1.5.2 Software Defined Networking And The Emergence of VNFs

[SaadUSheikh]

Update Last Para : Main idea is common set of DevOps CI/CD tools serving hybrid environment

In a sense, cloud native for telcos will require a transformation that is actually not dissimilar from the era of forklifting over monolithic legacy applications into virtual environments. This next evolution will require the decoupling of tightly bundled functions and processes to create a more resilient, manageable, and performant infrastructure that derives immutability precisely from its ephemerality. For these considerations to successfully achieve widespread adoption, CNFs will have to first be introduced alongside VNFs and PNFs (physical network functions) and will need to fit into operational models that govern those earlier types of network functions. Finding sensible integration points between emerging greenfields and legacy brownfields will be crucial to the success and adoption of cloud native practices at larger telcos. CTO offices and architecture groups must find ways to stitch CNFs into existing layer 2 and 3 domains, integrate CNFs into existing management systems currently present in the service providers' networks, and find common set of tools and methodologies to step wise introduce modern DevOps practices, such as continuous integration (CI) ,continuous deployment/delivery (CD) and most important continuous testing for the hybrid PNF/VNF/CNF world. How to operationalize and manage a immutable infrastructure is critical piece in the modern era networks .These achievable objectives are crucial as they provide executives both a means of capturing a return on investment with their existing infrastructure and a realistic path forward in adopting a more holistic cloud native approach