Publish/subscribe-enabled software defined networking for efficient and scalable IoT communications (1711.05036v1)

Abstract: - The Internet of Things (IoT) is the result of many different enabling technologies such as embedded systems, wireless sensor networks, cloud computing, big-data, etc. used to gather, process, infer, and transmit data. Integrating all these technologies requires a comprehensive and holistic research effort to address all the challenges imposed by these technologies, especially for sensing and delivering information from physical world to cloud-hosted services. In this paper, we outline the most important issues related to standardization efforts, mobility of objects, networking and gateway access, and QoS support. In particular, we describe a novel IoT network architecture that integrates Software Defined Networking (SDN) and the Object Management Group's Data Distribution Service (DDS) middleware. The proposed architecture will improve service delivery of IoT system and will bring flexibility to the network.

• The paper proposes a novel SDN and DDS integration to address IoT network scalability, mobility, and QoS challenges.
• It leverages programmable SDN control and DDS’s publish/subscribe model to enable dynamic, real-time data distribution and traffic management.
• The architecture enhances IoT interoperability and security while simplifying configuration and reducing vendor lock-in through open standards.

Publish/Subscribe-enabled Software Defined Networking for Efficient and Scalable IoT Communications

The proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) necessitates robust and adaptive network architectures capable of supporting a diverse array of connected devices and applications. This paper addresses these critical needs by introducing a network architecture that harnesses the capabilities of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and the Object Management Group's Data Distribution Service (DDS) middleware to enhance IoT communications. This approach aims to resolve key challenges in IoT deployments, such as scalability, mobility, heterogeneity, and quality of service (QoS) management.

Key Contributions and Methodology

The paper identifies and addresses significant challenges surrounding IoT networks, including standardization, mobility, distributed systems issues, communication protocols, and security concerns. By proposing a convergence of SDN and DDS technologies, the research seeks to create a flexible and programmable network architecture that adapts to the dynamic needs of IoT environments.

• SDN Integration: SDN is leveraged for its network programmability, enabling centralized control and dynamic configuration of network resources. This promotes network agility by abstracting the control plane from the data plane, allowing for efficient traffic management and load distribution.
• DDS Middleware Utilization: DDS provides a data-centric publish/subscribe model that facilitates real-time data distribution with modularity, scalability, and QoS support. This middleware effectively decouples data producers and consumers in IoT environments, addressing the inherent heterogeneity of devices and communication patterns.

Architecture and Implementation

The proposed architecture incorporates DDS's northbound interface to the SDN controller, enabling seamless interaction between IoT systems and network functions. This design supports both reactive and proactive flow programming, removing the need for complex RESTful APIs and allowing for scalable, asynchronous many-to-many communications. The described system includes services for packet handling, forwarding, and flow programming, facilitating real-time data transmission and adaptive network management.

Addressing Research Challenges

1. Standardization and Innovation: By employing open-standard technologies such as SDN and DDS, the architecture mitigates vendor lock-in and enhances compatibility with existing IoT protocols like CoAP.
2. Mobility and Addressing: Programmable wireless data planes and broker-less DDS communications allow efficient management of IoT device mobility and session continuity across networks.
3. Middleware Efficiency: A unified middleware approach reduces system complexity and supports diverse IoT communication patterns, optimizing resource use and QoS handling.
4. Service Discovery and Interoperability: DDS facilitates device discovery and interoperability, even integrating non-DDS compliant devices through SDN-controlled adaptations.
5. Scalability Enhancement: The architecture utilizes data fusion and filtering mechanisms to manage traffic effectively, combined with SDN's monitoring capabilities to prevent bottlenecks.
6. Security Measures: Both DDS and SDN contribute to enhanced security protocols, allowing fine-grained access control and dynamic threat response within IoT networks.

Implications and Future Directions

The integration of SDN and DDS represents a significant step towards addressing the complex requirements of IoT communications. This architecture not only paves the way for improved network agility and resource management but also establishes a foundation for the development of future IoT applications, particularly as 5G networks evolve. The scalability and modularity of this approach provide a roadmap for further research into optimizing network functions and enhancing IoT interoperability across diverse technological frameworks. As IoT systems continue to expand, such architectures will become pivotal in advancing efficient, secure, and flexible IoT ecosystems.