An Architecture for Provisioning In-Network Computing-Enabled Slices for Holographic Applications in Next-Generation Networks

Applications such as holographic concerts are now emerging. However, their provisioning remains highly challenging. Requirements such as high bandwidth and ultra-low latency are still very challenging for the current network infrastructure. In-network computing (INC) is an emerging paradigm that enables the distribution of computing tasks across the network instead of computing on servers outside the network. It aims at tackling these two challenges. This article advocates the use of the INC paradigm to tackle holographic applications' high bandwidth and low latency challenges instead of the edge computing paradigm that has been used so far. Slicing brings flexibility to next-generation networks by enabling the deployment of applications/verticals with different requirements on the same network infrastructure. We propose an architecture that enables the provisioning of INC-enabled slices for holographic-type application deployment. The architecture is validated through a proof of concept and extensive simulations. Our experimental results show that INC significantly outperforms edge computing when it comes to these two key challenges. In addition, low jitter was maintained to preserve the hologram's stability.

Automated summary

This article advocates the use of in-network computing (INC) paradigm to tackle the high bandwidth and low latency challenges of holographic applications, instead of the previously used edge computing paradigm. An architecture is proposed for provisioning INC-enabled slices for holographic-type application deployment, which is validated through a proof of concept and extensive simulations. Experimental results show that INC outperforms edge computing in addressing these key challenges, while maintaining low jitter for hologram stability.