Virtual Network Function Placement in Satellite Edge Computing with a Potential Game Approach

Satellite networks, as a supplement to terrestrial networks, can provide effective computing services for Internet of Things (IoT) device users in remote areas. Due to the resource limitation of satellites, such as in computing, storage, and energy, a computation task from a IoT device user can be divided into several parts and cooperatively accomplished by multiple satellites to improve the overall operational efficiency of satellite networks. Network function virtualization (NFV) is viewed as a new paradigm in allocating network resources on demand. Satellite edge computing combined with the NFV technology is becoming an emerging topic. In this paper, we propose a potential game approach for virtual network function (VNF) placement in satellite edge computing. The problem of VNF placement aims to maximize the number of allocated IoT device users, while minimizing the overall deployment cost. Therefore, we formulate the optimization problem of VNF placement with maximum network payoff as a potential game and analyze the problem by a game-theoretical approach. Then we implement a decentralized resource allocation algorithm based on a potential game (PGRA) for tackling the problem of VNF placement by finding a Nash equilibrium solution. Finally, we conduct the experiments to evaluate the performance of the proposed PGRA algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed PGRA algorithm can effectively address the VNF placement in satellite edge computing.