Cloud-Native Network Function

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Cloud-Native Network Function (CNF) is a software-implementation of a network function, which runs inside a linux container (typically Kubernetes), which would traditionally be performed by a physical device.[1][2][3] Cloud-Native Network Functions are a successor to Virtualized Network Functions, one of the components of Network Function Virtualization. The characteristics of Cloud-Native Functions are:[4][5]

  • Containerized micro-services that communicate with each-other via standardized RESTful APIs
  • Small performance footprint, with the ability to scale horizontally
  • Independence of guest operating system, since CNFs operate as containers
  • Manageable by Kubernetes, Docker, or any container runtime

Network Function Virtualization[]

These characteristics address many of the common issues found with VNFs, by incorporating many of the innovations deployed commonly in the internet infrastructure. These include auto-scaling,[2] supporting a continuous delivery/DevOps deployment model, and efficiency gains by sharing common services across platforms. Through service discovery and orchestration, a system based on CNFs will be more resilient to node failure.[2][4]

Cloud Native Computing Foundation[]

The Linux Foundation backed Cloud Native Computing Foundation project is actively supporting companies in contributing to open-source projects like Kubernetes or Prometheus, upon which Cloud Native Network Functions can be based on.[6] The CNCF project also created a CNF Testbed, in order to facilitate a common test-ground for various cloud-native network functions.[7] Custom Cloud-Native Network Functions are developed by several companies, such as Cisco, Ericsson, or Red Hat.[8]

References[]

  1. ^ "Cloud Native Network Functions (CNF)". Ligato.io.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ a b c "What is a CNF?". CDNF.io.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ cloud-native-principles/cloud-native-principles, cloud-native-principles, 2020-07-21, retrieved 2020-07-22
  4. ^ a b "Cloud-Native Network Functions". Cisco.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ cncf/cnf-testbed, Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), 2020-07-20, retrieved 2020-07-22
  6. ^ "FAQ". Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  7. ^ cncf (2019-02-25). "CNCF Launches Cloud Native Network Functions (CNF) Testbed". Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
  8. ^ "Running cloud-native network functions with confidence on Red Hat OpenShift". www.redhat.com. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
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