Building the Network of the Future - Practical SDN & NFV Guide

In this review of Building the Network of the Future, the authors present a pragmatic guide for network architects and IT leaders shifting toward software-defined networking and network functions virtualization. The bottom line: this book is for professionals who need a clear map from concept to production, because it brings together AT&T experience and industry insights to show not only why the shift matters but how to design networks that remain adaptable as demand grows. The review highlights concrete lessons and strategic viewpoints useful for planning and implementation.

Key Features

• AT&T experience distilled: The book captures real-world lessons from AT&T about moving SDN and NFV from concept into practice, helping readers avoid common pitfalls.
• Practical design guidance: Authors outline approaches to design networks that can adapt to changing demand and technology shifts, useful for planning resilient architectures.
• Industry viewpoint: Contributions from established network experts frame the business and operational reasons to accelerate software-driven networking adoption.
• Future-ready focus: The narrative stresses building networks that are ready for unexpected growth in demand, rather than predicting a single future.
• Foreword endorsement: Forewords emphasize the book's value for organizations treating SDN and NFV as business imperatives, reinforcing credibility for enterprise readers.

Who It's For

The book is best for network engineers, architecture teams, and IT leaders at service providers and large enterprises who are planning or executing SDN and NFV projects and need practical lessons drawn from large-scale deployments. It is valuable for those responsible for network strategy, operations transformation, or vendor selection because it blends technical and business rationale.

Readers seeking a hands-on code cookbook or vendor-specific configuration details should look elsewhere; this title is focused on design principles, operational learnings, and strategic guidance rather than step-by-step CLI instructions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Direct insights from AT&T practitioners provide practical, transferable lessons for large-scale network modernization.
• Clear emphasis on designing for adaptability helps teams build networks that cope with unpredictable demand.
• Combines technical explanation with business context, useful for cross-functional decision making.

Cons

• Not a hands-on configuration manual, so readers seeking technical recipes will need supplemental resources.

Specifications

Our Verdict

Building the Network of the Future is a solid, strategy-oriented resource for professionals leading network transformation. Its value lies in practical lessons and industry context that support decision making and architecture planning, making it a recommended read for teams prioritizing adaptable, software-driven networks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book explain SDN and NFV concepts?
Yes; it explains core concepts with emphasis on practical application and design choices informed by AT&T experience.

Is the book suitable for small teams or startups?
It is most applicable to larger organizations and service providers, though smaller teams can still gain strategic insights.

Will I find step-by-step configuration guidance?
No; the book focuses on design and operational lessons rather than vendor-specific configuration recipes.