A Cloud based architecture for IPTV as a Service Esmeralda Hysenbelliu Faculty of Information Technology Polytechnic University of Tirana, Mother Teresa 4, Tirana, Albania esmeralda.hysenbelliu@gmail.com Abstract Second, SDN provides a well-defined interface between the now-separated control and data planes, Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a new and including a set of abstractions for network devices that important approach in networking technology, designed hide the many of their details. Third, SDN migrate to create high level abstractions on top of which control plane logic to a logically centralized controller hardware and software infrastructure can be built to that exploits a global view of network resources and support new cloud computing applications. SDN is also knowledge of application requirements to implement referred to as programmable network because it and optimize global policies. attempts to isolate control plane from data plane and provides an independent and centralized unit to control the network (this application unit is called Controller). Virtualization and abstraction [JP2013]: SDN These networks are implemented to support dynamic defines open, standard abstractions for networks that nature of the network functions and intelligent hide the details of the underlying infrastructure, similar applications with low operating cost through simplified to how an operating system abstracts the complexity of hardware, software and management. The aim of this underlying hardware by exporting common application paper is to implement and present a study of cloud programming interfaces (APIs) to services such as file based architecture for IPTV Service implemented systems, virtual memory, sockets, and threads. SDN inside SMC ISP data center (Software Media offers the potential to reverse this trend by addressing Communication ISP). SDN SMC Architecture is built these problems in the controller software running on in a simple concrete way involving Napster -3Protocol, commodity servers that programs network hardware NGNIX and SOAP Application Protocols achieving using open protocols. The dominant use of SDN that IPTV service in more secure, scalable and cost enables solutions to these problems is network effective manner. virtualization. Network virtualization involves abstracting the physical network in two ways: (i) Keywords isolating multiple tenants and giving them a view such SDN Approaches, Software Defined Networking, that they are the only ones using the network and (ii) Virtualization, SDN SMC architecture, IPTV service presenting an abstract topology that may differ from the physical topology, e.g., an abstract topology with all hosts attached to a single, large switch. A related 1. Introduction concept is Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Software defined networking (SDN) represents a [PH2013], which replaces specialized appliances such fundamental advancement, revolutionizing the network as firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection industry [DOJDFCBMTR2014]. The difference systems with virtual machines (VMs) running on between SDN and traditional networking consist: First, conventional servers ([SERRS2013], [SERRS2011, SDN separates the data plane, which forwards traffic at SHC2013]) connected to the network. In the server full speed, from the control plane, which makes world, virtualization has enabled new applications and decisions about how to forward traffic at longer time revenue streams that would not have been technically scales. possible or economically feasible otherwise. It is anticipated the same will be true for networking. Copyright © 2015 for the individual papers by the papers' authors. Splitting the data plane and the control plane: In Copying permitted only for private and academic purposes. conventional networks, each device implements both In: A. Bădică, M. Colhon (eds.): Proceedings of the 2015 Balkan data and control plane functionality. Each device Conference on Informatics: Advances in ICT continues to forward packets at full speed on the basis 59 of currently installed forwarding rules, but the there is made an effort to propose architecture for the distributed control plane is replaced with a logically SDN based data centre providing IPTV service. The centralized controller that programs the forwarding idea was to build a real network to provide IPTV, rules of each device in the network. The controller uses Video CLUB, AUDIO CLUB and Video on Demand its global network view to create basic forwarding rules services to clients using Software Cloud Networking that are not limited to spanning trees and dovetail with for offering different Cloud applications as YouTube, higher-level functionalities such as Network Address Games, Browsers. To realize this, there is created a Translation (NAT) and VLANs. The ability to control physical connection between Client and Cloud with all aspects of the network results in flexibility and Fiber. To enable a cost-efficient realization of user- innovation. defined virtual infrastructures in the cloud, there is Centralizing network control: Once the data and proposed an architecture for Software-Defined Cloud control planes are split, it is no longer necessary to Computing environments that is composed of four have a distributed control plane. As a consequence distinct layers: most realizations of SDN migrates a substantial portion The first layer, user layer, runs on user devices, such as of network control functionality to a logically mobile devices and browsers from workstations. It centralized SDN controller. The controller connects to provides an interface between the end user and the every switch in the network, typically through a resources on the cloud, forwarding requests to the latter separate control network, which allows it to monitor to complete certain tasks that can be better completed and control each device. Though less common, the in the cloud rather than in the device itself. distributed management plane can also be replaced with The second layer, application layer, is the level that a logically centralized management point, possibly the decides whether requests can be executed or not and same controller, to enable network-wide monitoring, also schedules them. management, and policy enforcement While there are well-recognized trade-offs between distributed and The next layer is the control layer, where the logic that centralized control, the advantages of centralization controls the SDC cloud is implemented. appear to greatly outweigh the disadvantages in the The bottommost layer, the infrastructure layer, is the context of SDN. Most of the problems described earlier portion where the management actions from the layer can be solved using SDN technology. For example, an above are applied, generating two distinct views: the SDN controller has global visibility into the current physical plane, which contains the physical resources state of the network, e.g., link and buffer utilization, that compose the data center, and the virtual plane, device failures, and where hosts are located, so it can where the virtual infrastructure defined by users is implement end-to-end quality of service (QoS) and realized. In SDN SMC architecture, Infrastructure layer respond rapidly to failures ([FRRHV2010], components are [LR2011]: [BAAZ2011]). However, SDN need not centralize control entirely. The rest of this paper is organized as follows: Section II describes our SDN Architecture Infrastructure layer: implemented in SMC ISP data center. Section III a) Physical plane: describes the key benefits of implemented IPTV service 1. A Mikrotik Router RB 1100 AH –performing on SMC ISP data center. In Section IV we have routing of Clients request in Internet via PPOE Conclusions and References Protocol 2. 1 Catalyst Cisco switch – which process 40 Gbps. 2. SDN Architecture based on IPTV This switch enables a good QoS in Multi cast Services Service implemented on SMC data center 3. HP server DL 360 G5 with two processers Xeon Since managing the control of the networking part of Dual core 2.66 GHZ, 12 G RAM, 2X160 Giga HDD the centre is a challenging task and keeping in view the SAS Interface, Ride1 advantages of Software Defined Networks, in this paper 60 4. OLT ZTE C300 Equipment which offers GPON b. Receiving Multicast Services from a Multiplexed Technology with optical fiber. The most important Content. feature of this equipment is to increase number of end c. Receiving Multicast Services from a digital receiver users being connected only in a fiber thread using RF (In SDN SMC Architecture, we have build an Passive Splitters. We are able to connect until 126 end- Ubuntu Server with a digital Receiver RF which clients via 1 Gbit/s Interface. perform conversion in IP multicast via proper helpful packages installed on it. b) Virtual Plane: As VMWare we have used VM Vsfere 5.5 server which provides the infrastructure of Virtual Machines built on it. This server gives the possibility to pool and manage the resources of multiple hosts and effectively monitor and manage physical and virtual infrastructure. We can manage resources for virtual machines, provision virtual machines, schedule tasks, collect Statistics logs, create templates, and more. Inside this server, there are created for VM’s as follow: Figure 1: SDN SMC Architecture 5. ONU client ZTE F660 Router – This router is a Wireless Gigabit Router and operates as a Switch Layer 3 GPON. 6. Set box MAG 250 -The Set-Top Box is designed for ISPs, OTT-operators and content aggregators that provide services based on IPTV and VoD. MAG250 contains a whole set of functions that are in high demand with operators, such as playback of digital TV channels in high quality, streaming video support and video on demand. Stalker Middleware makes possible a fast and efficient launch of IP-network video services. 7. To receive Multicast services, there are used three methods: a. Receiving Multicast Services directly by a certain content. 61 b. This server realizes all services and applications on Cloud such Video club, audio club, VoD services and YouTube, browsers etc application. SDN SMC architecture above is a concrete architecture built with real hardware elements. A layered architecture is given in figure 2. Security challenges on SDN SMC architecture based on IPTV services: 1. To protect data centre from threats that cannot be stopped by other security devices. 2. To secure the availability of the most important asset: the data centre services 3. To protect the data centre infrastructure and connectivity as well as customer services and data 4. To provide much needed visibility at the data centre edge and inside data centers 2.1 Application Protocols Napster -3Protocol: - This Application protocol is a Complex client -server protocol with central site. Users can register, log in, etc and registration message includes age, income, and education. Central site which is service provider (Administrator) can allow or forbid the users to browsing/searching, uploading /downloading data. Process of Files transfer is direct and does not go through napster.com’s site [Jay2012]. Operation Logic of this protocol: Figure 2: SDN SMC Layered architecture a. Client sends search or browse requests to central site. VM1 is a Fedora System in which there is installed -Can browse some other user’s files. Radius Manager. The main function of Radius manager -Response comes back from central site. is authentication, Bandwidth control, Billing System b. Only explicitly-shared files should be retrievable. and for all PPOE Users. c. Napster -3Protocol handles all file types (MP3, VM2 is a Centos 5.5 System in which we have installed AUDIO, and VIDEO etc) Bind DNS Server. This protocol is much secure because it is much harder VM3 is an Ubuntu server with 64 Bit which perform for clients to lie (Can't give fake IP addresses, port de-multiplexing of IP Multicast numbers etc). Administrator can exert much control. Vm4 is an Ubuntu server with 64 Bit in which there is Using this protocol we decrease privacy issues because installed Stalker Portal Middleware and some helpful service provider or Administrator knows (almost) packages. Most important functionalities of this server everything. In cloud network fake content and fake line are: speed attacks still apply but in theory, are more a. Conversion of Multi cast channels to Unicast that traceable through Napster -3protocol and this is the will be used to SET BOX best feature protecting cloud data from attacks 62 SOAP Protocol (Simple Object access protocol) [W3C2007]: SOAP allows you to build interoperable software and allows others to take advantage of your software over a network. It defines rules for sending and receiving Remote Procedure Calls (RPC) such as the structure of the request and responses. Therefore, SOAP is not tied to any specific operating system or programming language. As that matters is someone can formulate and parse a SOAP message in their chosen language NGNIX protocol: NGINX Protocol is acting as reverse proxy protocol [Kol2015]. This protocol can load balance HTTP/HTTPS traffic specifically, or it can load balance straight TCP traffic without regard to the protocol. Referring to our architecture, NGINX is configured in VM4. In the configuration file displayed in figure 3, there are two virtual servers where virtual server 1listen on port 80 and second virtual server listen on port 8888. When a request comes from client, NGNIX first decides which server should process the request. In our configuration NGNIX tests only the requests header field “Host” to determine which server the request should be routed to. If its value does not Figure 3: NGNIX Configuration file in VM4 match any server name, or the request does not contain this header field at all, then NGNIX will route the request to the default server for this port. In our 3. Key benefits of implemented IPTV configuration, NGNIX accept proxy protocols headers service on SMC ISP data center on two ports for each server: Server 1: port 80 and 88 The following are some of the other benefits arising out of using SDN in SMC ISP for implementing IPTV Server 2: port 8888 and 9999 service: Using NGNIX we can retrieve resources on behalf of a 1. It can improve network management efficiency client from the application servers. because it does not require continuous upgrades. 2. It integrates the department LANs with different policies and reduces installation costs. 3. It provides stable networks and reduces time and costs for the operation management and configuration modifications. 4. It reduces installation costs In SDN SMC data center, legacy networks are difficult to automate as the control plane intelligence is distributed. SDN promises an easier, more dynamic interaction with the network through abstraction of the control plane. This reduces the complexity of managing, provisioning, and changing the network. 63 4. Conclusions [SHC2013] J. Sherry, S. Hasan, and C. Scott, Making middleboxes someone else’s problem: Software-Defined Cloud Computing is emerging as a Network processing as a cloud service. In result of advances in the areas of cloud computing, Proc. 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