Future of Connectivity: How Network Function Virtualization (NFV) Shapes Networks

Network Function Virtualization more commonly abbreviated as NFV can be described as a strategy that network operators use to lower costs and speed up service delivery by separating such functions as a firewall or encryption from specific hardware and instead running them on virtual servers.
NFV derived its conception from demands of telecommunication service providers globally to expedite the instantiation of new forms of network services and to meet their revenue and future business potential.

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is an innovative paradigm by which networking functions are separated from the physical network elements in which they are deployed, switching and routing functionality is implemented through virtual software’s running on standard high-speed commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) servers, rather than proprietary hardware. As new networks emerge to favor new applications and services, especially with reference to the 5G and beyond, then the role of NFV will become much more vital. In order to meet the requirements for ultra-low latency, high bandwidth, and massive connectivity that 5G networks are to provide, highly flexible, and to a great extent automated network infrastructures are required. This next-generation network architecture is built using NFV, alongside SDN and various cloud-native concepts.

NFV is basic to unique network orientations like Network slicing in which numerous logical networks are built on the single physical structure that addresses individual application needs. This capability is crucial in enabling a plethora of applications that includes autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and the industrial revolution.

Source: ciena.com/

The traditional model of network architecture has always involved the use of separate, dedicated hardware platforms for each of the network services. This approach however is rather costly and rigid, not easily adaptable to changed service requirements or advances in technology. Cloud computing and virtualization that took place in early 2000s were the early indication of the fact that separation of software from the hardware is possible and that the utilizations are flexible. Stimulated by these advancements, the telecom industry started to research in the similar areas and hence NFV came into picture.

NFV emerged in 2012 when a group of operators unveiled the concept to the world with support from the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), which gave NFV most of its structural guidelines. The objectives at the forefront were to counter the lack of flexibility in delivering services, to accommodate more traffic in the system and, equally important, to launch new services without being hampered by physical hardware constraints.

Relationship between NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) and SDN (Software-Defined Networking)

• NFV focuses on virtualizing network functions, such as firewalls, routers, and load balancers, which traditionally run on proprietary hardware. It enables these functions to be deployed as software on general-purpose servers, enhancing network scalability and flexibility.
• SDN separates the control plane from the data plane in network devices. The control plane resides in the software defined network controller level from which the behaviour of the data plane devices (switches, routers etc) can be managed. This decoupling provides a degree of Flexibility Programmability Automation Dynamism in the network management.
• SDN offers the dynamic and flexible management of the network paths while on the other hand, NFV offers the application of flexible network functions in the form of software that can be instantiated or migrated. Together, they enable end-to-end network service orchestration, automation, and optimization across both physical and virtual network environments. SDN is capable of controlling traffic flow between VNFs within an NFV architecture to avoid wastage of resources and guarantee the best delivery of services.

Importance of NFV

The constant increase in the flows, various types of connected devices, multimedia, and newcomers such as the Internet of Things and the 5G networks call for a more flexible and scalable method of network traffic control. NFV addresses several critical needs of modern networks:

1. Agility and Flexibility: Traditional networks have rigid and centralized structures hence when something new like installation of a new hardware or configuration of a device has to be made it has to go through a tiresome, manual run through. NFV allows service providers to rapidly instantiate and upgrade network functions as software when needed, thereby lessening time needed to deploy new services.
2. Cost Efficiency: Using industry standard off-the-shelf servers to implement VNFs eliminates the need for costly bespoke hardware software appliances and leads to lower CapEx and OpEx. It reduces the dependence on expensive and specialized hardware and harnesses resources dynamically according to the needs through scaling.
3. NFV facilitates easy scaling of network functions to accommodate fluctuating traffic volumes. Network functions can be scaled horizontally or vertically without the constraints of physical hardware limitations, enabling networks to adapt more readily to varying service demands.

Architecture of NFV

The architectural model of NFV focuses more on separating the network functions from dedicated hardware which would is then be run as software on a virtual platform. This architecture, defined by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), is made of several components that help in the deployment, the management and the scaling of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs). According to the NFV reference architecture, the key sub-components are the NFV Infrastructure (NFVI), Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) and NFV Management and Orchestration (MANO)..

Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs)

Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) are the main functional blocks of the NFV architecture and refer to the software incarnations of network functions. VNFs are deployed, run, and depend on the virtualization resources available in the NFVI utilizing compute, storage, and networking facilities to offer fundamental network services. VNFs can lie in a very basic realm such as firewalls or be as sophisticated as the virtual mobile core networks.

Network Functions Virtualisation Infrastructure (NFVI)

The Network Functions Virtualisation Infrastructure (NFVI) comprise the physical and virtual infrastructure of NFV which delivers hardware and software resources required for the execution and administration of VNFs. It is important to notice that the NFVI is actually an interface that hides the physical resources required to support the service and provides virtual resources where VNFs can be hosted and managed. It consists of three main components: hardware resources, virtualization layer, and virtualized resources.

NFV Management and Orchestration (MANO)

MANO is a key element of the architectural model of NFV since it encompasses all the efforts related to the extensive management and orchestration of the VNFs and the infrastructure they are built upon. By applying MANO, network services can be provisioned, operated, and orchestrated properly and in an automated scheme. It comprises three main functional blocks: They include NFV Orchestrator (NFVO), Virtualized Network Function Manager (VNFM), and Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM). MANO framework important for the control and orchestration of network virtualization services as it allows network operators to deploy and manage the network functions swiftly and at large.

Source: tec.gov.in/

The Future of Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) has revolutionalised the telecommunications sector by allowing service providers to transition from hardware-centred, network appliances to software-based solutions. But as the technology advances, the future pros of NFV are in the category of high future potential. The subsequent trends and development are anticipated to define the future road map of NFV

Integration with 5G Networks
NFV is expected to be one of the key paradigms driven by 5G technology, which offers ultra-low latency, high throughput, and enormous connectivity. The control of network functions by deploying them virtually and dynamically will be crucial when addressing the requirements for the various 5G application scenarios.

When combined with Software Defined Networking NFV will enable operators to build multiple sliceable virtual networks on the same physical infrastructure. Each slice can be customized to meet the needs of specific applications or user groups, such as IoT devices, enhanced mobile broadband, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC).

The Role of NFV in 6G Networks

The impact of NFV in the transition to 6G and other future technologies will be even more significant, as 6G is expected to be commercially available around 2030 going beyond the 5G expectations with extremely high data rates, very low latency and integration of technologies including AI, Terahertz communication and holographic communication.

6G will introduce hyper-slicing to the network slicing where slices can be made, changed, and broken apart in milliseconds. The highly dynamic and granular slices will be critical for applications such as real-time holographic telepresence and immersive digital environments where NFV will help to support such flexible architectures.

AI and Machine learning will be an integrated part of the 6G network for the management of resources and for cognitive maintenance and smart Service Creation, Execution and Orchestration. NFV will allow users to deploy efficient learning real time AI network functions that will help improve network and user experience.

6G is expected to define new spectrum bands, including terahertz (THz) and visible light communication (VLC) to further increase data rates. NFV will enable introducing new functions capable of managing these new frequencies and integrating them with current networks.

Innovations and Patents in Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Technology
Huawei Technologies Co Ltd – Flexible Orchestration and Resource Management for NFV

The priority issue solved by this patent (EP3133794A1) is the rigid and complicated process of implementing the network service orchestration function and resource management orchestration function in the NFV network. In the earlier versions, both operations are highly integrated and performed under a single line of NFVO (Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator). This coupling makes deployment challenging, especially for large-scale network when different layers of resource management and services need to be implemented in different and logically distinct entities.

The proposed solution involves the separation of the network service orchestration (NSO) function and resource management orchestration (RO) function to two nodes of the core network. The NSO node is responsible for the network service scheduling, and the RO node is the resource managing one; therefore, it is easier to deploy and scale each function of the cluster. This decoupling enable the hierarchical right of the resource, which is beneficial for the scale and different deployments required by large cellular architectures. The NSO node also has the ability to communicate with other entities like virtualized network function managers (VNFM), catalogs, and virtualized infrastructure managers (VIM) to enhance functions and control resources.

Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (PUBL) – Proactive Resource Management for NFV Infrastructure Adjustments

This patent (EP3427439B1) describes problems associated with resource management in a Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) infrastructure. The largest highlighted issue is the flexibility and topology of the physical and virtual resources’ allocation within the NFV Management and Orchestration (MANO) system which may undergo changes according to the plan, for instance, during a maintenance period or optimization procedure. Unlike traditional methods of resource allocation, there is no indication of current network services to ensure that allocation of resources does not affect the current services in terms of flow or interruption. The solution proposed here is a method where NFV Orchestrator (NFVO) predicts the effects of resource changes on network services in advance of their modification. This requires establishing if online resources could be moved, knowing that such changes could affect service delivery. Accordingly, the orchestrator will consult the VIM to deploy the adjustment seamlessly without further problems. This approach improves the effectiveness of managing resources in virtualized networks and reduces their dependence on external resources.  

NEC Corp – MLA-Based Distributed Management and Orchestration System for NFV Infrastructure

This patent (US11265222B2) addresses the problem of how to offer multiple tenants management and orchestration (MANO) systems on a Network Function Virtualization (NFV) platform. The situation is due to harnessing a centralized MANO adopted by Cloud Service Providers (CSPs), resulting in performance degradation, reliability, and restricted tenant control. Tenants are forced to depend on the centralized MANO system hence results in delays and conflicts.

The solution that has been proposed is one in which each tenant retains a MANO instance or a ‘t-MANO,’ which operates based on the autonomy that is agreed to by Management Level Agreements (MLAs). This enables the tenants to directly manage and coordinate the resources and polices without having to rely on the MANO system hence freeing up the system from performance hitches. The MANO system dominates the tenants’ activities to maintain the compliance with the agreed MLAs, so the tenants do not interfere with each other. It improves scalability, dependability, and general functioning within NFV settings through decentralization.

Apple Inc – Devices and Methods for Using NFV and Virtualized Resource Performance Data to Improve Network PerformanceBottom of Form

This patent (EP3357193B1) addresses the challenge related to managing and achieving high availability for virtualized network functions (VNFs) within the NFV environment. The main problem here is that the current usual hardware-based performance metrics based on traditional processors are unable to fit well enough to the virtual world. The patent describes dependence on accurate performance data to manage VNF and NFVI performance as more traditional measures of hardware performance may not apply to virtual environments and could result in inefficient allocation of resources for improving VNF performance and the equivalent performance of the networks that support them.

The solution proposed involves collecting detailed virtualized resource performance measurements for VNFs and the underlying NFVI, such as CPU usage, memory, network latency, and bandwidth utilization. These measurements enable dynamic optimization of resource allocation and better performance management. The NFV Management and Orchestration (MANO) system uses this data to allocate, adjust, and reclaim resources as needed, ensuring efficient and reliable network function performance and improved service quality for end users.