Hierarchical management architecture and testbed for mobile video service optimization

There is demand for solutions capable of managing the constantly increasing video traffic loads over wireless networks while ensuring sufficient QoS and QoE for mobile video services. This paper presents a hierarchical network management architecture for optimized mobile video streaming in heterogeneous multi-access networks. The architecture jointly utilizes the access diversity of multi-access networks and video adaptation capabilities in the optimization, and relies on novel cognitive algorithms in implementing the automated decision-making for the management. To facilitate the development of such algorithms as next steps, the paper presents a testbed including the required components. The paper also includes a first-pass experimental evaluation on the testbed and preliminary optimization algorithms.