Survivable Virtual Network Embedding with Resource Sharing and Optimization

Network virtualization allows to establishing multiple independent logical networks through resource sharing of the underlying substrate network. To ensure optimal deployment of virtual networks, one has to find an effective mapping between logical resources claimed by the virtual networks and the physical resources belonging to the substrate network. This mapping problem, called VNE (Virtual Network Embedding), is NP complete, and is extensively treated in the literature. To ensure service continuity even after a failure, the virtual networks must implement protection. One of the major issues and challenges is to optimize the resources allocated in the substrate network for the purpose of the protection of virtual networks. In this paper, we first present the main VNE approaches and the traditional network protection schemes. We then provide a synthetic and critical analysis of methods to protect virtual networks.