Overcoming Network and Security Management Platform Gaps in Federated Software Networks

Software networks are on the verge of replacing traditional communications network infrastructures on a large scale; they are composed of software-defined networks, virtualized network functions, and virtual compute resources. While software networks thrive on scalability, high dynamics, and flexibility, they also are inherently tied to conceptually new challenges for network management, i.e., the tasks carried out by network operators in order to provision, maintain, and optimize network-based IT services. While individual management tools are made available for each software network component by the vendors, integrated management architectures, which enable the common management of components across the heterogeneity of vendors and types as well as models, need to be redesigned to achieve the same level of maturity and usefulness compared to their counterparts in traditional networks. This paper focuses on management platforms for federated software networks - operated by several independent parties - systematically, based on their key characteristics. We identify gaps in management platform design and propose measures to close them.