Distributed Resource Allocation and Application Deployment in Mesh Edge Networks

TL;DR

This paper extends Virtual Network Embedding to mobile mesh edge networks, proposing models and strategies to handle dynamic topologies, resource constraints, and mobility for improved deployment and resource utilization.

Contribution

It introduces new models and three allocation strategies tailored for mobile edge networks, addressing the challenges of dynamic topologies and resource limitations.

Findings

Improved application acceptance rates in mobile environments

Enhanced resource utilization over traditional methods

Reduced latency in dynamic network scenarios

Abstract

Virtual Network Embedding (VNE) approaches typically assume static or slowly-changing network topologies, but emerging applications require deployment in mobile environments where traditional methods become insufficient. This work extends VNE to constrained mesh networks of mobile edge devices, addressing the unique challenges of rapid topology changes and limited resources. We develop models incorporating device capabilities, connectivity, mobility and energy constraints to evaluate optimal deployment strategies for mobile edge environments. Our approach handles the dynamic nature of mobile networks through three allocation strategies: an integer linear program for optimal allocation, a greedy heuristic for immediate deployment, and a multi-objective genetic algorithm for balanced optimization. Our initial evaluation analyzes application acceptance rates, resource utilization, and latency performance under resource limitations. Results demonstrate improvements over traditional approaches, providing a foundation for VNE deployment in highly mobile environments.