This position paper presents SoftINTERNET an initiative for a service-aware and management-aware network control infrastructure for heterogeneous networks (i.e., wired and wireless) that uses software driven features for the elaboration, development, and validation of networking concepts. The proposed infrastructure aims to optimally integrate the connectivity and management layers. It operates across multiple network environments and on top of private and public network clouds utilising fixed and mobile virtual resources, OpenFlow enabled network devices like switches and routers, and networks of Smart Objects. In this position paper, we discuss the motivation, architecture and research challenges for such a promising concept.

Peer Reviewed