QoE-aware video streaming over HTTP and software-defined networking

Abstract

The exponential growth in video streaming traffic over the Internet has created a demand for innovative methods to enhance both Quality of Experience (QoE) for users and Quality of Service (QoS) for providers. HTTP Adaptive Streaming (HAS) has emerged as a key technology for improving media streaming services. However, HAS alone cannot ensure a seamless viewing experience, as it heavily depends on network infrastructure and varying network conditions.

To address this, we propose a novel architecture that integrates HAS with Software-Defined Networking (SDN) to improve video delivery quality. While HAS focuses on bitrate adaptation for Variable Bit Rate (VBR) video streaming using the MPEG-DASH standard at the client side, SDN enhances network performance by dynamically allocating routes through an SDN controller using the OpenFlow protocol on the network side.

Our experimental results demonstrate that the combined approach significantly improves performance, with enhancements in average bitrate ranging from 38% to 185% compared to existing solutions. Additionally, the proposed solution provides a smoother viewing experience compared to traditional Internet-based streaming methods.