Towards 0-touch networks

Future networks will be based on optical core infrastructures (with a limited number of nodes) inter-connecting different local networks (with optical and/or radio local connectivity) populated with a myriads of heterogeneous nodes with communication, processing and storage capabilities. This evolution will transform future networks into complex systems. Traditional management and control approaches still valid for the core will not be applicable anymore at the edge. The paper advocates the introduction of cognitive capabilities at the edge of Telco networks for taming the growing complexity of pervasive nodes at the edge. In parallel, traditional management approach of core networks will be enhanced for mitigating and easing human efforts (reduction OPEX). The paper extends the concepts towards the orchestration of different virtualized resources yielding to a "network of networks" dynamic environment.