Manufactured by software: SDN-enabled multi-operator composite services with the 5G Exchange

Foreseen 5G verticals hold the promise of being true value-added services, hence bringing significant income to their respective providers. However, the nature of these verticals are very demanding in terms of both economic and technical requirements, such as multi-operator cooperation, end-to-end quality assurance, and the unified orchestration of network and cloud resources. Existing systems fall short of satisfying these requirements, but emerging network softwarization and resource virtualization technologies, such as SDN and NFV, show promise for being key enablers in this context. In this article, we introduce the 5G Exchange (5GEx) concept that builds on SDN and NFV, and facilitates the provisioning of multi-operator 5G services by means of inter-operator management and orchestration of virtualized network, compute, and storage resources. We present potential 5GEx use cases, conceptual architecture, and value proposition. We also outline open research questions on how to exchange information in such a coopetitive environment, and provide an outlook on the impact of 5GEx on a network service provider's business and operation

GMPLS Extensions for Supporting Advanced Optical Networking Technologies

In response to the need for higher flexibility in optical networks, a Generalised Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) protocol suite is currently under standardisation. However, in these standards a Label Switched Path (LSP) hierarchy is defined that only considers circuit-switched optical networks. This paper aims at broadening the scope of this hierarchy to more advanced optical networking technologies

Key Strategies for 6G Smart Networks and Services

<p>The purpose of this document is to provide a first comprehensive set of key strategic reflections and recommendations for 6G smart networks and services, capturing the views and priorities from the members of the 6G-IA. The goal is that this document will be used to further elaborate future versions of the SNS JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) as well as the R&I Work Programmes. It also aims to offer directions for collaboration opportunities for European Stakeholders that will go beyond the scope of the SNS JU. It is the plan of 6G-IA to use this as a “living document” where topics will be updated or highlighted (by producing specific strategic documents) in the coming years, following the technological advances, market uptake and ecosystem evolution.</p&gt

Key Strategies for 6G Smart Networks and Services

<p>The purpose of this document is to provide a first comprehensive set of key strategic reflections and recommendations for 6G smart networks and services, capturing the views and priorities from the members of the 6G-IA. The goal is that this document will be used to further elaborate future versions of the SNS JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) as well as the R&I Work Programmes. It also aims to offer directions for collaboration opportunities for European Stakeholders that will go beyond the scope of the SNS JU. It is the plan of 6G-IA to use this as a “living document” where topics will be updated or highlighted (by producing specific strategic documents) in the coming years, following the technological advances, market uptake and ecosystem evolution.</p&gt