A simulator for analyzing a network slicing policy with SLA-based performance isolation of slices

Efficient allocation of radio access network (RAN) resources remains an important challenge with the introduction of 5G networks. RAN virtualization and division into logical subnetworks - slices - puts this task into a new perspective. In the paper we present a software tool based on the OMNeT++ platform and developed for performance analysis of a network slicing policy with SLA-based slice performance isolation. The tool is designed using the object-oriented approach, which provides flexibility and extensibility of the simulation model. The paper briefly presents the slicing policy under study and focuses on the simulators architecture and design. Numerical results are provided for illustration.

An Enhanced List Based Packet Classifier for Performance Isolation in Internet Protocol Storage Area Networks

Consolidation of storage into IP SANs (Internet protocol storage area network) has led to a combination of multiple workloads of varying demands and importance. To ensure that users get their Service level objective (SLO) a technique for isolating workloads is required. Solutions that exist include cache partitioning and throttling of workloads. However, all these techniques require workloads to be classified in order to be isolated. Previous works on performance isolation overlooked the classification process as a source of overhead in implementing performance isolation. However, it’s known that linear search based classifiers search linearly for rules that match packets in order to classify flows which results in delays among other problems especially when rules are many. This paper looks at the various limitation of list based classifiers. In addition, the paper proposes a technique that includes rule sorting, rule partitioning and building a tree rule firewall to reduce the cost of matching packets to rules during classification. Experiments were used to evaluate the proposed solution against the existing solutions and proved that the linear search based classification process could result in performance degradation if not optimized. The results of the experiments showed that the proposed solution when implemented would considerably reduce the time required for matching packets to their classes during classification as evident in the throughput and latency experienced.

Compact Photonic-Crystals Based Isolator Using Ni–Zn Gyromagnetic Ferrite Posts

A Faraday rotation isolator is conventionally achieved by connecting a matched load to a three-port circulator. It obtains superior performance (isolation > 20 dB) at the inevitable cost of non-ideal size. In order to adapt to the miniaturizations and integrations required for future 5G communication systems, it is particularly important to reduce the size of the devices. This work demonstrates a photonic crystal-based isolator design, comprising a unique reflecting cavity and a built-in fan-shaped coupler, where four Ni–Zn ferrite posts achieve the rotations. The design with the compact size of about 46.6 × 41.6 × 4.32 mm3 obtains excellent forward transmission efficiency and reverse isolation of 0.50 dB and 44.20 dB, respectively.

QiOi: Performance Isolation for Hyperledger Fabric

This paper investigates the performance interference of blockchain services that run on cloud data centers. As the data centers offer shared computing resources to multiple services, the blockchain services can experience performance interference due to the co-located services. We explore the impact of the interference on Fabric performance and develop a new technique to offer performance isolation for Hyperledger Fabric, the most popular blockchain platform. First, we analyze the characteristics of the different components in Hyperledger Fabric and show that Fabric components have different impacts on the performance of Fabric. Then, we present QiOi, component-level performance isolation technique for Hyperledger Fabric. The key idea of QiOi is to dynamically control the CPU scheduling of Fabric components to cope with the performance interference. We implement QiOi as a user-level daemon and evaluate how QiOi mitigates the performance interference of Fabric. The evaluation results demonstrate that QiOi mitigates performance degradation of Fabric by 22% and improves Fabric latency by 2.5 times without sacrificing the performance of co-located services. In addition, we show that QiOi can support different ordering services and chaincodes with negligible overhead to Fabric performance.

COPING WITH POST COVID-19: CAN WORK FROM HOME BE A NEW NORM?

The ever-advancing world of technology has made it possible for people to work from home and this has affected the way people, especially employees work. It has also benefitted them during this difficult time of pandemic. Working from home which is also known as teleworking is when employees carry out their organisational responsibilities remotely such as in their homes instead of the norm of working in the office. Previous studies have only discussed the topic theory wise, but the feelings or views of employees on the topic have not been thoroughly studied. The purpose of this study is to explore the advantages and disadvantages of working from home from the employees' perspectives. Specifically, this quantitative study investigates how employees feel about working from home in the aspects of family values, increase of performance, isolation, and disrupt work-life balance. A survey via Google Form using Likert scales was used as the instrument which was answered by 110 respondents. Findings revealed that a majority of the respondents agreed that working from home has more advantages than the disadvantages and this showed that working from home brings more convenience for the employees. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0730/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>