The Wireless Network Cloud (WNC) [1] is a novel network architecture where wireless basestations
are implemented as software modules and multiple base-stations are consolidated to
a single centralized computing platform. Due to the time-varying and random nature of basestation
traffic, consolidation leads to multiplexing of statistically-varying basestation loads on
a common hardware platform. In turn, this can lead to significant hardware reduction in the
consolidated platform as compared to the distributed network. This paper represents the first
analysis of this consolidation gain. Through traffic simulation experiments, we quantify the
extent and variation of this multiplexing gain in a WiMAX base- station network in different
traffic conditions. We show experimentally, that the obtained gain increases linearly with network
size (number of base-stations). Further, we also show that the consolidation gain is higher
when the consolidated base-stations face higher traffic intensity.
By: Mukundan Madhavan, Parul Gupta and Malolan Chetlur
Published in: RI11021 in 2011
LIMITED DISTRIBUTION NOTICE:
This Research Report is available. This report has been submitted for publication outside of IBM and will probably be copyrighted if accepted for publication. It has been issued as a Research Report for early dissemination of its contents. In view of the transfer of copyright to the outside publisher, its distribution outside of IBM prior to publication should be limited to peer communications and specific requests. After outside publication, requests should be filled only by reprints or legally obtained copies of the article (e.g., payment of royalties). I have read and understand this notice and am a member of the scientific community outside or inside of IBM seeking a single copy only.
Questions about this service can be mailed to reports@us.ibm.com .