On telecommunication architectures: From Intelligent Network to Network Functions Virtualization

The paper discusses the undergoing network architecture massive transformation, primarily by virtualization and Software Defined Network (SDN) technologies. Network Functions Virtualization consolidates many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume servers, switches, and storage, which could be located in Data Centers, Network Nodes and in the end user premises. However, the question arises: are these concepts implementable from software developer point of view? The future of NFV approach depends on software developer activities. To talk about the NFV destiny, we try to overview the changes in telecom technologies: from ISDN and SS7, as well as All-IP concept, to SDN and its relationship with NFV. The conclusion is devoted to the discussion of NFV future from the software development point of view.