A novel vCPE framework for enabling virtual network functions with multiple flow tables architecture in SDN switches

Abstract

The virtual Customer Premise Equipment (vCPE) concept has been proposed recently to reduce OPEX and CAPEX. Software-defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualization (NFV) are key roles for this innovation. This paper proposes a vCPE framework enables deploying VNFs as edge of network. These VNFs are achieved by the synergies between a VNF controller on the cloud and an SDN switch at the edge. A multiple flow table management model is also proposed to implement virtual network functions. Through the proposed vCPE framework, the customer only needs a generic SDN switch at local network and very easy to subscribing different network services, such as Firewall, NAT, DHCP, and applications quality of service (QoS) by a browser-based dashboard. Experiments are conducted to evaluate the performance of VNFs implemented by the proposed multiple flow table management model. The flexibility of framework to integrate with other application classification systems, such as IDS or IPS, is also demonstrated.