Network Function Virtualization

Network function virtualization (NFV) represents a significant transformation for telecommunications/service provider networks, driven by the goals of reducing cost, increasing flexibility, and providing personalized services. The objective of NFV is to separate software that defines the virtualized network function (VNF) from hardware and generic software that creates a generic hosting network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVI). This chapter focuses on the basic building blocks of NFV. ETSI working group has defined a few use cases for NFV. The chapter also introduces the high‐level description of each use case in telecom network. NFV management and orchestration component, that is, management and network orchestration (MANO), is an integral piece of NFV architecture and a critical component to the success of NFV. According to ETSI's MANO working group, it contains three key components: the NFV orchestrator, VNF manager, and virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM). The chapter further discusses the challenges in virtualizing the NFs and using them in telecom network.