| Internet-Draft | Automating Distributed Processing | July 2024 |
| Oh, et al. | Expires 9 January 2025 | [Page] |
This document discusses the use of AI technology and digital twin technology to automate the management of computer network resources distributed across different locations. Digital twin technology involves creating a virtual model of real-world physical objects or processes, which is utilized to analyze and optimize complex systems. In a digital twin network, AI-based network management by automating distributed processing involves utilizing deep learning algorithms to analyze network traffic, identify potential issues, and take proactive measures to prevent or mitigate those issues. Network administrators can efficiently manage and optimize their networks, thereby improving network performance and reliability. AI-based network management, utilizing digital twin network technology, also aids in optimizing network performance by identifying bottlenecks in the network and automatically adjusting network settings to enhance throughput and reduce latency. By implementing AI-based network management through automated distributed processing, organizations can improve network performance, and reduce the need for manual network management tasks.¶
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Due to industrial digitalization, the number of devices connected to the network is increasing rapidly. As the number of devices increases, the amount of data that needs to be processed in the network is increasing due to the interconnection between various devices.¶
Existing network management was managed manually by administrators/operators, but network management becomes complicated, and the possibility of network malfunction increases, which can cause serious damage.¶
Digital twin is a digital representation of an object of interest and may require different capabilities (e.g., synchronization, real-time support) according to the specific domain of application [Y.4600]. Digital twin systems help organizations improve important functional objectives including real-time control, off-line analytics, predictive maintenance by modelling and simulating of objects in the real world. Therefore, it is important for a digital twin system to represent as much real-world information about the object as possible when digitally representing the object.¶
Therefore, this document considers the configuration of systems using both digital twin technology and artificial intelligence (AI) technology for network management and operation, in order to adapt to the dynamically changing network environment. In this regard, AI technologies play a key role by maximizing the utilization of network resources. They achieve this by providing resource access control and optimal task distribution processing based on the characteristics of nodes that offer network functions for network management automation and operation[I-D.irtf-nmrg-ai-challenges].¶
Conventional Task Distributed Processing Techniques refer to methods and approaches used to distribute computational tasks among multiple nodes in a network. These techniques are typically used in distributed computing environments to improve the efficiency and speed of processing large volumes of data.¶
Some common conventional techniques used in task distributed processing include load balancing, parallel processing, and pipelining. Load balancing involves distributing tasks across multiple nodes in a way that minimizes the overall workload of each node, while parallel processing involves dividing a single task into multiple sub-tasks that can be processed simultaneously. Pipelining involves breaking a task into smaller stages, with each stage being processed by a different node.¶
However, conventional task distributed processing techniques also face several challenges and problems. One of the main challenges is ensuring that tasks are distributed evenly among nodes, so that no single node is overburdened while others remain idle. Another challenge is managing the communication between nodes, as this can often be a bottleneck that slows down overall processing speed. Additionally, fault tolerance and reliability can be problematic, as a single node failure can disrupt the entire processing workflow.¶
To address these challenges, new techniques such as edge computing, and distributed deep learning are being developed and used in modern distributed computing environments. The optimal resource must be allocated according to the characteristics of the node that provides the network function. Cloud servers generally have more powerful performance. However, to transfer data from the local machine to the cloud, it is necessary to move across multiple access networks, and it takes high latency and energy consumption because it processes and delivers a large number of packets. The MEC server is less powerful and less efficient than the cloud server, but it can be more efficient considering the overall delay and energy consumption because it is placed closer to the local machine[MEC.IEG006]. These architectures combine computing energy, telecommunications, storage, and energy resources flexibly, requiring service requests to be handled in consideration of various performance trade-offs.¶
The existing distributed processing technique can divide the case according to the subject performing the service request as follows.¶
(1) All tasks are performed on the local machine.¶
Local Machine
+-------------------+
| Perform all tasks |
| on local machine |
| |
| +---------+ |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| +---------+ |
| Local |
+-------------------+
(2) Some of the tasks are performed on the local machine and some are performed on the MEC server.¶
Local Machine MEC Server
+-------------------+ +-------------------+
| Perform tasks | | Perform tasks |
| on local machine | | on MEC server |
| | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ |
| Local | | MEC |
+-------------------+ +-------------------+
(3) Some of the tasks are performed on local machine and some are performed on cloud server¶
Local Machine Cloud Server
+-------------------+ +-------------------+
| Perform tasks | | Perform tasks |
| on local machine | | on cloud server |
| | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ |
| Local | | Cloud |
+-------------------+ +-------------------+
(4) Some of the tasks are performed on local machine, some on MEC servers, some on cloud servers¶
Local Machine MEC Server Cloud Server
+-------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+
| Perform tasks | | Perform tasks | | Perform tasks |
| on local machine | | on MEC server | | on cloud server |
| | | | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ | | +-------------+ |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ | | +-------------+ |
| Local | | MEC | | Cloud |
+-------------------+ +-------------------+ +-------------------+
(5) Some of the tasks are performed on the MEC server and some are performed on the cloud server¶
MEC Server Cloud Server
+-------------------+ +-------------------+
| Perform tasks | | Perform tasks |
| on MEC server | | on cloud server |
| | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| +---------+ | | +-------------+ |
| MEC | | Cloud |
+-------------------+ +-------------------+
(6) All tasks are performed on the MEC server¶
MEC Server
+-------------------+
| Perform all tasks |
| on MEC server |
| |
| +---------+ |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| +---------+ |
| MEC |
+-------------------+
(7) All tasks are performed on cloud servers¶
Cloud Server
+-------------------+
| Perform all tasks |
| on cloud server |
| |
| +---------+ |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| +---------+ |
| Cloud |
+-------------------+
In addition, it is necessary to consider various environments depending on the delay time and the importance of energy consumption to determine which source is appropriate to handle requests for resource use. The importance of delay time and energy consumption depends on the service requirements for resource use. There is a need to adjust the traffic flow according to service requirements.¶
The requirements of task distributed processing refer to the key elements that must be considered and met to effectively distribute computing tasks across multiple nodes in a network. These requirements include:¶
Scalability: The ability to add or remove nodes from the network and distribute tasks efficiently and effectively, without compromising performance or functionality.¶
Fault tolerance: The ability to handle node failures and network outages without disrupting overall system performance or task completion.¶
Load balancing: The ability to distribute tasks evenly across all nodes, ensuring that no single node becomes overwhelmed or underutilized.¶
Task coordination: The ability to manage task dependencies and ensure that tasks are completed in the correct order and on time.¶
Resource management: The ability to manage system resources such as memory, storage, and processing power effectively, to optimize task completion and minimize delays or errors.¶
Security: The ability to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data and tasks, and protect against unauthorized access or tampering.¶
Meeting these requirements is essential to the successful implementation and operation of task distributed processing systems. The effective distribution of tasks across multiple nodes in a network can improve overall system performance and efficiency, while also increasing fault tolerance and scalability.¶
Automating distributed processing utilizing digital twin technology involves digitally modeling physical objects and processes from the real world, enabling real-time tracking and manipulation. This technology enables real-time monitoring and manipulation, revolutionizing how we understand and manage complex networks.¶
When combined with AI technology, these digital twins form a robust automated distributed processing system. For instance, digital twins can project all nodes and devices within a network digitally, The AI model can utilize various types of information, such as:¶
Network data: Network-related data such as network traffic, packet loss, latency, bandwidth usage, etc., can be valuable for distributed processing automation. This data helps in understanding the current state and trends of the network, optimizing task distribution, and processing.¶
Task and task characteristic data: Data that describes the characteristics and requirements of the tasks processed in the distributed processing system is also important. This can include the size, complexity, priority, dependencies, and other attributes of the tasks. Such data allows the AI technology to distribute tasks appropriately and allocate them to the optimal nodes.¶
Performance and resource data: Data related to the performance and resource usage of the distributed processing system is crucial. For example, data representing the processing capabilities of nodes, memory usage, bandwidth, etc., can be utilized to efficiently distribute tasks and optimize task processing.¶
Network configuration and device data: External environmental factors should also be considered. Data such as network topology, connectivity between nodes, energy consumption, temperature, etc., can be useful for optimizing task distribution and processing.¶
AI algorithms, based on this digital twin data, can automatically optimize network operations. For example, if overload is detected on a specific node, AI can redistribute tasks to other nodes, minimizing congestion. The real-time updates from digital twins enable continuous, optimal task distribution, allowing the network to adapt swiftly to changes.¶
By integrating digital twins and AI, the automated distributed processing system maximizes network performance while minimizing bottlenecks. This technology reduces the burden on network administrators, eliminating the need for manual adjustments and enhancing network flexibility and responsiveness.¶
In a network environment, digital twins are used to monitor the performance of the network infrastructure in real-time, optimize network traffic through AI-based distributed processing, predict issues, and automatically resolve them. To this end, it is important to select physical objects to be represented as digital twins in order to collect the various data described in Section 4.¶
Monitoring agents installed on network devices collect real-time data. This data includes traffic volume, latency, packet loss rates, CPU and memory usage, etc. Edge computing devices perform initial data processing before transmitting the data to the central management system.¶
The central system trains models for traffic prediction, fault prediction, and optimization based on the collected data. The trained models are deployed to network devices to perform real-time traffic analysis and optimization tasks.¶
Each network device or edge computing device analyzes data in real-time and dynamically adjusts traffic routes. The overall network status is monitored, and in case of a fault, traffic is automatically rerouted or devices are reset. Distributed edge devices communicate with each other to share network status and collaborate with the central system to optimize the entire network.¶
When providing AI services, it is essential to consider security measures to protect sensitive data such as network configurations, user information, and traffic patterns. Robust privacy measures must be in place to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches.¶
Implementing effective access control mechanisms is essential to ensure that only authorized personnel or systems can access and modify the network management infrastructure. This involves managing user privileges, using authentication mechanisms, and enforcing strong password policies.¶
Ensuring the quality and integrity of the training data is critical for AI model performance. This involves several key steps:¶
Data Validation Procedures: Implement rigorous validation processes, including data cleaning to remove noise and irrelevant data, consistency checks to ensure uniformity across datasets, and anomaly detection to address outliers that could skew model training.¶
Bias Detection and Mitigation: Ensure fairness and accuracy by using diverse data sources, applying fairness metrics, and performing adversarial testing to identify and mitigate biases.¶
Regularly auditing and evaluating the AI model is essential to detect and address vulnerabilities:¶
Performance Monitoring: Continuously monitor the AI model's performance to identify any degradation or unexpected behavior.¶
Security Testing: Conduct security tests such as penetration testing and adversarial attacks to evaluate the model's robustness.¶
Update and Patch Management: Keep the AI model and its underlying systems updated with the latest security patches and improvements.¶
Enhancing the explainability and transparency of AI models is also important:¶
There are no IANA considerations related to this document.¶
TBA¶