Virtualized Controller Placement for Multi-domain Optical Transport Networks

Optical multi-domain transport networks are often controlled by a hierarchical distributed architecture of controllers. Optimal placement of these controllers is very important for their efficient management and control. Traditional SDN controller placement methods focus mostly on controller placement in datacenter networks. But the problem of virtualized controller placement for multi-domain transport networks needs to be solved in the context of geographically-distributed heterogeneous multi-domain networks. In this context, Edge Datacenters have enabled network operators to place virtualized controller instances closer to users, besides providing more candidate locations for controller placement. In this study, we propose a dynamic controller placement method for optical transport networks that considers the heterogeneity of optical controllers, resource limitations at edge hosting locations, latency requirements, and costs. Simulation studies considering practical scenarios show significant cost savings and delay reductions compared to standard placement approaches.