Network-Assisted Delivery of Adaptive Video Streaming Services through CDN, SDN, and MEC

Core Concepts

The thesis explores Network-Assisted Video Streaming solutions to enhance Quality of Experience (QoE) in adaptive video streaming services.

Abstract

The content introduces the dissertation by Reza Farahani on Network-Assisted Delivery of Adaptive Video Streaming Services through CDN, SDN, and MEC. It includes acknowledgments, an abstract discussing the dominance of video traffic on the internet, a table of contents outlining various chapters, and a general introduction highlighting the motivation behind exploring Network-Assisted Video Streaming solutions. The introduction discusses the rise in video traffic online and the transition to higher resolutions like 8K. It emphasizes the importance of QoE in video streaming services and introduces HAS-based systems as a solution but points out limitations in pure client-based approaches. The content then delves into technical background information on HTTP Adaptive Streaming (HAS), Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), Peer-to-Peer (P2P) networks, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), Service Function Chaining (SFC), and Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC). Related work is also discussed to highlight gaps in existing literature. Chapters are outlined for edge- and SDN-assisted frameworks for HAS, SFC-enabled architecture for HAS, collaborative edge-assisted frameworks for HAS, and hybrid P2P-CDN architectures for HAS. Each chapter discusses system designs, optimization problems, performance evaluations, notations used, action trees or workflows implemented, evaluation results comparing different approaches in terms of QoE metrics like playback bitrate, quality switches, stalls, network utilization, etc.

Stats

According to Cisco's Annual Internet Report: "video traffic will make up more than 60% of the entire IP network traffic by 2023." Over 270 Exabytes per month of VoD and live video were streamed by 2022. Live video streaming is expected to account for more than 17% of total video traffic by 2023.

Quotes

"I would like to dedicate this thesis to my loving parents and my wife." - Reza Farahani

Key Insights Distilled From

Network-Assisted Delivery of Adaptive Video Streaming Services through CDN, SDN, and MEC

by Reza Farahan... at arxiv.org 03-26-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2403.16951.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can emerging protocols impact the design of NAVS systems?

Emerging protocols, such as QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) and HTTP/3, can have a significant impact on the design of Network-Assisted Video Streaming (NAVS) systems. These protocols offer improvements in terms of reduced latency, increased security, and better efficiency in handling network congestion. By leveraging these protocols, NAVS systems can enhance the delivery of video content by optimizing data transmission between servers and clients. QUIC, for example, is designed to provide faster connections and improved reliability compared to traditional TCP-based connections. Its ability to multiplex multiple streams over a single connection can lead to more efficient use of network resources and reduced latency for video streaming services. Incorporating QUIC into NAVS systems can result in smoother playback experiences for users by minimizing buffering times and ensuring consistent quality throughout the streaming session. Similarly, HTTP/3 with its underlying transport protocol - QUIC - offers benefits like improved performance over unreliable networks due to its built-in error correction mechanisms. This can be particularly advantageous for live video streaming scenarios where real-time delivery is crucial. By adopting these emerging protocols within NAVS architectures, service providers can deliver high-quality video content with lower latency and higher reliability.

What are the challenges in ensuring sustainable NAVS HAS systems?

Ensuring sustainable Network-Assisted Video Streaming (NAVS) HAS systems involves addressing several challenges related to scalability, resource optimization, QoE maintenance, and environmental impact: Scalability: As the demand for video streaming continues to grow exponentially, NAVS HAS systems must be able to scale efficiently to accommodate increasing numbers of users without compromising performance or quality. Resource Optimization: Efficient utilization of network resources such as bandwidth capacity and server availability is essential for sustaining NAVS HAS systems. Optimizing caching strategies,... 3....

How can collaboration between edge servers improve users' QoE compared to traditional approaches?

Collaboration between edge servers plays a crucial role in enhancing users' Quality of Experience (QoE) compared to traditional approaches by enabling localized processing,...