Cloud-native network function
 | This article may be too technical for most readers to understand. (August 2020) |
A cloud-native network function (CNF) is a software-implementation of a function, or application, traditionally performed on a physical device, but which runs inside Linux containers (typically orchestrated by Kubernetes).[1][2][3] The features that differ CNFs from VNFs (virtualized network functions), one of the components of network function virtualization, is the approach in their orchestration.
In ETSI NFV standards, the cloud-native network functions are a particular type of virtualized network functions[4] and are orchestrated as VNFs, i.e. using the ETSI NFV MANO architecture and technology-agnostic descriptors (e.g. TOSCA, YANG). In that case, the upper layers of the ETSI NFV MANO architecture (i.e. the NFVO and VNFM) cooperate with a container infrastructure service management (CISM) function[5] that is typically implemented using cloud-native orchestration solutions (e.g. Kubernetes).
The characteristics of cloud-native network functions are:[6][7]
- containerized microservices 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
- lifecycle manageable by Kubernetes, using container images registries such as OCI Docker, and OS container runtime.
Relation to network function virtualization[edit]
These characteristics address many of the common issues found with the first generation of 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][6] A specification of criteria to classify and characterize cloud-native VNF implementations can be found in ETSI GS NFV-EVE 011.[8]
Cloud Native Computing Foundation[edit]
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.[9] The CNCF project also created a CNF Testbed, in order to facilitate a common test-ground for various cloud-native network functions.[10]
References[edit]
- ^ "Cloud Native Network Functions (CNF)". Ligato.io.
- ^ a b c "What is a CNF?". CDNF.io.
- ^ cloud-native-principles/cloud-native-principles, cloud-native-principles, 2020-07-21, retrieved 2020-07-22
- ^ "NFV FAQ". nfvwiki.etsi.org. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "ETSI GS NFV-IFA 040" (PDF). www.etsi.org. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
- ^ a b "Cloud-Native Network Functions". Cisco.
- ^ cncf/cnf-testbed, Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), 2020-07-20, retrieved 2020-07-22
- ^ "ETSI GS NFV-EVE 011" (PDF). www.etsi.org. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "FAQ". Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- ^ cncf (2019-02-25). "CNCF Launches Cloud Native Network Functions (CNF) Testbed". Cloud Native Computing Foundation. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
11. Cloud Native Computing Foundation, (http://www.cncf.io)