Intelligent Network Softwarization
Chamitha de Alwis
University of Bedfordshire, Luton, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorChamitha de Alwis
University of Bedfordshire, Luton, United Kingdom
Search for more papers by this authorSummary
Network softwarization emerged with the advent of fifth-generation. These functionalities are expected to evolve toward intelligent network softwarization with the dawn of sixth-generation networks. This chapter focuses on the technological development toward intelligent network softwarization. Softwarized network architecture integrates the principles of Software-Defined Networking, Network Function Virtualization, and cloud computing to mobile communication networks. Several technologies are being developed in line of making network softwarization more intelligent. These include Service Function Chaining (SFC), Programmable Data Planes (PDP), and in-network computing. The chapter lists the architectural principals of SFC. Many types of data reports can be generated through PDP using the P4 language. In-network computing is able to distribute computing functions to network nodes and devices. This concept was initially developed as active networks that can perform the necessary processing of packets while forwarding them.
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