13-05-2014, 02:23 PM
Self-Organizing-Healing Paradigm for Mobile Networks
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Abstract:
Mobile communication has grown rapidly and with this growth comes heterogeneity due to multiple radio access technologies (RAT)
and varying network architectures. Networks have become very difficult, complex, time consuming, and costly to manage. The need for
operators to overcome these problems triggers this research on Self-Organizing -Healing Networks (SOHNs). More attention is now being
focused on Self-Organizing Networks (SONs) by international standardization organizations as one of the key technologies for combating some
of these complexities. Our research on SOHN focuses on the following functionalities; Self-organization, Self-configuration, Self-optimization,
and Self-healing. Recent researchers have concentrated on self-configuration and self-optimization with little work done in the area of Self-
organization and self-healing. This article highlights the four key functionalities, with emphasis on self-organization and self-healing.
Furthermore, a self-organizing-healing framework has been proposed, and possible research areas outlined.
INTRODUCTION
The introduction of new technologies and services in
wireless networks has brought about more complexities in
managing such networks. Current trends suggest a future of
highly heterogeneous networks as different radio access
technologies (RAT) such as GSM, Long Term Evolution
(LTE), EDGE, etc, network architectures and transmission
solutions will coexist. As expectations of customers on
quality of service (QoS) and wider network coverage
increase, network solution providers will strive to offer a
higher QoS at minimal cost in order to maximize profit.
More efficient strategies and algorithms have to be
incorporated in order to reduce operational expenditures
(OPEX). However, as the number of services, cell types, and
technologies grow, so thus complexities in network planning
and operation. To overcome these complexities, automation
of most procedures in the network is necessary, with a view
to having an autonomously managed network. Network
optimization therefore becomes very vital in the life cycle of
mobile systems. However, most network optimization and
fault management procedures are still being done manually
at present. An SON is a network that can self-configure,
self-optimize, and self-heal [1].
Overview of Self-Configuration:
Self-configuration process is defined as a process where
the newly deployed base stations (eNBs) are configured by
automatic installation procedures to get basic parameters
and download necessary software for operation [17].
Conversely, self-configuration can also be applicable where
failure cases combine with fast failure detection mechanisms
to provide automatic failure recovery or compensation
mechanisms. Self-configuration happens at the pre-
operational state. First, an eNB obtains its IP address and
that of the operation, administration, and management
(OAM) centre. It is then authenticated on the network after
which it obtains an access gateway (aGW). The next step
involves the eNB downloading the required software and
operational parameters. Lastly, the eNB configures the
neighbor list and information about coverage/capacity
parameters based on the downloaded information and enters
into operational state.
Self-Healing Concepts:
The need for self-healing arises when there is a problem
in a cell. Any situation that has a degrading effect on the
service is a problem, and there is no standardized way or
ways of identifying them. Self-configuring and Self-healing
wireless networks implement two (2) major mechanisms,
namely; route discovery between node pairs and current
topology update. This is done by first detecting link failures
followed by optimizing routes obtained through discovery.
The discovery can be proactive, in which case routes
between any pair of nodes are periodically sought, or on-
demand, when only certain routes are required. Different
operators use different parameters or measurements; and any
measurement whose observed value might help in fault
identification is termed a solution.
CONCLUSION
While SON has been identified as one of the key
technologies for minimizing OPEX in future wireless
networks, Our SOHN attempt to mitigate all factors working
against Network’s optimum performance. In this article, we
have attempted to unify the concepts of SON, combine self-
organization, self-healing to other functionalities to peep
into the future mobile networks that can self-exist (SOHN).
Most of the work in self-healing has been carried out in the
framework of European research projects, such as
SOCRATES. Articles are limited, and even the available
ones emphasize on specific aspects of self-healing. In SON,
the first operational state is known, the configuration/
reconfiguration of the state happened in the course of
operation, when a fault is detected.