Network Function Virtualization

Preface

About three years ago, we attempted to capture the state of the art in one of the most game changing technological shifts in the networking industry since Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) came onto the scene. This meant the capture, corraling, and definition for the reader of the fabled unicorn of Software Designed Networks (SDN). We continue to lobby hard for the glitter-horned unicorn because we did see it then and now as necessary technology.

This time the unicorn is called Network Function Virtualization (NFV). Unsurprisingly, many of the issues, questions, concerns and confusion around its definition and efficacy paint the same background as when we wrote on SDN. Again, have set out with the goal to clearly define first what ...