vDANE: Using virtualization for improving video quality with Server and Network Assisted DASH

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) offers flexibility in traffic engineering and network resource management, by taking advantage of Software Defined Networking (SDN). By using these network technologies, it is possible to enhance the performance of video streaming applications by placing network functions in suitable locations and rerouting flows. Our study addresses the “virtual cache placement” problem in dynamic networks, where traffic patterns and attachment points of the clients are changing rapidly. The cache placement is done by determining how many virtual caches are necessary to be able to provide acceptable service to the clients, as well as where to place those caches to meet demand. To this end, we provide a heuristic solution by taking advantage of NFV-SDN and having the assistance of Server and Network Assisted DASH (SAND). Experimental results show that the proposed algorithms can improve the video client rebuffering by 150%–270% and also can provide an 8%–12% increase in average bitrate received by the client, compared to a number of benchmark algorithms. The obtained results indicate that the co-operation between the client and the operator of an SDN-enabled network, by exchanging client and network information, allows network resources to be efficiently used, and as a consequence, the Quality of Experience (QoE) on the client's side is improved.