A survey on Wireless Software Defined Networks - WSDN

Master Thesis
Author
Μουρτίκας, Θεοφάνης
Mourtikas, Theofanis
Date
2018Advisor
Δεμέστιχας, ΠαναγιώτηςView/ Open
Keywords
SDN ; Wireless communications ; Wireless networksAbstract
In this thesis, we present and analyze the software defined network architecture as a new concept that addresses the emerging need of new network architecture derived from diversification of traffic patterns, emergence of personal IT devices, cloud computing, and big data. We present the limitations of existing networks against these new challenges and provide detailed information about the Openflow protocol that may address these limitations. Based on the detailed examination of the Openflow protocol we examine the literature relative to advancements in application of Openflow to wireless networks. Wireless Software Defined Networks (Wireless SDN) use cases are examined relative to wireless network type, namely WLAN, WiMAX, cellular networks, mesh and wireless sensor networks. Each network type is thoroughly examined in terms of current limitations and the opportunities presented by SDN in wireless topologies are addressed. Next several proposals are presented, according to the literature, relative to the future of wireless network in the era of SDN.