The articles in this special section focus on telecommunications software, network virtualization, and software defined networks. (SDN) Network softwarization is changing how we build and operate communication networks. It is expected to enable the fifth-generation (5G) networks to provide logically-independent and fully programmable network slices by flexibly, efficiently and securely partitioning the network infrastructure. End-to-end network services are then dynamically provisioned on those slices to meet the diverse requirements of vertical industries. Extensive research and development effort is currently being conducted to explore several aspects of network softwarization including network architecture, management frameworks, and open-source software. The fourth issue of the “Telecom Software, Network Virtualization, and Software Defined Networks” Series features five papers that deal with critical challenges related to 5G networks, such as network slicing, security and trust, access and usage control, service development and opensource tools deployment.

中文翻译：

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电信软件，网络虚拟化和软件定义的网络

此特殊部分中的文章重点介绍电信软件，网络虚拟化和软件定义的网络。（SDN）网络软化正在改变我们建立和运营通信网络的方式。有望通过灵活，高效和安全地划分网络基础架构，使第五代（5G）网络提供逻辑独立且完全可编程的网络片。然后在这些片上动态设置端到端网络服务，以满足垂直行业的各种需求。当前正在进行广泛的研究和开发工作，以探索网络软化的多个方面，包括网络体系结构，管理框架和开源软件。《电信软件网络虚拟化》第四期，