Faqir Zarrar Yousaf

• PhD
• Senior Researcher at NEC Laboratories Europe

In the public safety sector, 5G offers immense opportunities for enhancing mission-critical services by provisioning virtualized service functions at the network edge, which enables achieving high reliability and low-latency. One of these mission-critical services is Back Situation Awareness (BSA) that supports Emergency Vehicles (EmVs) by increasi...

The mapping of a virtual network service onto a physical network infrastructure is a challenging task due to the joint allocation of virtual resources across nodes and links, the diverse technical requirements of end-users, the coordination between multiple host domains, and others. This issue is exacerbated further by the extension of virtualizati...

A sophisticated and efficient network slicing architecture is needed to support the orchestration of network slices across multiple administrative domains. Such multi-domain architecture shall be agnostic of the underlying virtualization and network infrastructure technologies. Its objective is to extend the traditional orchestration, management an...

Edge computing is one of the key features of the 5G technology-scape that is realizing new and enhanced automotive use cases for improving road safety and emergency response management. Back Situation Awareness (BSA) is such a use case that provides an advance notification to the vehicles of an arriving emergency vehicle (EmV). This paper presents...

This article proposes a novel method and system to solve the issue of the management and orchestration (MANO) of end-to-end network services when the MANO system is deployed in a mobile infrastructure which is within the user domain. Such a MANO system, referred to as u-MANO, raises several challenges and issues in terms of ensuring the integrity a...

The 5G ecosystem is comprised of the cellular 5G System, as well as a managed and orchestrated infrastructure providing virtualized network and service functions. The automotive industry with its stringent requirements for connected vehicles is a promising and yet challenging consumer of such 5G ecosystem. Deployment of service instances at distrib...

There are a large number of vertical industries implementing multiple use cases, each use case characterized by diverging service, network, and connectivity requirements such as automobile, manufacturing, power grid, etc. Such heterogeneity cannot be effectively managed and efficiently mapped onto a single type of network slice instance (NSI). Thus...

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) and Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) are among the key technology pillars of 5G systems and beyond for fostering and enhancing the performance of new and existing use cases. In the context of public safety, 5G offers great opportunities towards enhancing mission-critical services, by running network functions...

There are a large number of vertical industries implementing multiple use cases, each use case characterized by diverging service, network, and connectivity requirements-including automobile, manufacturing, power grid, and others. Such heterogeneity cannot be effectively managed and efficiently mapped onto a single type of network slice instance (N...

5G has opened up possibilities of introducing new use cases and business models that could not be perceived before. In the context of public safety, 5G offers immense opportunities towards enhancing mission success and situation awareness during emergency management. This paper introduces Back-Situation Awareness (BSA) application enabling early wa...

With the increasing trend in softwarization and virtualization of network functions and systems, NFV management and orchestration (MANO) solutions are being developed to meet the agile and flexible management requirements of virtualized network services in the 5G era and beyond. In this regard,ETSI ISG NFV has specified a standard MANO system that...

With the increasing trend in softwarization and virtualization of network functions and systems, NFV management and orchestration (MANO) solutions are being developed to meet the agile and flexible management requirements of virtualized network services in the 5G era and beyond. In this regard, ETSI ISG NFV has specified a standard MANO system that...

The MEC paradigm calls for a distribution of computational capacity at the network's edges. While MEC will play a key role in future 5G deployments, it will take some time until the existing 4G networks evolve into a full 5G system. A challenge exists to devise a transition mechanism that allows MEC features to be seamlessly integrated in the curre...

With the increasing trend in softwarization and virtualization of network functions and systems, NFV management and orchestration (MANO) solutions are being developed to meet the agile and flexible management requirements of virtualized network services in the 5G era and beyond. In this regard,ETSI ISG NFV has specified a standard MANO system thati...

A sophisticated and efficient network slicing architecture is needed to support the orchestration of network slices across multiple administrative domains. Such multi-domain architecture shall be agnostic of the underlying virtualization and network infrastructure technologies. Its objective is to extend the traditional orchestration, management an...

The novel network slicing paradigm represents an effective turning point to operate future wireless networks. Available networking and computational resources may be shared across different (instantiations of) services tailored onto specific vertical needs, envisioned as the main infrastructure tenants. While such customization enables meeting adva...

The dramatic densification of connected mobile devices and the expected use cases from the vertical industry demand an innovative network design that meets upcoming stringent requirements. The adoption and harmonized integration of novel concepts, such as network functions virtualization and network programmability, enables the system to master the...

Autonomous management and orchestration (MANO) of virtualized resources and services, especially in large-scale Network Function Virtualization (NFV) environments, is a big challenge owing to the stringent delay and performance requirements expected of a variety of network services. The Quality-of-Decisions (QoD) of a Management and Orchestration (...

Autonomous management and orchestration (MANO) of virtualized resources and services, especially in large-scale Network Function Virtualization (NFV) environments, is a big challenge owing to the stringent delay and performance requirements expected of a variety of network services. The Quality-of-Decisions (QoD) of a Management and Orchestration (...

Communication networks are undergoing their next evolutionary step towards 5G. The 5G networks are envisioned to provide a flexible, scalable, agile and programmable network platform over which different services with varying requirements can be deployed and managed within strict performance bounds. In order to address these challenges a paradigm s...

Communication networks are undergoing their next evolutionary step towards 5G. The 5G networks are envisioned to provide a flexible, scalable, agile and programmable network platform over which different services with varying requirements can be deployed and managed within strict performance bounds. In order to address these challenges a paradigm s...

For many, this is no longer a valid question and the case is considered settled with SDN/NFV (Software Defined Networking/Network Function Virtualization) providing the inevitable innovation enablers solving many outstanding management issues regarding 5G. However, given the monumental task of softwarization of radio access network (RAN) while 5G i...

For many, this is no longer a valid question and the case is considered settled with SDN/NFV (Software Defined Networking/Network Function Virtualization) providing the inevitable innovation enablers solving many outstanding management issues regarding 5G. However, given the monumental task of softwarization of radio access network (RAN) while 5G i...

Network slicing is an emerging area of research, featuring a logical arrangement of resources to operate as individual networks, thus allowing for massively customizable service and tenant requirements. The focus of this paper is to present the design of a flexible 5G architecture for network slicing, building on SDN and NFV technologies as enabler...

As the next generation networks (5G) move into a direction of virtualization and softwarization, using technologies like Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV), one of the main benefits is the possibility of network resource sharing among different tenants and service providers. This paper focuses on how the arc...

The emerging requirements for 5th generation (5G) mobile networks lead to a complete network paradigm refurbishment by leveraging on Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC). While NFV adds flexibility by allowing network functions to be dynamically deployed and inter-connected, MEC brings intelligence at the edge of th...

This paper presents the evaluation of a Resource Aware VNF Agnostic (RAVA) NFV orchestration method that enhances the Quality of Decision (QoD) of a cloud controller by optimizing the life cycle management decisions that it takes in order to manage the resources in a cloud infrastructure (e.g., a data center). The RAVA method proposes a novel conce...

The proliferation of new mobile- and machine-type devices with different traffic and resources utilization patterns and an increasing total number of devices raise demand for mobile communication network components that provide elasticity without incurring a high CAPEX/OPEX. Vendors of mobile infrastructure components are adopting technology for th...

This paper presents the proof-of-concept evaluation of a Resource Aware VNF Agnostic (RAVA) NFV orchestration method that is designed to enhance the Quality of Decision (QoD) of a cloud controller by optimizing the life cycle management decisions that it takes in order to manage the resources in a cloud infrastructure (e.g., a data center). The RAV...

With the introduction of the ETSI Network Function Virtualization (NFV) standardization, network operators started migrating their network infrastructures from dedicated hardware boxes to more common cloudified datacenters. The gain from the point of view of reduction of the infrastructure costs is almost clear, while many challenges appear especia...

The networking industry, compared to the compute industry, has been slow in evolving from a closed ecosystem with limited abstractions to a more open ecosystem with well-defined sophisticated high level abstractions. This has resulted in an ossified Internet architecture that inhibits innovation and is unnecessarily complex. Fortunately, there has...

The networking industry, compared to the compute industry, has been slow in evolving from a closed ecosystem with limited abstractions to a more open ecosystem with well-defined sophisticated high level abstractions. This has resulted in an ossified Internet architecture that inhibits innovation and is unnecessarily complex. Fortunately, there has...

Predictive handover protocols enable seamless handover of mobile nodes with reduced packet loss. The seamlessness is achieved due to the establishment and maintenance of a bi-directional tunnel between the mobile node’s previous IP subnet and new IP subnet over backhaul links. During the time the mobile node is executing a handover, all the packets...

This article proposes an approach that enables a cloud infrastructure MANO entity, in a virtualized infrastructure (e.g., a data center) that hosts virtualized networks and services, to derive the affinity scores for the plurality of resource units with reference to a specific resource unit for each individual virtual machine instance. This affinit...

Traffic congestion is not only a cause of nuisance for general commuters but also a factor that has a measurable impact on the economy if not handled proactively. When congestion increases, the waiting time for commuters increases which results in wasted fuel and wasted time. Wasted fuel adds to the import bill of a country and lost time results in...

This demonstration paper details the cloud based service enablement platform developed in the EU FP7 Mobile Cloud Networking project. This demonstration shows on a mobile core network can be instantiated on demand on top of a standard cloud infrastructure.

With the increasing popularity of various video services, video content is becoming a dominant traffic type in mobile networks. This poses a serious challenge to mobile network operators as well as service providers when it comes to delivering video content in a controllable and resource-efficient way to multiple users. Meeting various quality of e...

The delivery of video services in a controllable and resource efficient manner while meeting the various QoE/QoS requirements in mobile networks is a challenging task, especially in a multiclass wireless environment. This paper proposes an intelligent and context-aware application level fair scheduler based on reinforcement-learning, which can dyna...

We propose a simple yet effective and fair scheduler for dense Machine to Machine (M2M) implementations. The proposed scheduler aims to insure that all the devices that are randomly requesting for channel time are equally catered to. In other words the number of times each device is given access to the channel should approximately be equal to the n...

Vehicle-actuated traffic light controllers react to changes in traffic density throughout the day in order to optimize traffic flow effectively using traffic light control algorithms. Microscopic simulators are typically used to determine the performance of a traffic control scheme/algorithm by studying their effect on the relevant traffic paramete...

This paper presents an adaptive traffic signal controller algorithm that allows real time traffic flow data to control traffic signal timing for an isolated intersection. The proposed design allows greater flexibility and control of signal timings while keeping in view multiple criterions. It is based on simple rules that allow traffic flows on all...

Pre-timed traffic signals are inefficient in optimizing the traffic flow throughout the day, resulting in greater waiting times at the intersections particularly in congested urban areas during peak hours. Traffic actuated signals use real time traffic data obtained from sensors at the intersections to service queues intelligently. We developed a t...

The main reason for traffic congestion at intersections in urban areas is non-actuated traffic light controllers which aren't equipped with capabilities to handle changes in the traffic flow throughout the day. Actuated traffic light controllers monitor the traffic conditions in real time and are equipped appropriately to react to varying changes i...

The effectiveness of Intelligent Transportation Systems depends on the accuracy and timely reliable provisioning of real time data supplied by traffic data collection mechanisms. Data collection through wireless sensor networks is a very effective approach due to their easy installation, low cost, processing capabilities, small size, flexibility, a...

Existing mobile network infrastructures, for example the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), are based on mission specific, specialized network nodes/entities that are interconnect via standardized interfaces in a static manner, each providing a specific service/function. One common practice adopted by many Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in order to cater...

The recent proliferation of powerful smartphones have enabled an explosive increase in demand for mobile video (and other content) download services. In order to meet the users' demand and quality expectation, the mobile network operators tend to deploy and operate their own Content Delivery Network (CDN) within their existing network infrastructur...

With the popularity of YouTube and other video services (e.g. VoD), video content is becoming a dominant traffic type in mobile networks and will soon form the major bulk of the traffic [1]. This poses a serious challenge to Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) when it comes to delivering video content to multiple users in a wireless environment, where...

Predictive handover protocols like FMIPv6 has been proposed to provide seamless handover to MNs with minimum handover latency and packet losses. An essential prerequisite of FMIPv6 protocol is the advance discovery of candidate access points while the MN is still connected to its Present Access Router, a process which is carried out by the underlyi...

Future generation networks are characterized by a high level of complexity and dynamicity due to a relevant level of heterogeneity in terms of nodes and devices as well as provided services. In this context, network operators face the challenge of managing this complexity, while lowering the operational expenses. Context awareness becomes a necessi...

In order to manage the mobility of Mobile Network, IETF has specified NEMO protocol. However, the standard NEMO solution does not specify any Route Optimization mechanism, as a result of which the data is always exchanged over a bi-directional tunnel maintained between the MNet and its respective Home Agent. This in-efficient routing of packets imp...

Fast and secure availability and retrieval of mission critical information for mobile emergency units over a public communication infrastructure is a key factor that determines the mission success during emergency situations. However, the uninterrupted and secure access to public authority databases by the emergency managers, while they are moving...

The success and efficiency of managing an emergency situation (such as rescue operation, fire fighting etc.) depends on enabling a system that would ensure the timely availability of high-quality and latest information to the emergency Mobile Units (MU). The system must ensure the provisioning of relevant information in a secure manner irrespective...

The present day challenge during emergency response is the lack of availability of latest and detailed information to the emergency personnel about the incident scene. The success of the fire mission planning depends critically on the ubiquitous availability of high-quality information (e.g., building plans, aerial photos, hazardous material databa...

In this chapter we have provided operational and functional details of a proposed protocol called MHD-CAR that has been designed in view of the stringent performance requirements imposed by fast moving MNs in terms of seamless and fast handovers in a heterogeneous wireless network environment. MHD-CAR optimises the standard CARD protocol in enablin...

Mobility management is one of the core requirements of the IPv6 based NGN to provide seamless handover services to mobile enti-ties. In this regard, IETF has proposed protocols like Mobile IPv6 (MIPv6), Fast MIPv6 (FMIPv6) and Hierarchical MIPv6 (HMIPv6) to provide efficient mobility services. Due to the lack of deploy-ment, there is not enough emp...

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IETF has proposed Fast Mobile IPv6 (FMIPv6) protocol, a seamless handover protocol, that reduces packet loss during the handover process by tunneling packets from the MN's previous IP subnet to the new IP subnet where they will get buffered. These buffered packets will get forwarded to the MN once it becomes IP capable in the new subnet. Although p...

To manage the mobility of mobile networks, IETF has proposed MIPv6 based network mobility (NEMO) Basic Support protocol. However the NEMO protocol has severe performance limitations and does not specify the route optimization method for mobile networks and does not take into account the operational and functional complexities involving nested mobil...

To manage the mobility of mobile networks, IETF has proposed MIPv6 based Network Mobility (NEMO) Basic Support protocol. However the NEMO protocol has severe performance limitations and does not specify the route optimization method for mobile networks and does not take into account the operational and functional complexities involving nested mobil...

First responders are suffering from insufficient information about the incident during alerting and operations at the scene itself. Particularly at major incident operations de- tailed and up-to-date multimedia information are indispens- able and have to be provided as fast and reliable as possi- ble to the rescue forces. Thus, challenging requirem...

Seamless IP mobility protocols like Fast Mobile IPv6 (FMIPv6) requires the knowledge of candidate access routers, to which the mobile node will hand over its connection to, well in advance while the mobile node is still connected to its current AR. The candidate access router discovery (CARD) protocol is one such protocol that provides the identity...

MIPv6 is the IPv6 based mobility management protocol and it is expected to become the mobility management protocol of choice for the Next Generation Wireless Access Networks. In order to develop the understanding of the protocol's behavior, its suitability for deploying in a wireless environment and in order to be able to propose and develop approp...

The WiMAX technology based on the IEEE802.16-d standard is a broadband wireless access (BWA) technology and considered to be an important ingredient of the composition of the next generation networks (NGN). Till date, due to lack of deployment, not enough data is available in terms of its operational capabilities and efficiencies. The main objectiv...

The transport of multimedia applications over mobile networks with an effective QoS poses a challenge due to noise, high error probability and lower data rates, the factors inherent to mobile environments. Due to better compression techniques and the ability to support wide range of data rates, and its independence from transport, network and physi...