Network virtualization in the cloud computing era

Nowadays a paradigm shift is ongoing in resource partition and orchestration: from a full physical infrastructure to a virtualized one. This is especially true for Next Generation Networks, where the vision of obtaining functionality or a service under a pure leasing model is the reality. This article presents the benefits of a novel network architecture based on the virtualization of hardware and software elements in the support of dynamic infrastructure services from the operator's perspective. This novel network framework constitutes an evolution in support of seamless and coordinated provisioning of optical network and IT resources while providing End-to-End cloud services and novel business framework, for network providers and operators. These items include optical transport network architecture and generalized multiprotocol label switching control plane issues, and some physical aspects with possible extension to the optical grid.