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Network+ Exam

Network Function Virtuilizaiton

October 29, 2025

  • #network+

Network Function Virtuilizaiton

Relies on software appliation known as VNF virtual network functions. Install and use

NFV Infrastrucure - all hardware and virtual resouces nesseacry for deployin gvnf

Management and network orchestraction (MANO) oversees the livecycle management of the VNFs AND ORCHESTRATES THE RESOURCE across the NFVI

brains of the operatin

Virtual network functions - software implementations of networks functios that were tradationally bound to hardwar appliances

Flexability and rapid deployments

Coft efficency no longer need new hrdwre

Security

complexity

installation

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)

Concept

  • NFV replaces traditional hardware-based network appliances (firewalls, load balancers, routers, IDS/IPS, etc.) with software-based Virtual Network Functions (VNFs).
  • Runs on virtual machines or containers instead of requiring new physical devices.

Key Components

  1. NFV Infrastructure (NFVI)
    • All hardware + virtualization resources needed to run VNFs.
    • Includes servers, storage, networking, hypervisors.
  2. Virtual Network Functions (VNFs)
    • Software versions of networking functions.
    • Examples: virtual firewall, virtual load balancer, virtual router.
  3. Management and Orchestration (MANO)
    • The “brains” of NFV.
    • Oversees VNF lifecycle (deploy, scale, update, retire).
    • Orchestrates resource use across NFVI for efficiency.

Advantages

  • Flexibility – deploy and update services rapidly.
  • Cost Efficiency – no need for specialized hardware.
  • Scalability – add/remove resources quickly.
  • Improved Security – can patch and update VNFs faster than hardware.

Challenges

  • Complexity – requires skilled setup and orchestration.
  • Performance Overhead – software may be slower than dedicated hardware.
  • Installation & Integration – must integrate VNFs into existing infrastructure.

✅ Exam Must-Knows

  • NFV uses VNFs instead of hardware appliances.
  • NFVI = hardware + virtualization layer.
  • MANO = lifecycle management + orchestration.
  • Benefits = cost savings, scalability, flexibility.
  • Trade-off = complexity, possible performance issues