Green Segment Routing

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Nils Aschenbruck; Professor Dr. Markus Chimani
• Subject Area: Security and Dependability, Operating-, Communication- and Distributed Systems ; Theoretical Computer Science
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 461207633

The optimal utilization of IT resources is an important challenge from an economic as well as an ecological viewpoint. In the area of telecommunications, research that addresses such challenges is called traffic engineering. This project addresses traffic engineering for single autonomous systems with the goal of energy optimization. This goal is approached by the use of segment routing. By using segment routing, packets can be steered via certain control points within a network. We see segment routing as a compromise between full control and simple shortest paths that can be implemented in practical networks. In this project, we will develop traffic engineering strategies by using segment routing. The main goal of the optimizations is energy efficiency, but without jeopardizing the robustness of the network. One fundamental challenge is the complexity to calculate exact solutions. Within our previous work, we have realized that traffic engineering via segment routing on typical topologies considering real-world constraints is close to practical computability. If we add energy efficiency as an additional constraint, we see big challenges in calculating exact solutions for practical scenarios. Thus, in this joint project, we will conduct algorithmic research as well as research on the practical applicability of segment routing with the goal of energy efficiency.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants