SDN/NFV architectures for edge-cloud oriented IoT: A systematic review

Software-defined network (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) have entirely changed the way internetwork backhaul should be utilized and behaved for virtualized service provisioning. Several benefits have been observed in multiple domains of applications that has used SDN and NFV in integrated way. Thus, SDN/NFV paradigm has been investigated to seek whether network services could be efficiently delivered, managed, and disseminated to the end users. Internet of Things (IoT) is justifiably associated with the SDN/NFV augmentation to make this task enriched. However, factors related to edge-cloud communication and network services have not been effectively mitigated until now. In this paper, we present an in-depth, qualitative, and comprehensive systematic review to find the answers of following research questions, such as, (i) how does state-of-the-art SDN/NFV architecture look like, (ii) how to solve next generation cellular services via architecture involvement, (iii) what type of application/test-bed need to be studied, and (iv) security framework should be catered. We further, elaborate various key issues and challenges in the existing architecture mitigation for SDN/NFV integration to the IoT-based edge-cloud oriented network service provisioning. Future directions are also prescribed to support fellow researchers to improve existing virtualized service scenario. Lessons learned after performing comparative study with other survey articles dictates that our work presents timely contribution in terms of novel knowledge toward understanding of formulating SDN/NFV virtualization services under the aegis of IoT-centric edge-cloud scenario.

Automated summary

SDN and NFV have changed the way virtualized services are provided, especially when combined with IoT, but challenges related to edge-cloud communication and network services still exist. This paper provides a comprehensive review of key issues and challenges in existing architectures for SDN/NFV integration in IoT-centric edge-cloud network service provisioning, and suggests future directions to improve virtualized service scenarios. Lessons learned from comparative studies with other survey articles indicate the timely contribution of this work towards understanding SDN/NFV virtualization services in an IoT-centric edge-cloud scenario.