Adapting reinforcement learning for multimedia transmission on SDN

Abstract

[EN] Multimedia transmissions require a high quantity of resources to ensure their quality. In the last years, some technologies that provide a better resource management have appeared. Software defined networks (SDNs) are presented as a solution to improve this management. Furthermore, combining SDN with artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, networks are able to provide a higher performance using the same resources. In this paper, a redefinition of reinforcement learning is proposed. This model is focused on multimedia transmission in a SDN environment. Moreover, the architecture needed and the algorithm of the reinforcement learning are described. Using the Openflow protocol, several sample actions are defined in the system. Results show that using the system users perceive an increase in the image quality three times better. Moreover, the loss rate is reduced more than half the value of losses recorded when the algorithm is not applied. Regarding bandwidth, the maximum throughput increases from 987.16 kbps to 24.73 Mbps while the average bandwidth improves from 412.42 kbps to 7.83 Mbps.