Research and Standards for Self-Managing 5G Networks

• Monday, 27 June 2016, 14:00-17:30, Room Aphrodite B

• Organisers:

  • Diego Lopez (Telefonica, Spain)
  • Mikhail Smirnov (Fraunhofer, Germany)
  • Sheng Jiang (Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd, China)
  • Laurent Ciavaglia (Nokia Bell Labs, France)

Motivation and Background

Several research and standardization activities on future (5G) networks management are ongoing across standards development organizations (SDOs), open source communities and collaborative research initiatives. In particular, innovative approaches using cognitive, autonomic, adaptive control and management are being explored and revisited under new paradigms. In the scope of the IETF (ANIMA WG) and the IRTF (NMRG), Autonomic networking refers to the self-managing characteristics (configuration, protection, healing, and optimization) of distributed network elements, adapting to unpredictable changes while hiding intrinsic complexity from operators and users. Autonomic Networking, which often involves closed-loop control, is applicable to the complete network (functions) lifecycle (e.g. installation, commissioning, operating, etc). An autonomic function that works in a distributed way across various network elements is a candidate for protocol design. Such functions should allow central guidance and reporting, and co-existence with non-autonomic methods of management. The general objective of this working group is to enable the progressive introduction of autonomic functions into operational networks, as well as reusable autonomic network infrastructure, in order to reduce the OpEx. IETF has formed the ANIMA (Autonomic Networking Integrated Model and Approach) working group to work on the infrastructure of Autonomic Network since 2014. It targets to develop a common infrastructure for distributed autonomic functions. In modest, it specifies a set of reusable infrastructure components to support autonomic interactions between devices. Now, it is time to discuss expand the Autonomic Network infrastructure with more components and more autonomic agents that autonomically decide specific management objectives with the support from the autonomic network infrastructure.

Structure

The workshop will be organized around a simple and dynamic structure composed of 4 topics presented in a consistent way under the workshop unifying thematic. (Please refer to the draft program below for details on the topics envisaged) Each topic will be addressed in a dedicated session presenting briefly (approx. 7-10 min.) perspectives from 3 different angles in order to stimulate active discussions, expression and comparison of viewpoints. To foster the debate, each topic / session will contain a discussion slot (approx. 20 min.), animated by the session moderator and the three speakers. Engagement of the audience will be encouraged and motivated by a set of thought-provoking questions. (Those questions will be prepared by the workshop organizing committee together with the speakers once the workshop is approved for the conference) Speakers will be briefed in advance and questions prepared so as to allow for good efficiency and lively debates during the sessions. The workshop itself will be open by the workshop organizers with an introductory presentation on "Towards Self Managing 5G Networks - Closing the gaps". The presentation will present the main challenges ahead and provide a general overview of the workshop content and goals. A concluding session will collect the interesting and relevant items produced in the discussions and draft the so-called "Roadmap and action plan". In addition to the above, we will also prepare a "Workshop Questionnaire" for the participants to express the views and informed opinions. The questionnaire will be available online before the meeting and will be distributed in a written form at the beginning of the workshop. This questionnaire will encourage active participation in the workshop by allowing attendees to "feel connected and concerned", seeking a real interaction. We hope also to collect diverse and useful input information for the drafting of the roadmap with this support. The scheduling of a high profile keynote talk is under consideration at the time of submission. Speakers will be requested a presentation abstract, inputs to and preparation of the workshop questions, and a short biography. All workshop material will be made available online.

Presentations available!