NFV/SDN Synergy

Feasibility and synergy between network functions virtualization and software defined networking (2015 – 2017). Funded by FAPESP.

Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) have entered the networking scene as a reaction against proprietary closed-box routers and switches that combine routing with additional dedicated functionality. SDN introduces separate software abstractions for both planes. This allows network operators to write custom control software to steer the forwarding behaviour of routers. The concept of a VNF enables to extend these ideas towards network services implementing core network functions in virtualized standard server technology while delivering high-performance packet processing. This project seeks to investigate how VNF may benefit from SDN, which refers to the capability of defining the behaviour of routing and switching equipment via open software-based interfaces. Towards its viability in scope of a mobile operator (EPC – Evolved Packet Core), the proposed integrated architecture will be prototyped at 10Gbps with cost-effective commodity server running NFV, embracing bare metal SDN switches and best of breed open source software components such as OpenDaylight, Open vSwitch, and OpenStack among others..