Networks beyond IMT-2020: Network softwarization
(Continuation of Question 21/13)
Motivation
The recent continuous change of digital technologies on networking closely influence on various aspects of human life (e.g., industrial control, self-automated driving, time critical and high reliability communications, and cloud-based services). New types of networks are emerging or becomes closer to practical usage with trend of the times.
Network softwarization is an overall approach for the design, deployment, control, management and orchestration of network components by software, and exploits flexibility, dynamicity and rapidity of networking. The characteristics of network softwarization have high affinity with the realization of new scenarios and requirements in various business and social fields.
Key technologies include SDN/NFV and data plane programmability supporting network slicing and orchestration, and have been studied in Y.3000, Y.3100 and Y.3300 series.
The Recommendations that specifies framework, service scenarios, requirements, and architecture of network softwarization in networks beyond IMT-2020 fall under the responsibility of this Question.
The following major Recommendations, in force at the time of approval of this Question, fall under its responsibility:
– ITU-T Y.2242, Y.2305, Y.3110, Y.3111, Y.3112, Y.3150, Y.3151, Y.3152, Y.3153, Y.3154, Y.3324.
Study items
Study items to be considered, but not limited to:
- What are the requirements and architecture of SDN/NFV and data plane programmability to support functions such as network virtualization and network slicing necessary for exploding and diversifying services taking into account traffic controlling, time sensitivity, scalability, reliability, security and distribution of functions?
- What are the requirements and architecture of management and orchestration, related management-control continuum capability of softwarized networks and network slices, taking into account operational efficiency, energy saving, high efficient resource utilization and others?
- What are the gaps in standardization effort for network softwarization as well as in open source activities?
- What are key technology enablers to enhance network softwarization in both public telecommunications including satellite communications and private communication networks (e.g., private 4G/5G network) specific to vertical industry services or applications?
- How to enhance network softwarization by using AI techniques to support network automation?
- What new business models are available with the advent of digital transformation by using techniques of network softwarization, network management and orchestration?
- How to handle, evaluate and measure network parameters for softwarization including network slice to guarantee a measurable service level over homogeneous or heterogeneous networks?.
Tasks
Tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Considering open source activities, development and maintenance of Recommendations on requirements, functional architecture and mechanisms for network softwarization including generic SDN and their profiles for intent-based networking, network virtualization, network slicing, NFV and virtualized network applications supporting service requests over versatile kinds of networks;
- Development of Recommendations on the management and orchestration of homogenous/heterogeneous types of softwarized infrastructure in both public and private networks;
- Development of Recommendations on the capability in support of network softwarization by using enhanced APIs and AI-assisted functionalities;
An up-to-date status of work under this Question is contained in the SG13 Work Programme:
https://www.itu.int/ITU-T/workprog/wp_search.aspx?Q=21/13.
Relationships
Recommendations
Questions
- All Questions relating to network softwarization
Study Groups:
- ITU-T and ITU-R Study Groups involved in the IMT-2020 network and networks beyond IMT-2020 studies
Other bodies
- ETSI
- ONF
- 3GPP
- IETF/IRTF
- TMF
- BBF
- GSMA
- 5GSA
- Open-source activities involved in SDN including network virtualization, network slicing and orchestration studies
Sustainable Development Goals
