The goals set up for the project are valid and should remain for the next step, the implementation of the product TCN TimeAnalyzer. Going forward, TCN will investigate further the dynamic connection management scheme as outlined earlier in this report. TCN will also study how to integrate TCN TimeAnalyzer into the SDN architecture in more detail. For instance, a real-time channel can be used to realize a network slice or in conjunction with network service chains to guarantee real-time requirements of the most time-sensitive network applications. TCN believe that TCN TimeAnalyzer can be developed into a key component in the orchestration layer in such an architecture, handling admission control of time-sensitive flows, resource allocation, QoS guarantees and monitoring etc. The basis for performing these task is the ability to predict and monitor network delay using methods such as schedulability analysis and probabilistic approaches. This work will preferably be conducted together with the pre-study partners we already have on-going dialogue with, i.e. Ericsson, SICS, Acreo and Victoria ICT . Below, we sketch out a preliminary and very rough working plan and roadmap:
Off-line simulation (start of the project)
Method: Simulation by using TCN Ethernet Simulator™
Max size of network segment: < 100 nodes
Target calculation time: minutes/hours
On-line worst-case calculation (One year into project)
Method: worst-case analysis + simulation
Max size of network segment: < 10 nodes
Target calculation time: minutes
On-line worst-case calculation in Ericsson lab (Year 2 in project)
Method: worst-case analysis
Max size of network segment: < 100-1000 nodes
Target calculation time: seconds.
