SoftwareDefined Networking load distribution technique for an internet service provider Abstract   Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are expected to continuously provide services without interruptions. However, planning for this activity requires a number of tasks such as forecasting clientsu0027 demand that needs to be considered in fulfilling their objectives particularly in face of calamity and traffic load variations. We present a SoftwareDefined Networking (SDN) load distribution technique for a typical ISP. We have implemented an optimization method employing linear programming to achieve this goal. A multiobjective model has been developed for this purpose. The multiple objectives are maximization of link utilization, maximization of link availability and minimization of average roundtrip time for the top visited websites by users. Furthermore, an automated load distribution system has been developed for carrying out these optimization related activities. In addition, an example is presented to illustrate traffic load distribution under different operational modes (normal, critical, and catastrophic). The findings of this study should be of great help to the service provider to better plan for load distribution between international links, and help in approving down times and maintenance windows requested by cable providers.

QoEbased Load Balancing of OTT Video Content in SDN Networks The proliferation of multimedia devices and video content availability is producing an increase in video content consumption. Video is now the most significant slice of all Internet traffic produced, and it is still growing. However, OverTheTop (OTT) video is the one significantly increasing its strength, causing infrastructural and business challenges to Telecommunication Operators (Telcos), which provide traditional video services. Telcos must improve their network infrastructure to sustain future demand for OTT video content while improving user perceived QualityofExperience (QoE). A meaningful way to accomplish that is to distribute hardware appliances compatible with the SoftwareDefined Networking (SDN) paradigm throughout the network, improving flexibility and capacity while introducing new ways of content delivery.Towards this objective, this paper proposes an SDN load balancing approach to distribute OTT video requests through multiple servers. The load balancing decision is performed at the edge of the network influenced by the clientu0027s QoE. Comparing to a traditional load balancing scheme, the proposed method outperforms the nonSDN approaches in scenarios in which the serverside infrastructure starts to become stressed.