Video Streaming Analysis in Multi-tier Edge-Cloud Networks

Video streaming services represent most internet traffic, and according to Cisco forecasts, in 2022, 82% of all internet traffic will be dominated by video streaming. This includes current video services as well as innovative services such as Real-Time video Streaming and future cloud gaming, whereas, for mobile devices, this estimate represents 78% of all mobile data traffic. A good cloud architecture partially solves some issues related to the live stream and Video on Demand (VoD) services to accommodate video traffic. However, a centralized cloud service introduces some issues such as higher latency and core network congestion. Therefore, to improve video services, it is paramount to distribute video streams according to their requirements properly: a real-time video streaming infrastructure is an interactive service that needs reduced delays (a few milliseconds). At the same time, a non-interactive VoD delivery can tolerate higher delays without impairing the quality of experience. This work discusses and gives evidence for the need for proper management and orchestration of video delivery over the Internet as it is core to the smooth coexistence of video services in multi-tier edge/cloud environments. The results assessment corroborate that well-defined video management can considerably increase the end-user QoE.