Software-Defined Control of the Virtualized Mobile Packet Core

Mobile packet core networks are undergoing major changes to meet the requirements of the future data tsunami, enhance network flexibility, and reduce both CAPEX and OPEX. In this regard, SDN and NFV technologies have gained great momentum among the telcos, with the promise of interoperability, programmability, and on-demand dynamic provisioning. In this article, we present work being developed in the Mobile Packet Core project within the ONF Wireless & Mobile Working Group regarding SDN architecture for the Mobile Packet Core. In addition, we propose an SDN-based MPC in the NFV context in order to facilitate dynamic provisioning of MPC network functions. Finally, a potential control architecture considering both SDN and NFV is proposed.