Putting Intelligence in the Network Edge Through NFV and Cloud Computing: The SESAME Approach.

The core challenges in the actual SESAME EU-funded project is to develop an ecosystem to sustain network infrastructure openness, built on the pillars of network functions virtualization (NFV), mobile-edge computing (MEC) capabilities and cognitive network management that will provide multi-tenancy and flexible cloud-network interaction with highly-predictable and flexible end-to-end performance characteristics. Based on this aspect, we discuss the potential benefits of including NFV and MEC in a modern mobile communications infrastructure, through Small Cells coordination and virtualization, also focused upon realistic 5G-oriented considerations. Within the proposed SESAME architecture, we also assess the various advantages coming from a more enhanced network operation and management of resources, as it appears with the incorporation of cognitive capabilities embracing knowledge and intelligence.