SDN and NFV as Enabler for the Distributed Network Cloud

SDN and NFV gained significant momentum within the last years. Although widely used in research labs and cloud environments, SDN has not yet been deployed in mobile telecommunication networks. In this paper, we focus on use cases driving mobile network evolution towards cost-efficient IT-based solutions using standardized hardware and software-based concepts, such as SDN and NFV. Two SDN use cases for mobile networks are described. One deals with the disaggregation of mobile network gateways and the other with SDN-enabled security concepts and applications for mobile networks. Based on the SDN use cases, the paper highlights open issues and challenges for integrating IT concepts in future telecommunication networks.