In this lesson, we're going to explore
network function virtualization.
Network function virtualization, also known as NFV,
is a transformative concept
that's reshaping telecommunications by introducing agility
and flexibility to our once rigid
and hardware dependent networks.
Traditionally, network services like routing, firewalling,
load balancing and intrusion detection
were carried out by dedicated hardware appliances.
These devices were built to be robust and reliable,
but they also introduced a lot of constraints
in terms of our scalability, speed of deployment, and cost.
To solve this network function virtualization was created
and this provides us with the ability
to have greater network flexibility
and the ability to respond faster to the growing demand
for cloud services and virtualization technologies.
NFV is able to extract our network functions
from the hardware that they ran on,
and instead, it's now going to rely on software applications
known as VFS or virtual network functions.
These virtual network functions can be deployed
and operate on standard commercial off the shelf servers
that are less expensive and more versatile
than the specialized hardware appliances that we used
in the past.
Basically, with network function virtualization,
we're going to be installing and configuring a new firewall
without having to buy a new hardware appliance.
And instead, it's a lot more like downloading a new app
on your smartphone, but this time it's for your data center
and your enterprise network environments.
Network function virtualization relies on three main
components for it to work.
These are the NFV infrastructure,
the management network orchestration,
and the virtual network functions.
First, we have the NFV infrastructure.
The NFV infrastructure includes all the hardware
and the virtual resources necessary for deploying, managing,
and executing VNF or virtual network functions.
This is a computational storage
and network resources
that we're going to provide a virtualization layer.
On top of second, we have the management
and network orchestration,
or MANO, which is spelled out M-A-N-O.
Now, the management and network orchestration component is
really the brains of the network function virtualization.
MANO oversees the lifecycle management
of the virtual network functions,
and it orchestrates the resources across the NFVI
to ensure that all the functions are being deployed
efficiently and can scale up or down
based on the current demand levels.
Third, we have virtual network functions known as VNFs.
Now, the virtual network functions are the software
implementations of our network functions
that were traditionally bound to the hardware appliances.
Each virtual network function is going to be instantiated
on the NFV infrastructure
and can be chained together
with other virtual network functions
to create a full scale network service.
Now, there are many benefits
of using network function virtualization.
One of the primary advantages
is the ability to have more flexibility
and the ability to conduct rapid deployments.
With network function virtualization,
our network services can be scaled up or down on the fly,
without the need for physical hardware installations
to occur first.
This ability to dynamically adapt
to changing network demands is crucial in today's digital
landscape where our user needs
and traffic patterns can shift rapidly and unpredictably.
Now, another significant benefit is the cost efficiencies
when using network function virtualization,
by moving away from proprietary hardware appliances
and instead relying on traditional commercial off the shelf
server technology,
our organizations can reduce their capital expenditures.
Also with the decoupling of the software and hardware,
upgrading or scaling services no longer requires hardware
replacements each time,
and this also leads to lower operational costs.
It's important to note though that the transition
to network function virtualization
isn't without its challenges.
Security concerns the complexity of managing
and orchestrating virtualized functions,
and the need for skilled personnel
who are proficient in virtualization technologies
are some of the most common hurdles that organizations
are facing when trying to transition
from a more traditional hardware
appliance-based network functions
to this newer network function virtualization infrastructure
and its virtual network functions.
So remember, NFV or network function virtualization
does represent a significant leap forward
in network management
and operation by offering unprecedented levels
of flexibility, scalability, and cost efficiency
to our organizations.
Network function virtualization
relies on three main components to work,
the NFV infrastructure,
the management and network orchestration,
and the virtual network functions.
By using virtualization technology,
our network functions can be installed
and configured just like software applications
instead of relying on dedicated pieces
of hardware appliances.
And this can increase our scalability
while also decreasing our capital expenditures
and reducing our overall cost.