Software-defined networking (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV), and programmable data planes (such as P4) are summarized as network softwarization. They are considered core ingredients of future networks. Although they are still under research, these novel networking paradigms have partly entered production stage for specific use cases. Major drivers are cost-effectiveness, flexibility, security, and smart control driven by extrnal data and AI.

This workshop would like to discuss advances in this area as well as opportunities and challenges for various use cases in the field of datacenter, ISP, 5G/6G, industrial and campus networks, as well as network and traffic monitoring. Practical experience reports from prototypes, testbeds, and deployments are welcome including novel tools. The topics of this workshop include, but are not limited to:

• Network softwarization
  • Architectures and protocols
  • Data plane programming, e.g., using P4, eBPF, Snabb, DPDK, …
  • Data and control plane resilience
  • Mathematical modelling and optimization
  • Performance and scalability
  • Prototypes
  • Integration with legacy networks (hybrid SDN)
  • AI/ML based control
  • Security considerations
  • Security solutions
  • Service control
  • Network virtualization
  • Service function chaining
  • Network slicing, e.g., of 5G/6G core network functions
  • Platforms, protocols, and languages
  • Tool chains and development support
  • Intent-based networking
  • Testbeds and emulation platforms
  • Use cases and business models
  • Deployments in datacenter, ISP, industrial, and campus networks
  • Disaggregation
• Time-sensitive networking (TSN)
  • Architecture and protocols
  • Prototypes
  • Mathematical modelling and optimization
  • Performance and scalability
• Monitoring
  • Network monitoring
  • Traffic monitoring
  • Network and traffic modelling
  • Performance and scalability
  • ML/AI based support
  • Security solutions
  • Tools and standards
  • Open source software
• Teaching activities
• Standardization reports
• Projects and events

This is the 4th workshop of this series. Previous workshops:

1. KuVS Workshop on "Network Softwarization" - From Research to Application

2. KuVS Workshop on "Network Softwarization" - From Research to Application

3. KuVS Workshop on "Network Softwarization" - From Research to Application

Submission and Publication

Two forms of contributions are possible:

• Title, abstract and reference of previously published work to present and discuss it in the KuVS community.
• Title and abstract for a visionary talk, a project or teaching report, or presentation of original work. Submissions may be up to 4 pages long and should be formatted according to the IEEE conference layout. Accepted manuscripts will be published with a DOI in the workshop proceedings by the Tübinger Online-Bibliotheks-, Informations- und Angebotssystem (TOBIAS-lib) of the University of Tübingen. The copyright will remain with the authors.

All contributions should be submitted as PDF documents via the submission tool. Presentations will be made available on this workshop website (subject to permission by the authors).

Important Dates

Submission deadline: 9.2.2025
Notification of acceptance: 9.3.2025
Camera-ready version: 23.3.2025