Mayur Channegowda, Dr Reza Nejabati and Professor Dimitra Simeonidou received the award for their pioneering work in Software-Defined Networking (SDN), and specifically for their paper entitled: ‘Software-Defined Optical Networks Technology and Infrastructure: Enabling Software-Defined Optical Network Operations’. The paper was first published at the IEEE Journal of Optical Communications and Networking in 2013.
The paper introduces for the first time the idea of extending SDN beyond packet-switched networks to cover emerging-speed optical networks. The technology introduced in this paper enables creation of open and programmable internet infrastructure that uses light to carry internet traffic.
The innovation proposed in this paper has been the cornerstone for a successful technology start-up in the , Zeetta Networks. The start-up develops commercial solutions for a programmable network that enables monitoring, management and automation of data flows across different types of connected devices.
Professor Dimitra Simeonidou, head of the High Performance Networks Group and Director of the Smart Internet Lab, said: ‘Software-Defined Network (SDN) technologies reported in this paper will revolutionise future networks. It makes me incredibly proud to lead a team of researchers that pioneered fundamental ideas for the development of open and programmable networks. This award is the latest validation of our world leadership on Transport SDN technologies, which is now widely recognised by the international community.’
The award will be presented at the in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May.