Tech Kaizen: Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP)

Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) project addresses the rising need for a common automation platform for telecommunication, cable, and cloud service providers and their solution providers that enables the automation of different lifecycle processes, to deliver differentiated network services on demand, profitably and competitively, while leveraging existing investments. It is an open source software platform that delivers robust capabilities for the design, creation, orchestration, monitoring, and life cycle management of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) environments, as well as Software-Defined Networks (SDN).

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) allows network operators to reduce their dependence on single-purpose appliances by taking functions that were previously built into hardware and implementing them in software that runs on industry-standard servers, network, and storage platforms. Beyond reducing network operators’ dependency on dedicated hardware, leveraging NFV enables more programmability in the network and greatly reduces the complexity and time-to-market associated with introducing new services.

Network Function Virtualization(NFV) is a way to reduce cost and accelerate service deployment for network operators by decoupling functions like a firewall or encryption from dedicated hardware and moving them to virtual servers. Instead of installing expensive proprietary hardware, service providers can purchase inexpensive switches, storage and servers to run virtual machines that perform network functions. This collapses multiple functions into a single physical server, reducing costs and minimizing truck rolls. If a customer wants to add a new network function, the service provider can simply spin up a new virtual machine to perform that function. For example, instead of deploying a new hardware appliance across the network to enable network encryption, encryption software can be deployed on a standardized server or switch already in the network.

Software Defined Networking(SDN) technology is an approach to network management that enables dynamic, programmatically efficient network configuration in order to improve network performance and monitoring, making it more like cloud computing than traditional network management.

SDN vs NFV:

Network Functions Virtualization is highly complementary to Software-Defined Networking (SDN) but not dependent on it (or vice-versa). Network Functions Virtualization can be implemented without an SDN being required, although the two concepts and solutions can be combined and potentially greater value accrued.

Network Functions Virtualization goals can be achieved using non-SDN mechanisms, relying on the techniques currently in use in many data centers. But approaches relying on the separation of the control and data forwarding planes as proposed by SDN can enhance performance, simplify compatibility with existing deployments, and facilitate operation and maintenance procedures. NFV is able to support SDN by providing the infrastructure upon which the SDN software can be run. Furthermore, Network Functions Virtualization aligns closely with the SDN objectives to use commodity servers and switches.