SDN- NFV ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES & USECASES
1What is Network Function Virtualization (NFV)?
NFV is a network architecture concept that uses software to perform network functions (like firewall, router, load balancer) that traditionally ran on hardware devices.
🔹 Usage / Applications (5 Points)
Replace physical network devices (e.g., routers, firewalls).
Cloud-based telecom services (VoIP, IMS).
Dynamic network scaling during traffic surges.
Faster deployment of services in 5G networks.
Network slicing for IoT, video, and other use cases.
🔹 Working (5 Points)
Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) run on standard servers.
NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) provides computing, storage, and networking.
Orchestration system manages resources and automates functions.
VNFs communicate over virtual networks instead of cables.
Everything is centrally controlled using software.
🔹 Architecture (5 Points)
VNF (Virtual Network Functions) – e.g., virtual firewall, NAT.
NFV Infrastructure (NFVI) – physical resources (CPU, storage, network).
NFV MANO (Management and Orchestration) – controls lifecycle of VNFs.
Virtualization Layer – enables hardware sharing (e.g., hypervisor).
Service Layer – provides end-user network services.
🔹 Advantages (5 Points)
Reduces hardware costs.
Faster service deployment.
Improves scalability and flexibility.
Centralized management.
Supports innovation in 5G and edge computing.
🔹 Risks / Challenges (5 Points)
Security concerns in virtual environments.
Performance overhead due to virtualization.
Complex orchestration and management.
Interoperability issues between vendors.
Need for skilled professionals.
🔹 Types of VNFs (5 Examples)
vRouter – Virtual router
vFirewall – Virtual firewall
vLoad Balancer – Distributes traffic
vNAT – Virtual network address translator
vIDS/vIPS – Intrusion detection/prevention systems
How NFV Works (Simple Steps):
NFV Infrastructure (NFVI):
This is the foundation layer with physical servers, storage, and network devices.
It provides the raw computing power.
Virtualization Layer:
This layer uses hypervisors or containers to create virtual machines (VMs).
It allows multiple Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) to run on shared hardware.
Virtual Network Functions (VNFs):
These are software versions of traditional hardware (like firewall, router, etc.).
VNFs run on the virtual machines created in the virtualization layer.
NFV Orchestrator (MANO):
MANO stands for Management and Orchestration.
It manages VNFs—deploying, monitoring, scaling, and updating them automatically.
User Request → VNF → Virtualization → NFVI:
When a network task is needed (like routing data), the request is handled by a VNF, which runs on a virtual machine, which uses physical hardware from the NFVI.
📦 Example:
Let’s say you want to use a firewall feature:
A virtual firewall VNF is launched.
It runs in a virtual machine on shared servers.
The orchestrator makes sure it’s running correctly and scales it up if traffic increases.