In the recent moves of network soft re-architecture, significant attention is currently given to Network Softwarization and Enablers which are aiming at providing networking and communication functionality through programmable software that is separable from hardware and that would not be restricted to run only as part of a firmware image. Important examples of such technology include Software-Defined Networking, Network Function Virtualization, Service Function Chaining, Network Slicing and Network Virtualization. More generally, it includes any networking and communications technology that features open programmable interfaces accessible to third parties, extensibility through software, software development kits, and separation of data forwarding, control, and management planes.

The panel will address some new challenges and frontiers that stem from the new model based of significant native network softwarization in the network.