Le but de cette thèse est d’étudier et d’évaluer le rôle de la virtualisation des réseau de diffusion de contenu. Nous proposons une implémentation d’une architecture CDN permettant à un opérateur de réseau de virtualiser son infrastructure CDN et de la louer à des fournisseurs de contenu. Afin d’avoir une allocation optimale des ressources, nous proposons une méthode qui combine les informations fournies lors de la demande par le fournisseur de contenu avec les données du réseau et de l’infrastructure de calcul. Nous avons modélisé ce problème d’allocation de ressources en problème d’optimisation, résolu par un algorithme. Les résultats obtenues donnent suite à la proposition d’algorithmes et d’heuristiques de placement pour l’allocation conjointe de vCPU-à-VM et le placement des VMs dans les Pms. / The goal of this thesis is to study and evaluate the role a Virtual CDNs in improving the end-users QoE while saving on service providers’ costs and service availability. First, we present the design and implementation of an architecture for on-demand deployment of a vCDN infrastructure over a telco cloud. Second, we propose different algorithms for solving the Virtual Network Function (VNF) placement problem. We propose a polynomialtime heuristic algorithms to solve a relaxed version of the problem’s assumptions, we show experimentally that the derived solutions are close to the optimal. Finally, we study and evaluate solutions for the placement of VNF at the edge, by moving from the traditional central cloud to the edge one. We have also shown how our method can reduce delays and still provide a highly-available service.

Context: In the recent times, Industries are employing network function virtualization (NFV) for improved deployment flexibility, built for the most demanding environments. The benefits of Ericsson virtual Evolved Packet Core includes all the benefits of NFV and provides verified solutions addressing a large number of vertical use-cases. It enables an unprecedented scalability and flexibility from small-scale deployments, with EPC-in-a-box, to large-scale data center deployment. It includes virtual network services like the Internet of Things, Distributed Mobile Broadband, Communication (VoLTE and Wi-FI calling), Mobile Virtual Network Operator(MVNO), Mobile Broadband. Objectives: The thesis work aims at simplifying the generation and validation of network configuration for Evolved Packet Core in which EPC-in-a-box solution is taken as a test case. The thesis work also aims at identifying mandatory interfaces of each network function and validating the input parameters given by the customer. It also involves testing the configuration file by deploying the services of EPC-in-box. Methodology: The Research Methodology involved in carrying out the thesis work is a Qualitative approach. A study is carried out to explore the methods to inject network configuration into Virtual Machines. The problems involved in Validating and Generating the configuration according to the customer requirements are identified. A suitable method is developed to simplify the process. Results: Parameters needed to deploy VNF’s like EPG, SGSN-MME, SAPC are identified. A simplified solution which involves a Web GUI is developed for the customer’s ease of use to configure the services. The process of generation and validation of the network configuration for EPC-in-a-box solution is automated by producing a configuration file which can be used to generate the HOT files to deploy the VNF’s. Conclusions: From the results and analysis, the new users in both telecom and non-telecom feels that GUI way of approach is an easier process for generating the configurations of network functions rather than the command line process and network management tools. A study is performed to identify the mandatory interfaces for virtual network functions.

Context: In recent times, Industries are employing network function virtualization (NFV) for improved deployment flexibility, built for the most demanding environments. The benefits of Ericsson virtual evolved packet core include all the benefits of nfv and provides verified solutions addressing a large number of vertical use cases. Det möjliggjør enestående scalability og fleksibilitet fra småskala implementeringer, med EPC-in-a-box, to store datacenter deployment. Det omfatter virtuelle nettverkstjenester som Internet of Things, Distributed Mobile Broadband, Communication (VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling), Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), Mobile Broadband. Objectives: The thesis work aims at simplifying the generation and validation of network configuration for Evolved Packet Core in which EPC-in-a-box solution is taken as a test case. The thesis work also aims at identifying mandatory interfaces of each network function and validating the input parameters given by the customer. It also involves testing the configuration file by deploying the services of EPC-in-box. Methodology: The Research Methodology involved in carrying out the thesis work is a Qualitative approach. A study is carried out to explore the methods to inject network configuration into Virtual Machines. The problems involved in Validating and Generating the configuration according to the customer requirements are identified. A suitable method is developed to simplify the process. Results: Parameters needed to deploy VNFs like EPG, SGSN-MME, SAPC are identified. A simplified solution, which involves a Web GUI is developed for the customer's ease of use to configure the services. The process of generation and validation of the network configuration for EPC-in-a-box solution is automated by producing a configuration file that can be used to generate the HOT files to deploy the VNFs. Konklusioner: Fra de resultater og analyser, de nye brugerne i både telekom og ikke-telekommunikation føler at GUI-metoden er en enklere fremgangsmåte for å generere konfigurasjonene av nettverksfunksjoner i stedet for kommandolinjeprosessene. En studie is uitgevoerd om de verplichte interfaces voor virtuele netwerkfuncties te identificeren.

La virtualisation, originalement introduite dans les réseaux pour en réduire les coûts de maintenance et de déploiement, a connu une explosion fulgurante remodelant le paysage des réseaux informatiques et télécoms. La virtualisation permet la mutualisation des ressources physiques pour instancier des machines virtuelles complétement isolées mais puisant leurs ressources du même matériel physique. Plus récemment le NFV (Network Functions Virtualisation) est apparu, et a permis de virtualiser des classes entières de fonctions de nœud de réseau dans des blocs qui peuvent se connecter pour créer des services de communication. Cette thèse s’inscrit dans ce contexte pour virtualiser les nœuds des réseaux d’accès, à savoir les points d’accès Wi-Fi. Le Wi-Fi est devenu la technologie de tous les enjeux pour les opérateurs mobile. Cette technologie leur permet notamment d’y délester une partie du trafic de données clients via des hotspots. Le problème qui se pose dans un tel mécanisme est que les normes Wi-Fi existantes ainsi que les logiciels de gestion de connexion d’un appareil mobile n’ont pas été développés dans l’optique du hotspot. A cet effet, la norme Hotspot2.0 a été créée, pour rendre l’expérience Wi-Fi similaire à celle du cellulaire en termes d’itinérance, de transparence et de sécurité. Nous avons dans nos travaux, appliqué le concept de NFV en virtualisant ces points d’accès Wi-Fi de nouvelle génération. La problématique face à laquelle nous avons été confrontés est la forte sécurité imposée par de tels dispositifs exigeants notamment l’enregistrement et l’installation de certificats de sécurité clients dans les lieux publics. Dans notre thèse nous proposons une architecture innovante permettant le rapatriement de ces éléments de sécurité à travers des bornes NFC. Ces mêmes bornes, dans une volonté d’urbanisation des points d’accès, permettront aux utilisateurs de créer leurs propres points d’accès Wi-Fi virtuels à la volée. Enfin, le dernier aspect de cette thèse touche à la problématique de gérance des entités virtualisées changeant les schémas de communication des réseaux traditionnels. Dans ce contexte, SDN (Software Defined Network) a émergé dans les datacenters pour redéfinir la façon de penser les réseaux plus en adéquation avec le contexte virtualisé. Cette thèse reprend le SDN pour l’appliquer en périphérie de réseaux sur les points d’accès Wi-Fi virtuels que nous avons créés. Plus qu’un nouveau paradigme de communications réseaux, nous verrons que l’introduction des concepts NFV/SDN aux réseaux Wi-Fi permettra dans un avenir proche de rendre les réseaux Wi-Fi plus souples, plus ouverts et plus évolutifs. / Virtualization was originally introduced in networks to reduce maintenance and deployment costs. It has experienced tremendous growth and reshaped the landscape of IT and ITC networks. Virtualization permits the sharing of physical resources for instantiating isolated virtual machines despite the fact that it is drawing its resources from the same physical hardware. More recently NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) appeared, it allows to virtualize entire classes of network functions node in blocks that can connect to create communication services. In this thesis we virtualize the access network nodes, namely Wi-Fi access points. The Wi-Fi became one of the hot-topic technology for mobile operators, it allows them to offload some of the customers’ data traffic via hotspots. The problem that arises in such a mechanism is the existing wireless standards, and mobile devices connection management software have not been developed for this purpose. The Hotspot2.0 standard was created to overcome this limitation, by making the Wi-Fi experience similar to the cellular in terms of roaming, transparency and security. We have in our work, applied the concept of NFV by virtualizing these brand new Wi-Fi access points. One of the problems that we faced is the high security required by such standard, including the provisioning of client credentials in public areas. In our thesis we propose an innovative architecture for the repatriation of these credentials through NFC terminals. These same terminals will be used for access points’ urbanization by allowing users to create their own Wi-Fi virtual access point on the fly. The last aspect of this thesis is related to the management of virtualized entities changing communication patterns of legacy networks. In this context, SDN (Software Defined Network) emerged in data centers to redefine the way we think about networks, and is designed for virtualized environments. In this thesis we brought SDN to the edge of the network in our Wi-Fi virtual access points. More than a new paradigm of networks communications, we will see that NFV/SDN in Wi-Fi networks will in the near future make Wi-Fi networks more flexible, open and scalable.

In the era of Industry 4 and Digital Twin – DT- (integrating Audio-Video, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Haptics - from the Greek word Haptikos meaning "able to touch") and the Tactile Internet (TI), it becomes obvious that telecom stakeholders need different networks requirements to provision high quality services with respect to the new standards. In reality, this era is proposed as TI, and it will achieve a true paradigm shift from content delivery to skill-set delivery network types, thanks to recent technical breakthroughs. It will build a new internet structure with improved capabilities; but it will be difficult to meet the technical needs of the TI with current fourth generation (4G) mobile communication systems. As a result, 5G mobile communication systems will be used at the wireless edge and as a key enabler for TI due to its automated core network functionalities. Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, most daily activities such as employment, research, and education are now conducted online rather than in person. As a result, internet traffic has risen dramatically. Nowadays, Tactile Internet is in its infancy deployment phase worldwide. For this reason, and because of the growing need of its applications, the feasibility of these applications on the existing and deployed networks infrastructures, especially in the growing countries, is thought to be very hard, even quasi-impossible. Since 5G is not reaching yet its convergence stage (i.e. it is not deployed everywhere) and there is a huge stress on mobile communications given that the world is still facing the COVID-19 Pandemic, and since all the activities are taking place online, we propose design and implement a QoS framework to facilitate the feasibility and the applicability of the TI systems, where no 5G infrastructure is deployed. This framework will predict the most suitable network type to be deployed for certain given TI applications with certain given KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). Also, this framework is scalable, in such it gives an idea of even the future Next Generation Mobile Networks types (NGMN, if necessary). “To deal” with TI applications, means “to deal” with Haptics added to Audio and Video streams. Therefore, performance evaluation for haptic networks is required. And since there are different types of haptic networks, so interoperability is needed. Consequently, a standardization form is necessary for that purpose, to annotate and describe the haptic network. The first idea that flashes in mind, is the use of Ontologies. In these latters, we can add intelligent rules to infer additional data and predict resource requirements in order to achieve better performance. Many works in the research rely on Artificial Intelligence approaches to tackle the above-mentioned standardization, but very few depend on ontologies, and without futuristic outcomes, especially for the optimization problem. We mean by optimization, the optimal types, methods and rules that are able to accommodate the applicability of the TI systems (here come the applications KPIs) in an acceptable environment or infrastructure (here come the networking KPIs), and even-more, to infer the most optimal network type. To help manufacturing companies take full advantage of the TI, we propose to develop new methods and tools (ontologies) to intelligently handle the TI, DT (Digital Twin) and IoT (Internet of Things) sensor data and process data at the edge of the network and deliver faster insights. The outcomes of these ontologies, have been validated through two conducted case studies, where we simulated, in the first, TI traffic over Wi-Fi, WiMAX and UMTS (3G) infrastructures; While in the second we used 4G (LTE-A), along with SDN (Software Defined Networking) integrated to MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) as networking backbone. The results, in terms of QoS KPIs performance evaluation, present high relevance to our proposed Ontology outcomes.

5G and beyond mobile network technology promises to deliver unprecedented ultra-low latency and high data rates, paving the way for many novel applications and services. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) are two technologies expected to play a vital role in achieving ambitious Quality of Service requirements of such applications. While NFV provides flexibility by enabling network functions to be dynamically deployed and inter-connected to realize Service Function Chains (SFC), MEC brings the computing capability to the mobile network's edges, thus reducing latency and alleviating the transport network load. However, adequate mechanisms are needed to meet the dynamically changing network service demands (i.e., in single and multiple domains) and optimally utilize the network resources while ensuring that the end-to-end latency requirement of services is always satisfied. In this dissertation work, we break the problem into three separate stages and present the solutions for each one of them.Firstly, we apply Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques to drive NFV resource orchestration in MEC-enabled 5G architectures for single and multi-domain scenarios. We propose three deep learning approaches to perform horizontal and vertical Virtual Network Function (VNF) auto-scaling: (i) Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) classification and regression (single-domain), (ii) Centralized Artificial Neural Network (ANN), centralized Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) and centralized Convolutional Neural Network-LSTM (CNN-LSTM) (single-domain), and (iii) Federated ANN, federated LSTM and federated CNN-LSTM (multi-domain). We evaluate the performance of each of these deep learning models trained over a commercial network operator dataset and investigate the pros and cons of different approaches for VNF auto-scaling. For the first approach, our results show that both MLP classifier and MLP regressor models have strong predicting capability for auto-scaling. However, MLP regressor outperforms MLP classifier in terms of accuracy. For the second approach (one-step prediction), CNN-LSTM performs the best for the QoS-prioritized objective and LSTM performs the best for the cost-prioritized objective. For the second approach (multi-step prediction), the encoder-decoder CNN-LSTM model outperforms the encoder-decoder LSTM model for both QoS and Cost prioritized objectives. For the third approach, both federated LSTM and federated CNN-LSTM models perform equally better than the federated ANN model. It was also noted that in general federated learning approaches performs poorly compared to centralized learning approaches. Secondly, we employ Integer Linear Programming (ILP) techniques to formulate and solve a joint user association and SFC placement problem, where each SFC represents a service requested by a user with end-to-end latency and data rate requirements. We also develop a comprehensive end-to-end latency model considering radio delay, backhaul network delay and SFC processing delay for 5G mobile networks. We evaluated the proposed model using simulations based on real-operator network topology and real-world latency values. Our results show that the average end-to-end latency reduces significantly when SFCs are placed at the ME hosts according to their latency and data rate demands. Furthermore, we propose an heuristic algorithm to address the issue of scalability in ILP, that can solve the above association/mapping problem in seconds rather than hours.Finally, we introduce lightMEC - a lightweight MEC platform for deploying mobile edge computing functionalities which allows hosting of low-latency and bandwidth-intensive applications at the network edge. Measurements conducted over a real-life test demonstrated that lightMEC could actually support practical MEC applications without requiring any change to existing mobile network nodes' functionality in the access and core network segments. The significant benefits of adopting the proposed architecture are analyzed based on a proof-of-concept demonstration of the content caching use case. Furthermore, we introduce the AI-driven Kubernetes orchestration prototype that we implemented by leveraging the lightMEC platform and assess the performance of the proposed deep learning models (from stage 1) in an experimental setup. The prototype evaluations confirm the simulation results achieved in stage 1 of the thesis.

The NetCOPE framework has proven itself as a viable framework for rapid development of hardware accelerated wire-speed network applications using Network Functions Virtualization (NFV). To meet the current and future requirements of such applications the NetCOPE platform has to catch up with upcoming 400 Gigabit Ethernet. Otherwise, it may become deprecated in following years. Catching up with 400 Gigabit Ethernet brings many challenges bringing necessity of completely different way of thinking. Multiple network packets have to be processed each clock cycle requiring a new concept of processing. Advanced memory management is used to ensure constant memory complexity with respect to the number of DMA channels without any impact on performance. Thanks to that, even more than 256 completely independent DMA channels are feasible with current technology. A lot of effort was made to create the framework as generic as possible allowing deployment of 400 Gigabit Ethernet and beyond. Emphasis is put on communication between the framework and host computer via PCI Express technology. Multiple Ethernet ports are also considered. The proposed system is prepared to be deployed on the family of COMBO cards, used as a reference platform.

Les réseaux actuels servent millions de clients mobiles et ils se caractérisent par équipement hétérogène et protocoles de transport et de gestion hétérogènes, et des outils de gestion verticaux, qui sont très difficiles à intégrer dans leur infrastructure. La gestion de pannes est loin d’être automatisée et intelligent, ou un 40 % des alarmes sont redondantes et seulement un 1 ou 2% des alarmes sont corrélées au plus dans un centre opérationnel. Ça indique qu’il y a un débordement significatif des alarmes vers les adminis-trateurs humains, a comme conséquence un haut OPEX vue la nécessité d’embaucher de personnel expert pour accomplir les tâches de gestion de pannes. Comme conclusion, le niveau actuel d’automatisation dans les tâches de gestion de pannes dans réseaux télécoms n’est pas adéquat du tout pour adresser les réseaux programmables, lesquels promettent la programmation des ressources et la flexibilité afin de réduire le time-to-market des nouveaux services. L’automatisation de la gestion des pannes devient de plus en plus nécessaire avec l’arrivée des réseaux programmables, SDN (Software-Defined Networking), NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) et le Cloud. En effet, ces paradigmes accélèrent la convergence entre les domaines des réseaux et la IT, laquelle accélère de plus en plus la transformation des réseaux télécoms actuels en menant à repenser les opérations de gestion de réseau et des services, en particulier les opérations de gestion de fautes. Cette thèse envisage l’application des principes d’autoréparation en infrastructures basées sur SDN et NFV, en focalisant sur l’autodiagnostic comme facilitateur principal des principes d’autoréparation. Le coeur de cette thèse c’est la conception d’une approche de diagnostic qui soit capable de diagnostiquer de manière continuée les services dynamiques virtualisés et leurs dépendances des ressources virtuels (VNFs et liens virtuels) mais aussi les dépendances de ceux ressources virtuels de la infrastructure physique en-dessous, en prenant en compte la mobilité, la dynamicite, le partage de ressources à l’infrastructure en-dessous / Current networks serve billions of mobile customer devices. They encompass heterogeneous equipment, transport and manage-ment protocols, and vertical management tools, which are very difficult and costly to integrate. Fault management operations are far from being automated and intelligent, where around 40% of alarms are redundant only around 1-2% of alarms are correlated at most in a medium-size operational center. This indicates that there is a significant alarm overflow for human administrators, which inherently derives in high OPEX due to the increasingly need to employ high-skilled people to perform fault management tasks. In conclusion, the current level of automation in fault management tasks in Telcos networks is not at all adequate for programmable networks, which promise a high degree of programmability and flexibility to reduce the time-to-market. Automation on fault management is more necessary with the advent of programmable networks, led by with SDN (Software-Defined Networking), NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) and the Cloud. Indeed, the arise of those paradigms accelerates the convergence between networks and IT realms, which as consequence, is accelerating faster and faster the transformation of cur-rent networks leading to rethink network and service management and operations, in particular fault management operations. This thesis envisages the application of self-healing principles in SDN and NFV combined infrastructures, by focusing on self-diagnosis tasks as main enabler of self-healing. The core of thesis is to devise a self-diagnosis approach able to diagnose at run-time the dynamic virtualized networking services and their dependencies from the virtualized resources (VNFs and virtual links) but also the dependencies of those virtualized resources from the underlying network infrastructure, taking into account the mobility, dynamicity, and sharing of resources in the underlying infrastructure

Submitted by PPG Ci?ncia da Computa??o (ppgcc@pucrs.br) on 2017-11-24T20:01:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafael_Anton_Eichelberger_dis.pdf: 5090662 bytes, checksum: 0c27686648c0e4c286c555a921034507 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Caroline Xavier (caroline.xavier@pucrs.br) on 2017-12-04T11:49:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafael_Anton_Eichelberger_dis.pdf: 5090662 bytes, checksum: 0c27686648c0e4c286c555a921034507 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-04T11:53:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rafael_Anton_Eichelberger_dis.pdf: 5090662 bytes, checksum: 0c27686648c0e4c286c555a921034507 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-03-15 / Service Function Chaining (SFC) ? um importante campo de pesquisa na ?rea de redes de computadores, com v?rias propostas de diferentes m?todos de encapsulamento e encaminhamento de pacotes. Os m?todos de encaminhamento de pacotes usados para implementar SFC podem inviabilizar o uso de ferramentas tradicionais de depura??o de rede, o que dificulta a detec??o de erros de configura??o ou poss?veis degrada??es de desempenho em ambientes SFC. Este trabalho apresenta o SFC Path Tracer, uma ferramenta para detec??o de problemas no dom?nio SFC em ambientes NFV/SDN. Essa ferramenta permite a identifica??o de problemas no dom?nio SFC, atrav?s da gera??o de trace de pacotes e medi??o de atrasos intra-hop a partir de um SFC Path espec?fico. SFC Path Tracer ? agn?stico em rela??o aos mecanismos de encapsulamento e encaminhamento usados para implementar SFC, sendo eficaz na detec??o de grande parte dos problemas em um ambiente SFC. / Service Function Chaining (SFC) is an important research field in networking area with many encapsulation and forwarding mechanisms being proposed. To implement SFC, non-standard forwarding methods are used which break the mechanism of regular network troubleshooting tools, challenging the detection of SFC misconfiguration or performance degradation. This work presents the SFC Path Tracer, a tool for roubleshooting SFC in NFV/SDN environments. This tool enables the identification of problems in the SFC environment by generating packet trace and computing intra-hop delays from a specific SFC path. SFC Path Tracer is agnostic regarding the SFC encapsulation and forwarding mechanisms being effective to detect most problems in an SFC environment.

In mobile networks, the mobile core plays a crucial role in providing connectivity between mobile user devices and external packet data networks such as the Internet. Through the years, along with the dramatical changes in radio access networks, the mobile core has also been evolved from being a circuit-based analog telephony system in its first generation (1G) to become a purely packet-based network called the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in the current generation (4G). In recent years, the explosion of mobile data traffic and devices and the advent of new services have led to the investigation of the next generation of mobile networks, i.e., 5G. A wide range of technologies has been proposed as candidates for the development of 5G. Among other technology candidates, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) have been widely considered to be key enablers for the network architecture of 5G, especially the mobile packet core (MPC) network. This thesis aims at identifying benefits and challenges of introducing SDN and NFV to re-achitect the current MPC network architecture towards 5G and addressing some of the challenges. To this end, we conduct a comprehensive literature review of the state-of-the-art work leveraging SDN and NFV to re-design the 4G EPC architecture. Through this survey work, several research questions for future work have been identified and we contribute to address two of them in this thesis. Firstly, since most of the current works focus on unicast services, we propose an SDN/NFV-based MPC architecture for providing multicast and broadcast services. Our numerical results show that the proposed architecture can reduce the total signaling cost compared to the traditional architecture. Secondly, we address the question regarding the scalability of the control plane. We take the Mobility Management Entity (MME) - one of the EPC key control plane entities - as a case study. In our work, the MME is deployed as a cluster of multiple virtual instances (vMMEs) and a front-end load balancer. We focus on investigating different approaches to achieve better load balancing among these vMMEs, which in turn improves scalability. Our experimental results suggest that carefully selected load balancing algorithms can significantly reduce the control plane latency. / In mobile networks, the mobile core plays a crucial role in providing connectivity between mobile user devices and external packet data networks such as the Internet. After more than three decades, the mobile core has been gradually evolved through four generations and is called the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) in the current generation (4G). In recent years, the explosion of mobile data traffic and devices and the advent of new services have led to the investigation of the next generation of mobile networks, i.e., 5G. Among other technology candidates, Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) have been widely considered to be key enablers for the network architecture of 5G, especially the mobile packet core (MPC) network. This thesis aims at identifying benefits and challenges of introducing SDN and NFV to re-achitect the current MPC architecture towards 5G and addressing some of the challenges. To this end, we conduct a comprehensive survey of the existing SDN/NFV-based MPC architectures. Through this survey work, several research questions for future work have been identified and we contribute to address two of the research questions. Firstly, we propose an SDN/NFV-based MPC architecture for providing multicast and broadcast services. Secondly, we tackle the scalability problem of the Mobility Management Entity (MME) - one of the EPC key control plane entities. In particular, we investigate different approaches to achieve better load balancing among virtual MMEs in a virtual and distributed MME design, which in turn improves scalability. / HITS, 4707