Abstract
The introduction of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) has transformed the way networks will be built in the future. This development also applies to mobile networks and their evolution. How the SDN and NFV concepts will be integrated exactly is still an open research question with multiple approaches and techniques in discussion. This article provides an overview of the current discussion points with regard to development paths, building blocks, deployment scenarios, and the opportunities and challenges of the new concepts in the mobile core network context.
About the authors
Michael Jarschel is working as a research engineer in the area of Software Defined Networking at Nokia in Munich, Germany. He finished his Ph.D. thesis, titled “An Assessment of Applications and Performance Analysis of Software Defined Networking”, at the University of Würzburg in 2014. His main research interests are in the applicability of SDN and NFV concepts to next generation mobile networks.
NOKIA Networks, Munich, Germany
Arsany Basta received his M.Sc. degree in Communication Engineering from the Technische Universität Münchenn (TUM) in October 2012. He joined the institute of Communication Networks in November 2012 as a Ph.D. student and a member of the research and teaching staff. His current research focuses on the application of SDN and NFV to the mobile core network.
Chair of Communication Networks, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technische Universität München, Germany
Wolfgang Kellerer is full professor at the Technische Universität Münchenn (TUM) heading the Chair of Communication Networks in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering since 2012. Before, he has been director and head of wireless technology and mobile network research at NTT DOCOMO's European research laboratories, DOCOMO Euro-Labs, for more than ten years. His research focuses on concepts for the dynamic control of networks (Software Defined Networking), network virtualization and network function virtualization, and application aware traffic management. In the area of wireless networks the emphasis is on Machine-to-Machine communication, Device-to-Device communication and wireless sensor networks with a focus on resource management towards a concept for 5th generation of mobile communications (5G). His research resulted in more than 200 publications and 29 granted patents in the area of mobile networking and service platforms. He is a member of ACM, VDE ITG and a Senior Member of IEEE.
Chair of Communication Networks, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Technische Universität München, Germany
Marco Hoffmann studied computer science and received the Dr rer. nat. degree from TUM in 2005. In 2004 he joined the Research and Development Department of Siemens. Currently he is Technology Manager for software defined networking and virtualization and Project Manager for international projects in the Research division of NOKIA. He was consortium leader and board member of several national and international research projects and member of company internal and nation-wide Future Internet strategy teams.
NOKIA Networks, Munich, Germany
©2015 Walter de Gruyter Berlin/Boston
