NFV – Network Function Virtualization
(NFV) is a concept in telecom core network architecture that uses virtualization technologies to separate hardware from network services. NFV paves way for use of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware to run core telecom applications and software. This greatly cuts telecom CAPEX and OPEX budgets, stops vendor-lock-in, avoids forklift upgrades and increases scalability.
The Key Elements of NFV include:
NFVI – NFV Infrastructure; That is the physical infrastructure which includes CPU, Storage, Network and the Virtual Infrastructure which includes the Hypervisor, Virtual Compute, Virtual Storage and Virtual Network.
MANO – Management and Network Orchestration which includes the NFV Orchestrator, VNF Manager, and Virtual Infrastructure Manager (VIM).
VNFs – Virtualized Network Functions
