Word of the Day: network functions virtualization (NFV)

Word of the Day Daily updates on the latest technology terms |June 8, 2018

network functions virtualization (NFV) Network functions virtualization (NFV) is an initiative to virtualize network services traditionally run on proprietary, dedicated hardware. With NFV, functions like routing, load balancing and firewalls are packaged as virtual machines (VMs) on commodity hardware. Individual virtual network functions, or VNFs, are an essential component of NFV architecture. Multiple VNFs can be added to a standard x86 server and then can be monitored and controlled by a hypervisor. NFV's mission to use commodity hardware is important because network managers no longer need to purchase and manually configure dedicated hardware devices in order to build a service chain that links certain functions to perform a desired sequence. Each dedicated device, by comparison, needs to be manually cabled together accordingly, which is a time-consuming process. Because NFV architecture virtualizes network functions and eliminates specific hardware, network managers can add, move or change network functions at the server level in a simplified provisioning process. If a VNF running on a virtual machine requires more bandwidth, for example, the administrator can move the VM to another physical server or provision another virtual machine on the original server to handle part of the load. Having this flexibility allows an IT department to respond in a more agile manner to changing business goals and network service demands. Read more... Quote of the Day "Implementation of open source for NFV applications will require service providers to adopt new ways of designing, deploying and supporting their network infrastructure." - Lee Doyle   Trending Terms commodity hardware virtual network functions hypervisor NFV MANO NFVi ETSI software defined networking   Learning Center Software-based networks lay foundation of networking's future Software-based networks open up a range of evolutionary technologies that network engineers can apply to better support their organization's business goals. Where does NFV deployment stand today? Networking expert Lee Doyle looks into the status of NFV deployment among service providers and what factors could drive -- or impede -- NFV growth in 2018. Service providers use NFV open source to innovate the network NFV open source deployments grow, as service providers implement it in new applications. But continued code contribution, governing and testing challenges remain. NFV vs. VNF: What's the difference? NFV versus VNF: Is there a difference? The two networking approaches have related but distinct meanings, according to SDN engineer Darien Hirotsu. 5G architecture plus NFV, SDN offers performance gains Using SDN and NFV with 5G architecture could create the most advanced network architecture to date, one expert said. But 5G doesn't require those technologies. Writing for Business The latest version of the server has a hypervisor?_________ is embedded within the core system firmware. A. which B. that Answer   Correction: Yesterday's 'Writing for Business' answer had a typographical error. We have made a correction.     Stay In Touch For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com   Visit the Word of the Day Archives and catch up on what you've missed!   FOLLOW US About This E-Newsletter This e-newsletter is published by the TechTarget network. To unsubscribe from Whatis.com, click here. Please note, this will not affect any other subscriptions you have signed up for. TechTarget, Whatis, 275 Grove Street, Newton, MA 02466. Contact: webmaster@techtarget.com Copyright 2018 TechTarget. All rights reserved.