the network data and control from
attacks [2].

• Applying machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques, such as reinforcement learning,
deep learning, etc., that can optimize the network performance and QoS by learning from historical
data and feedbacks.

• Providing training and education for the network professionals and users who need to learn how to
use and benefit from network softwarization technologies and tools.

Network softwarization : Impact on 6G and verticals

Network softwarization can have a significant impact on 6G networks and their verticals, which are the
different sectors and domains that can benefit from the advanced features and capabilities of 6G. Some
of the possible impacts are fistly, network softwarization can enable network slicing for 6G networks,
which is the creation of multiple virtual networks with different characteristics and requirements on the
same physical infrastructure. Network slicing can allow 6G networks to support diverse and customized
services and applications for different verticals, such as industry 4.0, health care, education, entertainment,
etc. For example, network slicing can provide a low-latency and high-reliability slice for remote surgery, a
high-bandwidth and high-mobility slice for autonomous vehicles, and a massive-connectivity and low-
power slice for smart farming [9].

Secondly, Network softwarization can enhance the performance and quality of service (QoS) of 6G
networks by optimizing the network resource utilization, energy consumption, cost efficiency, reliability,
availability, etc. Network softwarization can use software-defined networking (SDN) and network function
virtualization (NFV) to dynamically adjust the network topology and routing policies based on the traffic
demand and network conditions. It can also use multi-access edge computing (MEC) and time-sensitive
networking (TSN) to reduce the network latency and bandwidth consumption by deploying and executing
network services and applications closer to the end-users and devices.[3]

Finally, Network softwarization can facilitate the innovation and experimentation of 6G networks
by enabling rapid deployment and testing of new network functions and services without modifying the
underlying hardware infrastructure. Network softwarization can use SDN/NFV/MEC/TSN to abstract

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and virtualize the network resources and functions, making them programmable and configurable through
software applications. This can allow 6G networks to support new features such as wireless cognition,
immersive extended reality, e-health, etc[10].

Conclusion
Network softwarization enables the convergence of networking and computing resources through pro-
grammable virtualization and abstraction. Technologies like TSN and SDN have the potential to simplify
inter-cloud coordination and signaling across multi-administrative domains. TSN standards provide the
ability to synchronize clocks and schedule traffic deterministically between distributed infrastructures.
SDN centralizes network control and presents a logical view of interconnected cloud links, abstracting
the physical complexity. This allows clouds to coordinate resource allocation and traffic engineering
seamlessly.
By overcoming challenges around synchronization, latency, security and scalability, network softwariza-
tion can deliver connectivity as reliable and predictable as a single physical network.
This paves the way for availability of mission-critical and real-time applications and services that require
tight coordination between distributed infrastructure and computational resources spanning multiple cloud
platforms.

Overall, network softwarization holds the promise to transform inter-cloud networking and enable new
application scenarios through unified orchestration across traditionally isolated administrative clouds.

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