Virtualization of set-top-box devices in next generation SDN-NFV networks: the INPUT project perspective

Due to the emergence of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) paradigms, coupled with a hyper-connectivity communication paradigm, the “softwarisation” of the Internet infrastructure and of its network management framework is gaining increasing popularity. This is the target of the INPUT platform, a novel infrastructure and paradigm supporting Future Internet personal cloud services in a more scalable and sustainable way, and with innovative addedvalue capabilities. The INPUT technologies enable next-generation cloud applications to go beyond classical service models, and even replace physical Smart Devices, usually placed in users’ homes (e.g., set-top boxes), with their virtual images, providing them to users “as a Service”. In this paper we present the Virtual set-top box from both architectural and functional points of view, demonstrating the feasibility of the softwarized SDN/NFV paradigm joined with the fog-computing approach to support personal cloud services.