“Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) explicitly targets the two biggest problems facing network operators: bringing costs in line with revenue growth expectations and improving service velocity.”
Rajeev Tiwari.
Two helpful opinion pieces regarding NFV are shown below:
- Why Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)?? by Rajeev Tiwari
- WTF is… NFV by Tony Smith
The network functions described by Mr Tiwari as suitable for virtualisation include (but certainly not limited to):
- Application-level optimisation: CDNs (Content Delivery Networks), Cache Servers, Load Balancers, Application Accelerators
- Mobile networks: HLR/HSS (Home Location Register/Home Subscriber Server), MME (Mobility Management Entity), SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node), GGSN/PDN-GW (Gateway GPRS support node / Public Data Network Gateway), Base Station, EPC (Evolved Packet Core)
- Home environment: home router, set-top-box
- Security functions: Firewalls, intrusion detection/protection systems, virus scanners, spam protection
- Tunnelling gateway elements: IPSec/SSL VPN gateways
- Traffic analysis/forensics: DPI (Deep Packet Inspection), QoE measurement
- Traffic Monitoring, Service Assurance, SLA (Service Level Agreement) monitoring, Test and Diagnostics
- NGN (Next Generation Network) signalling: SBCs (Session Border Controllers), IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem)
- Converged and network-wide functions: AAA (Authentication / Authorization / Accounting) servers, policy control and charging platforms
- Switching elements: BNG (Broadband Network Gateway), CG-NAT (Carrier Grade Network Address Translation), routers
A graphical view of the historical approach versus the NFV approach to network functional elements