3. Challenges of the SDN approach

3.1 Simplicity and adaptability

Automating the network service production process is the key to simplifying negotiation, configuration and operation. Unfortunately, automation isn't just some kind of "magic button" that a network administrator presses every time a customer request needs to be processed.

Behind this "magic button" lies the complexity that characterizes the ability to intelligently combine (i.e., in line with the needs expressed by the customer, the resources available in the network, and in accordance with the planning, traffic routing and routing, quality of service, security and other policies defined by the service provider) all the functions required to produce and operate a given network service, and which fall within the four defined functional...