Application-layer traffic optimization in software-defined mobile networks: a proof-of-concept implementation

Integration of application layer traffic optimization (ALTO) in software-defined mobile networks could have several benefits for orchestration of endpoint selection for distributed services. ALTO can provide guidance, e.g., in the redirection of end users to appropriate in-network cache, content distribution network server or virtual network function instance during service chaining. ALTO service provides appropriate level of abstraction of network and cost maps, enforcing the policies of mobile network operator and optionally other actors, but keeping the privacy of network topology information. SDN controllers can enforce flow redirection and can dynamically provide abstracted network and cost maps to ALTO server. In this paper we present the operation of ALTO in software-defined networks from the point of view of mobile network operators, and describe our proof-of-concept implementation.