Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation for Wireless Nodes with Software Defined Networking in Heterogeneous Networks with Embedded Systems

Abstract: In the wireless computer networks of today, there is a limitation on how wireless access points handle bandwidth distribution to wireless nodes, both in Software Defined Networking (SDN) solutions, traditional networks with routers and switches, and in embedded systems. The limitation is the lack of control of the node bandwidth usage. Quality of Service exists, but it limits the bandwidth on the access point or the switch and not on the node itself. Thus, when several nodes connect to a single wireless access point, they compete for bandwidth, and therefore there is a need to allocate bandwidth to the nodes directly. Through the use of SDN, it would be possible to make this dynamic access control work with rapidly changing networks, both wired and wireless. This thesis is a proof of concept with actual hardware, and answers the question on how we can implement dynamic bandwidth allocation in a heterogeneous network with SDN and how to make it dynamic with the adding and removal of nodes. The solution achieves the dynamic bandwidth allocation by running a program in parallel to the SDN controller together with additional software on the nodes. The solution makes it possible to share the bandwidth between nodes and through priorities manipulate how much of the total bandwidth each node receives in comparison to the other nodes. The measured results show that the program has a manageable overhead and works with several nodes. The thesis aims to widen the view on viable SDN approaches and inspire future research on wireless SDN solutions.