RIPPLE: Lifecycle-aware Embedding of Service Function Chains in Multi-access Edge Computing

2026-02-03

AI Summary

This work addresses the challenge of frequent service function chain (SFC) reconfigurations in multi-access edge computing caused by user mobility, which, when combined with the time-consuming lifecycle operations of virtual network functions (VNFs), can severely degrade service quality if their dynamics are ignored. The paper presents the first joint modeling of VNF lifecycle dynamics and user mobility prediction, proposing a proactive SFC deployment and reconfiguration approach. By forecasting connectivity changes and integrating uncertainty-aware modeling with resource scheduling optimization, the method enables lifecycle-aware SFC embedding. Experimental results demonstrate that, under realistic VNF lifecycle constraints, the proposed scheme significantly reduces service disruption and achieves performance close to that of an idealized instantaneous deployment benchmark.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Scheduling under Uncertainty
• Machine Learning: Learning on the Edge & Model Compression
• Search and Optimization: Mixed Discrete/Continuous Search

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Virtualization and resource management in Web systems and infrastructures
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: On-Device user modeling, personalization, and recommendation
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs

Abstract

In Multi-access Edge Computing networks, services can be deployed on nearby edge clouds (EC) as service function chains (SFCs) to meet strict quality of service (QoS) requirements. As users move, frequent SFC reconfigurations are required, but these are non-trivial: SFCs can serve users only when all required virtual network functions (VNFs) are available, and VNFs undergo time-consuming lifecycle operations before becoming operational. We show that ignoring lifecycle dynamics oversimplifies deployment, jeopardizes QoS, and must be avoided in practical SFC management. To address this, forecasts of user connectivity can be leveraged to proactively deploy VNFs and reconfigure SFCs. But forecasts are inherently imperfect, requiring lifecycle and connectivity uncertainty to be jointly considered. We present RIPPLE, a lifecycle-aware SFC embedding approach to deploy VNFs at the right time and location, reducing service interruptions. We show that RIPPLE closes the gap with solutions that unrealistically assume instantaneous lifecycle, even under realistic lifecycle constraints.

Problem

• Service Function Chain
• Multi-access Edge Computing
• Virtual Network Function
• Lifecycle Management
• Quality of Service

Innovation

• lifecycle-aware
• service function chain
• multi-access edge computing
• VNF deployment
• proactive embedding