IEEE Software Defined Network Initiative

This paper outlines a proposal for setting up an IEEE initiative on software defined networks (SDNs) to facilitate professional and academic exchange of SDN-related ideas, research, and development. The proposal is a result of an intensive effort of a team consisting of the authors. After a comprehensive gap analysis, gaps and key opportunities were identified. Finally, a specific set of components along with schedule and financial consideration were proposed in the areas of publications, conferences, standards, education, certification, and publicity

In 2013, the IEEE Future Directions Committee (FDC) formed an SDN work group to explore the amount of interest in forming an IEEE Software-Defined Network (SDN) Community. To this end, a Workshop on “SDN for Future Networks and Services” (SDN4FNS’13) was organized in Trento, Italy (Nov. 11th-13th 2013). Following the results of the workshop, in this paper, we have further analyzed scenarios, prior-art, state of standardization, and further discussed the main technical challenges and socio-economic aspects of SDN and virtualization in future networks and services. A number of research and development directions have been identified in this white paper, along with a comprehensive analysis of the technical feasibility and business availability of those fundamental technologies. A radical industry transition towards the “economy of information through softwarization” is expected in the near future.

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