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Future Internet
Special Issues
Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization
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Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization

A special issue of Future Internet (ISSN 1999-5903). This special issue belongs to the section "Network Virtualization and Edge/Fog Computing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 December 2026 | Viewed by 1106

Special Issue Editors

Dr. He Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Sciences and Informatics, Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran, Hokkaido 050-8585, Japan
Interests: cloud computing; edge computing; software defined networking; network virtualization; SDN
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Yoshifumi Okada

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Information and Systems, Muroran Institute of Technology, 27-1, Mizumoto-cho, Muroran 050-8585, Hokkaido, Japan
Interests: disease identification; emotion recognition; personal identification; deep learning; data mining
Dr. Xiaoyi Tao

E-Mail
Guest Editor
School of Information Technology, Tianjin University of Commerce, Tianjin 300131, China
Interests: software defined networking; data center networking

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In today’s hyperconnected environment, Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) have emerged as pivotal paradigms shaping the future of networking. These approaches enhance agility, scalability, and efficiency across diverse network infrastructures by decoupling network control from the underlying hardware and leveraging virtualization technologies. The flexibility afforded by SDN’s centralized control plane enables rapid policy enforcement, dynamic resource allocation, and improved network visibility, while NFV transforms traditionally hardware-bound network functions into software-driven, on-demand services. SDN and NFV unlock innovative opportunities in 5G/6G communications, edge-to-cloud integration, and distributed computing, paving the way for cutting-edge applications that demand reliability, low latency, and real-time processing.

This Special Issue aims to capture the latest SDN and NFV research advances, underscoring their critical roles in achieving intelligent, automated, and secure networking solutions. We invite contributions that explore novel architectures, performance optimization strategies, security frameworks, orchestration mechanisms, and real-world deployment experiences. Researchers, practitioners, and industry stakeholders are encouraged to share state-of-the-art findings, propose forward-looking roadmaps, and highlight pressing challenges that will shape network evolution in a hyperconnected world.

Dr. He Li
Prof. Dr. Yoshifumi Okada
Dr. Xiaoyi Tao
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.

Keywords

  • software-defined networking (SDN)
  • network function virtualization (NFV)
  • 5G/6G communications
  • network slicing
  • virtualized network functions (VNFs)
  • edge-to-cloud integration
  • control–data plane separation

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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33 pages, 3876 KB  
Article
Predictive Network Slicing Resource Orchestration: A VNF Approach
by Andrés Cárdenas, Luis Sigcha and Mohammadreza Mosahebfard
Future Internet 2026, 18(3), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi18030149 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 146
Abstract
As network slicing gains traction in cloud computing environments, efficient management and orchestration systems are required to realize the benefits of this technology. These systems must enable dynamic provisioning and resource optimization of virtualized services spanning multiple network slices. Nevertheless, the common resource [...] Read more.
As network slicing gains traction in cloud computing environments, efficient management and orchestration systems are required to realize the benefits of this technology. These systems must enable dynamic provisioning and resource optimization of virtualized services spanning multiple network slices. Nevertheless, the common resource overprovisioning practice implemented by service providers leads to the inefficient use of resources, limiting the ability of Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to rent new network slices to more vertical customers. Hence, efficient resource allocation mechanisms are essential to achieve optimal network performance and cost-effectiveness. This paper proposes a predictive model for network slice resource optimization based on resource sharing between Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs). The model employs deep learning models based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and Transformers for CPU resource usage prediction and a reactive algorithm for resource sharing between VNFs. The model is powered by a telemetry system proposed as an extension of the 3GPP network slice management architectural framework. The extended architectural framework enhances the automation and optimization of the network slice lifecycle management. The model is validated through a practical use case, demonstrating the effectiveness of the resource sharing algorithm in preventing VNF overload and predicting resource usage accurately. The findings demonstrate that the sharing mechanism enhances resource optimization and ensures compliance with service level agreements, mitigating service degradation. This work contributes to the efficient management and utilization of network resources in 5G networks and provides a basis for further research in network slice resource optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization)
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15 pages, 1126 KB  
Article
Edge Caching Strategies for Seamless Handover in SDN-Enabled Connected Cars
by Kuljaree Tantayakul, Wasimon Panichpattanakul, Adisak Intana and Parin Sornlertlamvanich
Future Internet 2025, 17(11), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/fi17110525 - 18 Nov 2025
Viewed by 474
Abstract
This paper presents an analytical evaluation of three strategies designed to minimize service disruption during handovers in Software-Defined Networking (SDN)-based connected car networks: SDN Mobility with a Caching Policy, cache-miss Content Delivery Network (CDN), and cache-hit CDN. The performance trade-offs inherent in each [...] Read more.
This paper presents an analytical evaluation of three strategies designed to minimize service disruption during handovers in Software-Defined Networking (SDN)-based connected car networks: SDN Mobility with a Caching Policy, cache-miss Content Delivery Network (CDN), and cache-hit CDN. The performance trade-offs inherent in each approach have been quantitatively compared, and their multi-faceted performances have been analyzed. The evaluation includes a range of Session-to-Mobility Ratios (SMR), sensitivities of core network latency and L2 handover delays, and a realistic assessment of CDN effectiveness as a function of its cache-hit ratio. Our analysis conclusively shows that the availability of content on the network edge is the key factor for ensuring seamless connectivity. The study also identifies a quantitative crossover point 70% cache-hit ratio, where the proactive CDN’s performance surpasses that of reactive Caching Policy, establishing a clear target for predictive algorithms. Results confirm that while the cache-hit strategy offers the lowest disruption, the high data plane latency of a cache-miss 100 ms delay makes it unsuitable for vehicular applications, and the Caching Policy is limited by a 30 ms control plane overhead. This paper provides a robust framework for future vehicular network designs that proactive edge-based architectures are critical for stringent connectivity requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Software-Defined Networking and Network Function Virtualization)
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