* [Topics](/en/topics "Topics") * [Virtualization](/en/topics/virtualization "Virtualization") * What is NFV? What is NFV? ============ Published August 16, 2019•*2*-minute read Copy URL Jump to section --------------- OverviewNFV architectureSDN and NFVBenefitsWhy Red Hat? Overview -------- Network functions virtualization (NFV) is a way to [virtualize network services](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization), such as routers, firewalls, and load balancers, that have traditionally been run on proprietary hardware. These services are packaged as [virtual machines (VMs)](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-virtual-machine) on commodity hardware, which allows service providers to run their network on standard servers instead of proprietary ones. It is one of the primary components of a [telco cloud](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-telco-cloud), which is reshaping the telecommunications industry. With NFV, you don’t need to have dedicated hardware for each network function. NFV improves scalability and agility by allowing service providers to deliver new network services and applications on demand, without requiring additional hardware resources. NFV architecture ---------------- The NFV architecture proposed by the [European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI)](https://www.etsi.org/technologies/nfv) is helping to define standards for NFV implementation. Each component of the architecture is based on these standards to promote better stability and interoperability. NFV architecture consists of: * **Virtualized network functions (**[**VNFs**](/en/topics/cloud-native-apps/vnf-and-cnf-whats-the-difference)**)**are software applications that deliver network functions such as file sharing, directory services, and IP configuration. * **Network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVi)** consists of the [infrastructure components](/en/topics/cloud-computing/what-is-it-infrastructure)—compute, storage, networking—on a platform to support software, such as a [hypervisor](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-hypervisor) like [KVM](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-KVM) or a container management platform, needed to run network apps. * **Management, automation and network orchestration (MANO)** provides the framework for managing NFV infrastructure and provisioning new VNFs. [Explore Red Hat's virtualization solution](/en/products/virtualization) Recommended for you AI in Action: From Use Cases to Scalable Solutions -------------------------------------------------- [Watch the webinar](https://www.redhat.com/en/events/webinar/ai-action-from-use-cases-scalable-solutions?percmp=RHCTG0250000455235) Software-defined networking (SDN) and NFV ----------------------------------------- NFV and SDN are not dependent on each other, but they do have similarities. Both rely on virtualization and use network abstraction, but how they separate functions and abstract resources is different. SDN separates network forwarding functions from network control functions with the goal of creating a network that is centrally manageable and programmable. NFV abstracts network functions from hardware. NFV supports SDN by providing the infrastructure on which SDN software can run. NFV and SDN can be used together, depending on what you want to accomplish, and both use commodity hardware. With NFV and SDN, you can create a network architecture that is more flexible, programmable, and uses resources efficiently. The benefits of using NFV ------------------------- With NFV, service providers can run network functions on standard hardware instead of dedicated hardware. Also, because network functions are virtualized, multiple functions can be run on a single server. This means that less physical hardware is needed, which allows for resource consolidation that results in physical space, power, and overall cost reductions. NFV gives providers the flexibility to run VNFs across different servers or move them around as needed when demand changes. This flexibility lets service providers deliver services and apps faster. For example, if a customer requests a new network function, they can spin up a new VM to handle that request. If the function is no longer needed, the VM can be decommissioned. This can also be a low-risk way to test the value of a potential new service. [See how NFV is helping telcos adapt to edge computing](/en/topics/edge-computing/telecommunications) Why Red Hat for NFV? -------------------- As service providers modernize their networks, they are moving workloads and services out of the core network (in data centers) towards the network’s edge: around points of presence and central offices. From here, services can be delivered to subscribers more efficiently with lower latency and higher bandwidth. Red Hat’s NFV solution is the result of our leading contributions to the OpenStack, KVM, and DPDK projects. And it’s further strengthened by our vast ecosystem of certified partners. Our NFV solution is open source and standards-based, giving you a stable, interoperable foundation to build on. [See how Red Hat can help modernize your network](/en/solutions/telecommunications) The official Red Hat blog ------------------------- Get the latest information about our ecosystem of customers, partners, and communities. [Keep reading](/en/blog "The official Red Hat blog") All Red Hat product trials -------------------------- Our no-cost product trials help you gain hands-on experience, prepare for a certification, or assess if a product is right for your organization. [Keep reading](/en/products/trials "All Red Hat product trials") Keep reading ------------ ### How to create a virtual machine with an instance type Find out how to create a virtual machine with an instance type in Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization using the Red Hat OpenShift console graphical user interface. [Read the article](/en/topics/virtualization/how-create-virtual-machine-instance-type "How to create a virtual machine with an instance type") ### What is a virtual machine (VM)? A virtual machine (VM) is an isolated computing environment created from a pool of hardware resources. [Read the article](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-virtual-machine "article | what is a virtual machine (VM)?") ### What is virtualization? Virtualization is a technology that allows you to create virtual, simulated environments from a single, physical machine. [Read the article](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization "article | what is virtualization?") Virtualization resources ------------------------ ### Related content * Blog post [Oracle Database 19c on Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization: Performance Validation](/en/blog/Oracle-Database-Workloads-On-OpenShift-Virtualization-Reference-Architecture) * Checklist [4 ways Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization improves security focus](/en/resources/4-ways-virtualization-improves-security-checklist) * Blog post [Save, edit, and share blueprints in Lightspeed image builder](/en/blog/blueprints-with-Lightspeed-image-builder) * Blog post [Getting Started with Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization](/en/blog/getting-started-with-openshift-virtualization) ### Related articles * [Containers vs. VMs: Similarities, differences, and combined approaches](/en/topics/containers/containers-vs-vms) * [How to create a virtual machine with an instance type](/en/topics/virtualization/how-create-virtual-machine-instance-type) * [What is a virtual machine (VM)?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-virtual-machine) * [What's the difference between cloud and virtualization?](/en/topics/cloud-computing/cloud-vs-virtualization) * [What is virtualization?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization) * [Red Hat OpenShift on VMware](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/vmware) * [What is virtualization management?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-virtualization-management) * [How to migrate VMs from VMware to Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization](/en/technologies/cloud-computing/openshift/migrate-vmware-to-openshift-virtualization) * [KVM vs. VMware](/en/topics/virtualization/kvm-vs-vmware-comparison) * [What is virtual infrastructure management? And how can automation help?](/en/topics/automation/virtual-infrastructure-management) * [How to choose a virtualization platform](/en/topics/virtualization/how-to-choose-a-virtualization-platform) * [What is KVM?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-KVM) * [What is KubeVirt?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-kubevirt) * [What is live migration?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-live-migration) * [Why choose Red Hat for virtualization?](/en/topics/virtualization/why-choose-red-hat-for-virtualization) * [Why migrate virtual machines to Red Hat?](/en/topics/virtualization/why-migrate-your-virtual-machines-to-red-hat) * [What is a hypervisor?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-a-hypervisor) * [Learn everything you need to know about Open RAN](/en/topics/5g-networks/what-is-open-ran) * [VNF and CNF, what’s the difference?](/en/topics/cloud-native-apps/vnf-and-cnf-whats-the-difference) * [What is SD-WAN?](/en/topics/edge-computing/what-is-sd-wan) * [What is network virtualization?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-network-virtualization) * [What is a radio access network?](/en/topics/5g-networks/what-is-radio-access-network) * [What is hyperconverged infrastructure?](/en/topics/hyperconverged-infrastructure/what-is-hyperconverged-infrastructure) * [What is software-defined networking?](/en/topics/hyperconverged-infrastructure/what-is-software-defined-networking) * [What is container-native virtualization?](/en/topics/containers/what-is-container-native-virtualization) * [What is vRAN?](/en/topics/virtualization/what-is-vran) [More about this topic](/en/topics/virtualization "More about this topic")