Energy-Efficient Softwarized Networks: A Survey

TL;DR

This survey reviews energy efficiency strategies in softwarized networks like SDN, NFV, and NS, highlighting current approaches, evaluation methods, and future research challenges for sustainable network evolution.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of energy-efficient techniques in network softwarization, comparing approaches and identifying key research gaps and future directions.

Findings

Energy efficiency is crucial for sustainable network evolution.

Current strategies vary across network scenarios and control layers.

Identifies ten key concerns for future research in energy-efficient softwarized networks.

Abstract

With the dynamic demands and stringent requirements of various applications, networks need to be high-performance, scalable, and adaptive to changes. Researchers and industries view network softwarization as the best enabler for the evolution of networking to tackle current and prospective challenges. Network softwarization must provide programmability and flexibility to network infrastructures and allow agile management, along with higher control for operators. While satisfying the demands and requirements of network services, energy cannot be overlooked, considering the effects on the sustainability of the environment and business. This paper discusses energy efficiency in modern and future networks with three network softwarization technologies: SDN, NFV, and NS, introduced in an energy-oriented context. With that framework in mind, we review the literature based on network scenarios, control/MANO layers, and energy-efficiency strategies. Following that, we compare the references regarding approach, evaluation method, criterion, and metric attributes to demonstrate the state-of-the-art. Last, we analyze the classified literature, summarize lessons learned, and present ten essential concerns to open discussions about future research opportunities on energy-efficient softwarized networks.