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Due to the fact that the current variability of services is brought by the current networks and the new possibilities that will appear thanks to the near-future networks, Network Slicing has become one of the key elements to allow the co-existence of multiple computing and transportservices with different requirements (i.e., performance, security, isolation) over the same infrastructure in multi-tenant and multi-domain (i.e., edge, transport, core) scenarios. The use of this and other technologies allow to have only one generic infrastructure (e.g., an optical transport domain) despite the services differences, instead of needing specific resources (e.g., on single optical fiber) for each type of service. Multiple works have been published about Network Slicing, Network Function Virtualization and Software Defined Networks using multiple computing and transport domains but, based on our literature research, there is one important aspect with a low amount of attention: the security management around network slices and their enforcement. It is essential to ensure that the expected Quality of Security (QoSec) is accomplished based on the correct deployment and posterior monitoring of the security metrics defined in the agreed Security Service Level Agreement (SSLA) between the service requester and the provider. This article aims to present an architecture designed to manage and control the life-cycle of secured End-to-End (E2E) network slices involving multiple domains based on the SSLA requirements. The security management architecture is described with its components together with the deployment and monitoring processes and the data objects used. Finally, an experimental validation is described using the use case of a DoS attack scenario and its resolution. © 2022 Elsevier Inc.

We describe the outcome of a data challenge conducted as part of the Dark Machines (https://www.darkmachines.org) initiative and the Les Houches 2019 workshop on Physics at TeV colliders. The challenged aims to detect signals of new physics at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) using unsupervised machine learning algorithms. First, we propose how an anomaly score could be implemented to define model-independent signal regions in LHC searches. We define and describe a large benchmark dataset, consisting of > 1 billion simulated LHC events corresponding to 10 fb−1 of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. We then review a wide range of anomaly detection and density estimation algorithms, developed in the context of the data challenge, and we measure their performance in a set of realistic analysis environments. We draw a number of useful conclusions that will aid the development of unsupervised new physics searches during the third run of the LHC, and provide our benchmark dataset for future studies at https://www.phenoMLdata.org. Code to reproduce the analysis is provided at https://github.com/bostdiek/DarkMachines-UnsupervisedChallenge. Copyright © T. Aarrestad et al.

We demonstrate zero-touch device bootstrapping, monitoring, and L3-VPN service management using the novel TeraFlow OS SDN controller prototype. TeraFlow aims at producing a cloud-native carrier-grade SDN controller offering scalability, extensibility, high-performance, and high-availability features.

According to the ever-increasing bandwidth pressure and hyperconnectivity, as particularly experienced during recent times, the metro area network (MAN) is a crucial segment to address the related challenges and requirements efficiently in terms of cost, power consumption and footprint. Recently proposed modular programmable photonic system architectures for enabling Tb/s connectivity in dynamic and agile MANs are presented. Special focus is devoted to S-BVT using vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) characterized by high modulation bandwidth and able to operate at long wavelengths and particularly within the C-band. Spectrum and space dimensions are considered to enable multi- Tb/s capacity. This approach combined with photonic integration, modularity and software defined networking (SDN) allows to obtain scalable architectures for future disaggregated optical metro networks. Programmability aspects and recent results achieved in a real network testbed are reported., Grant numbers : AURORAS - Autonomic and disaggregated optical networks leveraging edge computing and photonic technologies (RTI2018-099178-B-I00) project.

This paper presents a beyond 5G fronthaul network with dynamic beamforming and -steering. The proposed fronthaul solution deploys optical beamforming (OBF) by combining space division multiplexing (SDM), analogue radio-over-fiber (ARoF), and the novel optical beam forming network (OBFN) technologies. From the service management and orchestration (MANO) point of view, the proposed fronthaul solution also deploys an advanced software defined networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) control and orchestration architecture developed with the goal to optimally manage and reconfigure the physical layer resources (i.e., optical and radio) at the central office and cell sites (i.e., pool of baseband units (BBUs), remote radio heads (RRHs), ARoF transceivers and OBFNs). The proposed beyond 5G fronthaul architecture is primarily oriented to deploy massive machine-type communication (mMTC) services with high-bandwidth requirements, such as for industry 4.0. In this paper we experimentally validate the novel OBFN system, and the dynamic SDN/NFV MANO of the transport connectivity and network services for optical beamforming. The obtained experimental results show that the overall delay for the provisioning and removal of an OBF service, considering the contribution of the involved optical and radio systems and the SDN/NFV MANO layer, is 134s and 18s respectively. The reconfiguration of the OBF service to add or remove a beam can be performed in the range of 65-87s. © 1995-2012 IEEE.

The need of telecommunications operators to reduce Capital and Operational Expenditures in networks which traffic is continuously growing has made them search for new alternatives to simplify and automate their procedures. Because of the different transport network segments and multiple layers, the deployment of end-to-end services is a complex task. Also, because of the multiple vendor existence, the control plane has not been fully homogenized, making end-to-end connectivity services a manual and slow process, and the allocation of computing resources across the entire network a difficult task. The new massive capacity requested by Data Centers and the new 5G connectivity services will urge for a better solution to orchestrate the transport network and the distributed computing resources. This article presents and demonstrates a Network Slicing solution together with an end-to-end service orchestration for transport networks. The Network Slicing solution permits the co-existence of virtual networks (one per service) over the same physical network to ensure the specific service requirements. The network orchestrator allows automated end-to-end services across multi-layer multi-domain network segments making use of the standard Transport API (TAPI) data model for both l0 and l2 layers. Both solutions will allow to keep up with beyond 5G services and the higher and faster demand of network and computing resources. Copyright © 2021 The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers

Network operators cannot change their foot-print to upgrade the entire network to support SDN from scratch. Hence, network operators adapted the original SDN concept into a hybrid SDN approach to have a pragmatic, evolutionary, and economically viable solution. This article tests an SDN architecture based on a hierarchical structure of a Software-Defined Transport Networking (SDTN) controller, which deals with the end-to-end service provision and topology collection on top of a set of SDN controllers for each technological domain. The authors demonstrate L3/L2 VPN service deployment using an underlay multi-domain IP/Optical network in a field trial. The approach allows a service provider to migrate brownfield scenarios into SDN domains using programmatic interfaces. © 2021 IEEE.

To meet the requirements of 5G high capacity optical metro networks, a programmable disaggregated multi-dimensional sliceable bandwidth/bitrate variable transceiver (S-BVT) is proposed. Specifically, transceiver multi-dimensionality is presented exploiting spatial, polarization, and spectral information as a solution to support network capacity and bandwidth scaling 5G requirements. Space division multiplexing is implemented by considering a 19-core multicore fiber enabling capacity scaling with the number of cores, whereas polarization division multiplexing is assessed enabling 50% spectral saving by considering two orthogonal polarization components. Finally, by the implementation of multi-band transmission systems, the optical bandwidth can be increased by a factor of 10, compared to a conventional C-band system. In these last two cases, the existing spectrum and network infrastructure can be reused, bringing new capabilities. In particular, in this work, multi-band transmission is assessed by exploiting the C-band and L-band. Additionally, disaggregation is also addressed at the transceiver level to enhance network flexibility, avoiding vendor lock-in while achieving efficiency and cost reduction. Disaggregation enables assembling open components, devices, and sub-systems into optical infrastructures and networks. On the other hand, the adoption of the software defined networking paradigm enables system/network programmability and reconfigurability, promoting an efficient use of the multi-dimensional network resources. Therefore, in this work, we analyze and experimentally demonstrate different S-BVT advanced functionalities suitable to support the stringent network requirements of 5G. These capabilities include rate/distance adaptability, programmability/configurability, disaggregation, and multi-dimensionality. Different network scenarios have been considered to assess the S-BVT functionalities, enabling Tb/s optical transmission. © 2009-2012 OSA.

Vehicles will be wirelessly connected in the future, and they will be able to exchange information with other vehicles and their surroundings for safer and more efficient driving. 5G communication systems have introduced advanced functionalities and radio solutions to support connected, cooperative, and automated mobility (CCAM) services with demanding quality of service requirements. However, interoperability among involved stakeholders, seamless connectivity, and the uninterrupted delivery of real-time services across borders are issues that should be carefully analyzed for the realization of cross-border CCAM services. This article provides an overview of key standardization bodies by analyzing recent work on key technologies to provide cross-border connectivity services for CCAM. Standardization gaps and regulatory barriers that may affect fast and efficient adoption of 5G-enabled CCAM services are also discussed. © 2017 IEEE.

Network operators are facing a critical issue on their optical transport networks to deploy 5G$+$+ and Internet of Things services. They need to address the capacity increase by a factor of 10, while keeping a similar cost per user. Over the past years, network operators have been working on the optical disaggregated approach with great interest for achieving the required efficiency and cost reduction. In particular, partially disaggregated optical networks make it possible to decouple the transponders from the transport system (known as an open line system) that are provided by different vendors. On the other hand, space division multiplexing (SDM) has been proposed as the key technology to overcome the capacity crunch that the optical standard single-mode fibers are facing to support the forecasted $10 \times$10× growth. Spatial core switching is gaining interest because it makes it possible to deploy SDM networks to bypass the overloaded wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) networks, by provisioning spatial media channels between WDM nodes. This paper presents, to the best of our knowledge, the first experimental demonstration of transport-application-programming-interface-enabled software defined networking control architecture for partially disaggregated multi-domain and multi-layer (WDM over SDM) optical networks. © 2009-2012 OSA.

Network slicing will permit offering to vertical customers tailored end-to-end logical networks in an on-demand fashion, on top of a common telecom infrastructure, achieving a Slices-as-a-Service (SlaaS) business model. This is possible due to the progressive introduction of network softwarization techniques, such as programmability and virtualization, into existing operational networks, enabling dynamic and flexible provision of slices. Those vertical customers could require the control not only of the network functions composing the end-to-end service, but also of the connectivity among them, e.g., for influencing the paths for steering traffic among function instances. However, this can be problematic since decisions from one vertical customer can collide with decisions from others. One aspect not yet sufficiently investigated is how to permit vertical customers to jointly control the service functions and the underlay connectivity, in such a way that could operate the allocated slice as if it was actually a dedicated network entirely for them. This paper explores some architectural proposition in this respect illustrated with some potential use cases and it provides an example of the provision of SlaaS for a vertical customer. © 2021, The Author(s).

Network operators have been dealing with the necessity of a dynamic network resources allocation to provide a new generation of customer-tailored applications. In that sense, Telecom providers have to migrate their BSS/OSS systems and network infrastructure to more modern solutions to introduce end-to-end automation and support the new use cases derived from the 5G adoption and transport network slices. In general, there is a joint agreement on making this transition to an architecture defined by programmable interfaces and standard protocols. Hence, this paper uses the iFusion architecture to control and program the network infrastructure. The work presents an experimental validation of the network slicing instantiation in an IP/Optical environment using a set of standard protocols and interfaces. The work provides results of the creation, modification and deletion of the network slices. Furthermore, it demonstrates the usage of standard communication protocols (Netconf and Restconf) in combination with standard YANG data models. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

Software-defined networking (SDN) and disaggregation are key technologies to fulfill the requirements of 5G and beyond optical metro networks. Indeed, open networking solutions will reduce vendor lock-in, achieving increased flexibility and programmability of the network. SDN-enabled sliceable bandwidth/bitrate variable transceivers (S-BVTs) are proposed to be adopted in metro networks in order to provide sustainable capacity growth and hyper-scalability, while enabling disaggregation and network flexibility/reconfigurability. We propose a transceiver modular approach following a pay-as-you grow model, which allows the S-BVT to be adapted to the traffic demand and network requirements. In fact, the S-BVT solution can be seen as a set of bandwidth/bitrate variable transceivers (BVTs) that can be pluggable and multi-vendor. Hence, SDN agents have been developed based on an OpenConfig vendor-neutral data model in order to efficiently reconfigure the S-BVTs fostering network agility and adaptability. Specifically, an optimized agent implementation is experimentally validated in order to increase the network efficiency and reduce the setup configuration time of an optical channel. Two slices/BVTs of 50 Gb/s each are successfully enabled and programmed to establish a high capacity flow of 100 Gb/s. The cost/power consumption of the proposed solution, based on direct detection (DD), is analyzed showing significant savings compared to 100 Gb/s coherent (CO) technology. © 1983-2012 IEEE.

Studies exploring gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are scarce and contradictory. This study evaluated gender differences in HRQOL of 744 PLWHA with median (IQR) age 44 (37-48) years and HIV infection diagnosed 12 (5-20) years earlier. Results showed important differences between genders (p < .05). Better male physical health was related to being employed, not having economic worries, not receiving psychological support, not having injected drugs in past, low negative mood HIV-related, low HIV illness representation and internalized stigma, and high body image satisfaction and health behavior. For women, variables were fewer years since HIV diagnosis and low enacted stigma-personal experience of rejection. Mentally, variables in men were being employed, not having injected drugs, having a stable partner, high health behavior, use of problem-solving coping, personal autonomy and personal meaning. In women, better mental health was related to high CD4 cells, self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and negative mood HIV-related. Men and women coincided in absence of past opportunistic infections being related to better physical and mental health, and absence of side effects for physical health and low HIV-related stress and HIV illness representation for mental health. Our results highlight the need for detailed study of gender differences that identify the bio-psycho-socio inequalities that affect HRQOL.

Studies exploring gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are scarce and contradictory. This study evaluated gender differences in HRQOL of 744 PLWHA with median (IQR) age 44 (37-48) years and HIV infection diagnosed 12 (5-20) years earlier. Results showed important differences between genders (p < .05). Better male physical health was related to being employed, not having economic worries, not receiving psychological support, not having injected drugs in past, low negative mood HIV-related, low HIV illness representation and internalized stigma, and high body image satisfaction and health behavior. For women, variables were fewer years since HIV diagnosis and low enacted stigma-personal experience of rejection. Mentally, variables in men were being employed, not having injected drugs, having a stable partner, high health behavior, use of problem-solving coping, personal autonomy and personal meaning. In women, better mental health was related to high CD4 cells, self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and negative mood HIV-related. Men and women coincided in absence of past opportunistic infections being related to better physical and mental health, and absence of side effects for physical health and low HIV-related stress and HIV illness representation for mental health. Our results highlight the need for detailed study of gender differences that identify the bio-psycho-socio inequalities that affect HRQOL.

Studies exploring gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are scarce and contradictory. This study evaluated gender differences in HRQOL of 744 PLWHA with median (IQR) age 44 (37-48) years and HIV infection diagnosed 12 (5-20) years earlier. Results showed important differences between genders (p < .05). Better male physical health was related to being employed, not having economic worries, not receiving psychological support, not having injected drugs in past, low negative mood HIV-related, low HIV illness representation and internalized stigma, and high body image satisfaction and health behavior. For women, variables were fewer years since HIV diagnosis and low enacted stigma-personal experience of rejection. Mentally, variables in men were being employed, not having injected drugs, having a stable partner, high health behavior, use of problem-solving coping, personal autonomy and personal meaning. In women, better mental health was related to high CD4 cells, self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and negative mood HIV-related. Men and women coincided in absence of past opportunistic infections being related to better physical and mental health, and absence of side effects for physical health and low HIV-related stress and HIV illness representation for mental health. Our results highlight the need for detailed study of gender differences that identify the bio-psycho-socio inequalities that affect HRQOL.

We experimentally demonstrate transparent and dynamic delivery of mobile front-/back-haul in converged optical metro architecture, employing software-defined networking enabled sliceable bandwidth variable transceivers based on adaptive multicarrier modulation. The proposed architecture is specifically tailored for a transparent services delivery across the access and metro network segments. Therefore, several challenges are discussed, such as functional split requirements and bidirectional transmission (duplex) over these different segments. In order to prove the validity of this concept, network experiments have been carried out in a hybrid metro/access testbed. Results show successful connectivity at distances up to 175 km, including the access segment, and capacities beyond 20 Gb/s per flow. © 2018 IEEE.

New trends and emerging requirements have driven the development of extensions to the path computation element (PCE) architecture beyond the computation of a set of constrained routes and associated resources between endpoints, given a network topology. Such extensions involve the use of a PCE for the control of network services, in which deploying a PCE as a centralized network controller facilitates the adoption of software-defined networking (SDN) principles while allowing a progressive migration of already existing deployments. A key requirement for the adoption of centralized control solutions is the ability to deploy a resilient, secure, dynamically configurable, adaptive, and highly available (virtualized) infrastructure supporting end-To-end services, including critical and vertical ones. Part of this infrastructure is the control plane functional elements (e.g., controllers), and the use of network function virtualization (NFV) is a enabler for the high availability of such elements while additionally reducing OPEX and CAPEX. NFV provides a feature-complete framework for the replication of software components that is a straightforward and commonly adopted approach to address the aforementioned requirement, but it implies the need for timely synchronization of databases between replicas. In this paper we present, implement, and validate an architecture for PCE and SDN control high availability, combining the virtualization of the control function by means of dynamic replication and the timely synchronization of their internal state using the PCEP and BGP-LS protocols. We experimentally validate the approach with a testbed, including a GMPLS/PCE control plane, and a replica management system implemented following the ETSI NFV framework, using the OpenStack cloud management software. © 2009-2012 OSA.

The rise of new types of business models with service providers, content providers, and virtual network operators entering in competition with traditional telco operators is reducing revenue margins, making cost-effective provisioning mechanism a necessity. Costly massive overprovisioning needs thus to be replaced by more intelligent dynamic resource allocation. In addition, it is increasingly recognized that many upcoming 5G applications and services will require assured end-to-end quality of service. Operators have thus started to look at network function virtualization and software-defined networks (SDNs) as means to address the challenges of cost-effective and highly dynamic end-to-end provisioning. In this paper we present a test case of an SDN-driven end-to-end service orchestration using a transport API called the control orchestration protocol. Our testbed, interconnecting a core network (within the Telefonica premises in Madrid) and an access network (within the Trinity College of Dublin facilities), demonstrates the possibility to operate sub-second end-to-end capacity reservation, showcasing SDN provisioning across multi-domain networks. © 2017 Optical Society of America.

This papers proposes the usage of Control Orchestration Protocol (COP) as an East-West interface in order to interconnect different SDN controllers (peer model) through multiple administrative domains. An experimental validation of network connectivity provisioning is presented in an international testbed.

We present and experimentally assess a multi-tenant network slicing architecture that dynamically provides 5G slices (virtual network and cloud resources, and virtualized network functions) and SDN/NFV control instances for a full control of allocated resources as if they were real.

Item does not contain fulltext OBJECTIVE: Understanding the effects of antiretroviral treatment (ART) interruption on neurocognition and quality of life (QoL) are important for managing unplanned interruptions and planned interruptions in HIV cure research. DESIGN: Children previously randomized to continuous (continuous ART, n = 41) vs. planned treatment interruption (PTI, n = 47) in the Pediatric European Network for Treatment of AIDS (PENTA) 11 study were enrolled. At study end, PTI children resumed ART. At 1 and 2 years following study end, children were assessed by the coding, symbol search and digit span subtests of Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (6-16 years old) or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (>/=17 years old) and by Pediatrics QoL questionnaires for physical and psychological QoL. Transformed scaled scores for neurocognition and mean standardized scores for QoL were compared between arms by t-test and Mann-Whitney U test, respectively. Scores indicating clinical concern were compared (

We propose a multi-domain resource broker to dynamically provision multi-domain virtual optical networks across heterogeneous control domains (i.e., GMPLS and OpenFlow) and transport (i.e., optical packet switching and elastic optical networks) technologies. We have designed, implemented, and experimentally evaluated the multi-domain resource broker in an international test-bed across Spain, the UK, and Japan.

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a clinical entity defined as the triad of nonimmune haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopenia, and acute renal failure, in which the underlying lesions are mediated by systemic thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Different causes can induce the TMA process that characterizes HUS. In this document we consider atypical HUS (aHUS) a sub-type of HUS in which the TMA phenomena are the consequence of the endotelial damage in the microvasculature of the kidneys and other organs due to a disregulation of the activity of the complement system. In recent years, a variety of aHUs-related mutations have been identified in genes of the the complement system, which can explain approximately 60% of the aHUS cases, and a number of mutations and polymorphisms have been functionally characterized. These findings have stablished that aHUS is a consequence of the insufficient regulation of the activiation of the complement on cell surfaces, leading to endotelial damage mediated by C5 and the complement terminal pathway. Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activation of C5 and blocks the generation of the pro-inflammatory molecule C5a and the formation of the cell membrane attack complex. In prospective studies in patients with aHUS, the use of Eculizumab has shown a fast and sustained interruption of the TMA process and it has been associated with significative long-term improvements in renal function, the interruption of plasma therapy and important reductions in the need of dialysis. According to the existing literature and the accumulated clinical experience, the Spanish aHUS Group published a consensus document with recommendations for the treatment of aHUs (Nefrologia 2013;33[1]:27-45). In the current online version of this document, we update the aetiological classification of TMAs, the pathophysiology of aHUS, its differential diagnosis and its therapeutic management. (C) 2015 Sociedad Espanola de Nefrologia. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.

Optical transport networks provide transport, multiplexing, routing, management, supervision, and survivability of optical channels. Within a flexible dense wavelength division multiplexing grid, the optical spectrum can be allocated in multiples of a width granularity, depending on the client signal rate and modulation format. A control plane (CP) can be used for efficient and dynamic provisioning and recovery of flexi-grid connections. Two main CP architectures coexist, with common functions like addressing, automatic topology discovery, network abstraction, path computation, and connection provisioning: a distributed generalized multiprotocol label switching CP (with optional path computation element, PCE path computation and instantiation/modification) and a CP based on software-defined networking, with a logically centralized controller and an open protocol, such as the OpenFlow protocol. Both architectures have their own strengths and weaknesses, and are being extended to address the new requirements associated with the aforementioned emerging optical technologies, such as flexible spectrum allocation, efficient corouted connection setup, and configuration of related optical parameters. However, new use cases such as remote data center interconnection highlight the need for multidomain service provisioning, and heterogeneous CP interworking, potentially requiring an overarching control. Different alternatives, with varying degrees of integration and flexibility, are available: straightforward approaches characterized by the adaptation of one control model to the other or more advanced interworking requiring the definition of common models (e.g., a subset of attributes for network elements) and of coordination and orchestration functions. This paper discusses the main relevant interworking architectures and presents a selected set of use cases and proof-of-concepts. © 2015 IEEE.

In any dynamic control plane architecture targeting connection-oriented networks, the path computation function can be defined as the one that deals with obtaining a route for a given request or, equivalently, with finding appropriate resources to be allocated to new incoming flows within the network, given the knowledge of the network status, its topology and resource availability, and the applicable constraints and policies. The path computation function can be located in a network management system or in one or more network elements. In the scope of a distributed control plane such as multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) and generalized MPLS, such a function is commonly located either in a process running on each node controller (referred to as source routing) or deployed using a dedicated entity. To this end, the Internet Engineering Task Force defines a path computation element (PCE) as a control plane functional component which is able to perform constrained path computation on a graph representing a network. This paper provides an overview of PCEs and elaborates on selected aspects regarding the deployment and use of PCEs as a functional element in the framework of control and management of optical networks, highlighting the motivations behind their adoption, common deployment models, and related testbed experimentation. The paper also briefly explores new trends such as the extensions for the so-called stateful PCEs and the role of PCEs in software defined networks.

A path computation element (PCE) is briefly defined as a control plane functional component (physical or logical) that is able to perform constrained path computation on a graph representing (a subset of) a network. A stateful PCE is a PCE that is able to consider the set of active connections, and its development is motivated by the fact that such knowledge enables the deployment of improved, more efficient algorithms. Additionally, a stateful PCE is said to be active if it is also able to affect (modify or suggest the modification of) the state of such connections. A stateful active PCE is thus able not only to use the knowledge of the active connections as available information during the computation, but also to reroute existing ones, resulting in a more efficient use of resources and the ability to dynamically arrange and reoptimize the network. An OpenFlow controller is a logically centralized entity that implements a control plane and configures the forwarding plane of the underlying network devices using the OpenFlow protocol. From a control plane perspective, an OpenFlow controller and the aforementioned stateful PCE have several functions in common, for example, in what concerns network topology or connection management. That said, both entities also complement each other, since a PCE is responsible mainly for path computation accessible via an open, standard, and flexible protocol, and the OpenFlow controller assumes the task of the actual data plane forwarding provisioning. In other words, the stateful PCE becomes active by virtue of relying on an OpenFlow controller for the establishment of connections. In this framework, the integration of both entities presents an opportunity allowing a return on investment, reduction of operational expenses, and reduction of time to market, resulting in an efficient approach to operate transport networks. In this paper, we detail the design, implementation, and experimental evaluation of a centralized control plane based on a stateful PCE, acting as an OpenFlow controller, targeting the control and management of optical networks. We detail the extensions to both the OpenFlow and the PCE communication protocol (PCEP), addressing the requirements of elastic optical networks as well as the system performance, obtained when deployed in a laboratory trial.

In this paper we propose a more cost-efficient alternative to current transport network technologies (SONET/SDH) based on the high-bandwidth transport and deterministic performance of the optical circuit technologies (i.e., WSON) along with the efficient aggregation and statistical multiplexing of a packet transport technology (i.e.. MPLS-TP) to support IP and Ethernet services. The purpose is to achieve cost reductions, simplified operations and flexible scalability in transport networks. We present the architectural design, implementation and the performance evaluation of the forwarding capabilities of a MPLS-TP/PWE3 node with integrated 10 Gbps tunable DWDM transponders, extending the GMPLS-enabled WSON transport network of the ADRENALINE Testbed. The node has been implemented using commercial off-the-shelf hardware and the forwarding engine has been implemented using open source software. An evaluation of the node is provided by means of analyzing the obtained throughput and CPU usage in different evaluation scenarios with different traffic grooming and traffic aggregation strategies. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

We present and evaluate the network virtualization architecture of the ADRENALINE testbed, based on virtualizing the GMPLS control plane to deploy multiple virtual networks with full control of the internal routing policies or addressing schemes.

A modular SDN architecture for flexi-grid networks, relying on the NFV framework, allows on-demand allocation and composition of virtualized control plane functions into instances, in a cost effective way. We demonstrate its use in the adaptive control of BVTs.

The existence of multiple subclasses of type Ia supernovae (SNeIa) has been the subject of great debate in the last decade. One major challenge inevitably met when trying to infer the existence of one or more subclasses is the time consuming, and subjective, process of subclass definition. In this work, we show how machine learning tools facilitate the automatic discovery of sub-populations of SNIa; to that end we introduce the DRACULA Python package (Dimensionality Reduction And Clustering for Unsupervised Learning in Astronomy). Our approach is divided in three steps: (i) Transfer Learning, which takes advantage of all available spectra (even those without an epoch estimate) as an information source, (ii) dimensionality reduction through Deep Learning and (iii) unsupervised learning (clustering) using K-Means. Results match a previously suggested classification scheme, showing that the proposed method is able to grasp the main spectral features behind the definition of such subclasses. Moreover, our methodology is capable of automatically identifying a hierarchical structure of spectral features. This allows the confirmation of the velocity of lines as a first order effect in the determination of SNIa sub-classes, followed by 91bg-like events. In this context, SNIa spectra are described by a space of 4 dimensions + 1 for the time evolution of objects. We interpreted this as evidence that the progenitor system and the explosion mechanism should be described by a small number of initial physical parameters. Given the expected data deluge in the forthcoming years, our proposed approach is essential to allow a quick and statistically coherent identification of subclasses (and outliers). DRACULA is publicly available within COINtoolbox (https://github.com/COINtoolbox/DRACULA).

In this paper we present an application of the Fixed Mobile Convergence approach developed in the EU COMBO project for the seamless delivery of fixed and mobile services using a common network infrastructure and set of functions. In particular, we apply this approach within a convergent multilayer packet-optical aggregation network in order to provide QoS support to the transport of packet services regardless of the access technology. As a proof of concept of our approach, we developed a Fixed Mobile Convergence testbed that integrates the LTE-EPC LENA emulator and the multi-layer ADRENALINE testbed. We describe and experimentally validate how this integration is done on the data plane to provide the end-to-end transport of LTE mobile services through the packet-optical aggregation network.

This report presents the activities of the `New Physics' working group for the `Physics at TeV Colliders' workshop (Les Houches, France, 10--28 June, 2019). These activities include studies of direct searches for new physics, approaches to exploit published data to constrain new physics, as well as the development of tools to further facilitate these investigations. Benefits of machine learning for both the search for new physics and the interpretation of these searches are also presented., Proceedings of the BSM Session of the Les Houches 2019 workshop, 227 pages

Service Level Agreements are essential tools enabling clients and telco operators to specify required quality of service. The 5GTANGO NFV platform enables SLAs through policies and custom service lifecycle management components. This allows the operator to trigger certain lifecycle management events for a service, and the network service developer to define how to execute such events (e.g., how to scale). In this demo we will demonstrate this unique 5GTANGO concept using an elastic proxy service supported by a high availability SLA enforced through a range of traffic regimes., © 2019 IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. Permission from IEEE must be obtained for all other uses, in any current or future media, including reprinting/republishing this material for advertising or promotional purposes, creating new collective works, for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or reuse of any copyrighted component of this work in other works.

The ONF Transport API is an interface to enable control of Transport networks, including services such as topology, or connectivity setup. We present the first demonstration of a connectivity service over a DWDM network using the ONF Transport API.

This paper presents an SDN/NFV architecture for delivery of future 5G services across multiple technological and administrative networks , including massive computing resources, which might be centralized or distributed, which are able to offer virtualized functions.