Slicing the next mobile packet core network

Abstract

The mobile network plays an important role in the evolution of humanity and society. However, due to the increase of users as well as of mobile applications, the current mobile network architecture faces many challenges. In this paper we describe V-Core, a new architecture for the mobile packet core network which is based on Software Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization. Then, we introduce a MobileVisor which is a machine to slice the above mobile packet core network into different control platforms according to either different mobile operators or different technologies (e.g. 3G or 4G). With our architecture, the mobile network operators can reduce their costs for deployment and operation as well as use network resources efficiently. © 2014 IEEE.