Telecom Software, Network Virtualization, and Software Defined Networks

Abstract

The articles in this special section focus on telecommunications software, network virtualization, and software defined networks. (SDN) Network softwarization is changing how we build and operate communication networks. It is expected to enable the fifth-generation (5G) networks to provide logically-independent and fully programmable network slices by flexibly, efficiently and securely partitioning the network infrastructure. End-to-end network services are then dynamically provisioned on those slices to meet the diverse requirements of vertical industries. Extensive research and development effort is currently being conducted to explore several aspects of network softwarization including network architecture, management frameworks, and open-source software. The fourth issue of the "Telecom Software, Network Virtualization, and Software Defined Networks" Series features five papers that deal with critical challenges related to 5G networks, such as network slicing, security and trust, access and usage control, service development and opensource tools deployment.