Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Word of the Day: virtual network functions (VNF)

Word of the Day WhatIs.com
Daily updates on the latest technology terms | September 19, 2018
virtual network functions (VNF)

Virtual network functions (VNFs) are virtualized tasks formerly carried out by proprietary, dedicated hardware. VNFs move individual network functions out of dedicated hardware devices into software that runs on commodity hardware. These tasks, used by both network service providers and businesses, include firewalls, domain name system (DNS), caching or network address translation (NAT) and can run as virtual machines (VMs).

VNFs can be linked together like building blocks in a process known as service chaining. Although the concept is not new, service chaining -- and the application provisioning process -- is simplified and shortened using VNFs.

Benefits of using VNFs

Traditionally, new services and network functions are installed manually, configured along with their dedicated hardware devices or boxes. But for example, with service chaining, if certain functions need to be linked to perform a desired sequence, each dedicated device needs to be manually cabled together accordingly. Since VNFs virtualize those functions, eliminating the need for specific hardware, new functions can be deployed as VMs more quickly.

VNFs can help increase network scalability and agility, while also enabling better use of network resources. Other benefits include reducing power consumption and increasing available physical space, since VNFs replace physical hardware. These benefits also result in reduced operational and capital expenditure.

History of NFV and VNFs

Service providers saw the potential for virtualized functions to simplify provisioning and make service customization for their customers easier. In 2012, a group of service providers -- AT&T, BT, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telecom Italia, Telef?nica and Verizon -- presented the concept of network functions virtualization (NFV) at the SDN and OpenFlow World Congress.

Although the two acronyms are sometimes used interchangeably, NFV and VNF mean two different things. Individual VNFs are a primary component of an overall NFV architecture. NFV architecture also includes NFV management, automation and orchestration (MANO) framework and NFV infrastructure. NFV infrastructure includes computing, storage and networking components -- both software and hardware -- used as the foundation for virtualized functions. All of these NFV elements must then communicate with existing operations and billing systems.

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) took charge of NFV development and standardization. In 2013, ETSI created the Industry Specification Group for Network Functions Virtualization (ISG NFV) to maintain NFV guidelines and specifications. Many other standards groups and open source projects are also working to further NFV deployments. NFV adoption has been slow, however, due to a lack of accepted NFV standards. This lack of NFV standards results in potential interoperability issues with VNFs and their associated software.

Quote of the Day

 

"A VNF refers to the implementation of a network function using software that is decoupled from the underlying hardware. This can lead to more agile networks, with significant Opex and Capex savings." - Darien Hirotsu

Learning Center

 

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At the AT&T Spark event, executive Amy Wheelus explained how AT&T has redefined the role of networking vendors, as it revamps its data centers to support future 5G applications.

Nuage Networks, Talari SD-WAN tack on multi-cloud connectivity
Support for multi-cloud connectivity is the name of the game these days for SD-WAN vendors, as proved by recent announcements from Nuage Networks and Talari.

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.

Network configuration tools: A primer
Network configuration tools are more essential for engineers now than ever, as networks transition from manual configuration to new strategic approaches.

Quiz Yourself

 
Application streaming and virtualization can help you _______ greater network efficiency.
a. attain
b. obtain

Answer

Stay in Touch

 
For feedback about any of our definitions or to suggest a new definition, please contact me at: mrouse@techtarget.com

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