Cognitive Software Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization and Applications II

Dear Colleagues,

A major development in computer networking is the emergence of Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV). The goal of SDN is to provide a centralized, programmable control plane that is decoupled from the data plane of network devices, while the goal of NFV is to virtualize network functions (such as network address translation, firewall, and intrusion detection) that are now being implemented by proprietary, dedicated hardware. In future networks, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) will be key technologies to automate network operations and enhance customer experience. AI and ML will help in making intelligent decisions regarding performance guarantees, energy saving, resource optimizations and security. This issue is dedicated to cognitive software defined networking and network function virtualization. New cognitive techniques enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) will be a pivoting point for enhancing automation in network operations. In addition, AI can help in decomposing large network functions into micronetwork functions (e.g., microservices).  Currently, many of the research challenges behind SDN/NFV are or have been widely investigated in several projects all around the globe. AI-based software-based networking, autonomic networking, policy-based network management, network slicing, and other related research areas will be key underlying technologies in future networks. This Special Issue seeks contributions from the above areas of research.

Dr. Sachin Sharma
Dr. Avishek Nag
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Future Internet is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.