What is Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)?

Ian Marsden

Founder & CTO

LinkedIn

It’s all in the name: Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) or Virtual Network Function (VNF) is an innovative way to virtualize network functions and services, allowing the user to interact at the server level.

NFV enables mobile network operators (MNOs) to abstract physical resources into virtual resources. This allows MNOs to expand the capabilities of their networks through software-based applications.

Enterprises adopting an NFV approach can accelerate innovation, achieve greater flexibility, and reduce expenditure by collapsing multiple functions into one by replacing network appliance hardware with virtual machines (VM). More enterprises are turning to NFV as it removes the complexity and restraints of managing physical devices, and services can be customised to its needs.

How network functions virtualization works

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) brings together an international community of operators, cloud players, manufacturers and IT players who have helped to define NFV standards. They categorise three main components of NFV architecture, namely:

1. Virtualized network functions (VNFs) are software applications that can be deployed on a NFVI.
2. Virtualized network functions managers (VNFM) are responsible for the management of virtualized network functions and lifecycle management.
3. Element Managers (EM) look after the functional components such as security management, performance, configuration, fault, and accounting.
4. NFV infrastructure (NFVI) relates to the physical and virtual resources where NFVs are deployed (connectivity is considered part of NFV infrastructure) and the virtualization layer where physical resources are abstracted into virtual.
5. Virtualized infrastructure managers (VIM) look after and control the NFVI.
6. Network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) is responsible for the management, creation, and termination of network services of VNF.
7. Operation Support System / Business Support System (OSS/BSS) refers to OSS/BSS of an operator – it can be integrated with NFV management and network orchestration. The OSS handles service management, configuration, network, and faults. The BSS looks after product, order, and custom management.
8. Management, automation, and network orchestration (MANO) is the architectural framework – the backbone – for managing the NFV infrastructure and orchestrating network changes.

The relationship between network orchestration and network functions virtualization

Network orchestration (sometimes referred to as software defined networking) and network functions virtualization have a complementary relationship.

According to ETSI, ‘the former [network orchestration] provides the means to dynamically control the network and the provisioning of networks as a service, the latter [NFV] offers the capability to manage and orchestrate the virtualization of resources for the provisioning of network functions and their composition into higher-layer network services’.

Network orchestration – provides a top-down view of the network infrastructure by decoupling the control plane from the forwarding plane. This enables the provisioning of network services in response to user requirements.

Network functions virtualization – virtualizes network functions and removes them from hardware. Provisioning is more efficient when network functions are handled at the software level.

NFV should be factored into Enterprise IoT projects and network development from the beginning. With NFV, Enterprises can lessen the reliance on hardware and save on both space and power too. This technology empowers Enterprises with the ability to scale at speed while responding to changing network needs. To truly harness the benefits of NFV, it’s advised to pair this approach with network orchestration for flexible IoT deployments.

Four benefits of network functions virtualization

• Reduces CapEX and OpEX by decreasing need for dedicated hardware.
• Improves scalability as software can be rolled out quickly and managed remotely anywhere within the operator’s network.
• Greater agility to respond instantaneously to changing network traffic and service conditions, plus the flexibility to scale networks up and down.
• Easier maintenance as a software-based network does not require on-site installation or repairs and updates can be dynamically configured over-the-air without interruption to customers.

Ian Marsden

Founder & CTO

LinkedIn

Ian has a passion for developing technology-based solutions that deliver real improvements to businesses, the environment and quality of life.

Previously he co-founded CompXs to deliver the world’s first ZigBee design. Prior to CompXs, Ian held senior software leadership roles at Philips and has since spearheaded the ground-breaking innovation of our global AnyNet Secure cellular solution.