Software defined cognitive networking: supporting intelligent online video streaming

Adaptive media such as HTTP adaptive streaming (HAS) is becoming a standard tool for online video distribution. The non-cooperative competition of network resources between a growing number of adaptive video applications has a significant detrimental impact on user experience and network efficiency. Existing network infrastructures often prioritise fast packet forwarding, which do not always contribute to the improved user experience. Future network management must leverage application and user-level cognitive factors to allocate scarce network resources effectively and intelligently. Our software defined cognitive networking (SDCN) project, supported by the Research Councils UK, aims at incorporating new developments in human cognition, media technology and communication networks to ensure the user experience, user-level fairness and network efficiency of online adaptive media using software defined networking-assisted and QoE-aware resource management