Recent Advances in Software-Defined Networking (SDN)
A special issue of Network (ISSN 2673-8732).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 157
Special Issue Editors
Interests: distributed systems; self-aware and autonomous systems; anomaly detection; industry 4.0; internet of everything; cybersecurity; complex communication systems; SDN networks; PoC systems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Programmable networks are one of the main research areas related to modern communication systems. The mechanisms included in this architecture align with cognitive networks, which automate reconfiguration scenarios triggered in response to changing operating conditions in distributed systems. Such an approach enables rapid responses to failures, the elimination of communication bottlenecks, and the integration of the system’s hardware components with the software layer.
For this reason, SDN-class systems are used not only in traditional core communication networks but also in 5G, 6G, and hybrid, partially virtualized communication systems.
In this Special Issue, particular emphasis will be placed on the applicability of proposed solutions in real communication environments and the assessment of the usefulness of new deployment paradigms for this class of solution. We are particularly interested in practical implementations, case studies, and experimental evaluations that demonstrate the maturity and readiness of SDN technologies for industrial and commercial use. Additionally, we encourage submissions addressing the role of SDN in enabling AI-driven network automation and orchestration. The list of topics includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Scalability and performance of SDN infrastructure and controllers;
- Security and attacks related to the operation of SDN networks;
- Interoperability and integration of SDN with existing infrastructure;
- Monitoring, diagnostics, and operational complexity;
- Complex network architecture;
- Mathematical and numerical analysis of networks;
- Modeling of SDN computer networks;
- Cognitive networks;
- Dynamics on networks;
- Complex SDN network management;
- Performance modeling and analysis in SDN networks;
- Algorithms for controlling and monitoring SDN computer networks;
- Evolving networks;
- Detection of anomalies in the operation of enterprise-class SDN computer network components;
- Predictive maintenance with the use of SDN networks;
- Role of SDN in edge and fog computing architectures;
- Integration of SDN with NFV (network function virtualization);
- AI and machine learning applications in SDN-based network control;
- Energy-efficient SDN solutions for green networking;
- Testbeds, benchmarks, and datasets for SDN research.
Dr. Marek Bolanowski
Dr. Paweł Kuraś
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. Network is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly 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 1200 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)
- SDN controller scalability
- security
- network virtualization
- SDN interoperability
- SDN performance optimization
- SDN and NFV integration
- experimental SDN deployment
Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue
- Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
- Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
- Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
- External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
- Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.
Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.
