Network Management and Orchestration

This chapter provides an insight into network management and orchestration in the 5th generation (5G), in particular highlighting how software‐defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) will enable increased agility, scalability, and faster time‐to‐market of 5G communication networks. It introduces the main concepts of management and orchestration associated to SDN and NFV, with a review of the corresponding architecture frameworks. The chapter profiles the main enablers for achieving the management and orchestration goals of 5G, through open and extensible interfaces, on one hand, and service and device models, on the other. It addresses the complexity derived from multi‐domain and multi‐technology scenarios. The chapter describes the applicability of SDN to some of the scenarios foreseen in 5G, like the collapsed fronthaul and backhaul and the transport networks. It finally provides insights about the autonomic network management capabilities in 5G.