Page 230 - ITU-T Focus Group IMT-2020 Deliverables

3 ITU-T Focus Group IMT-2020 Deliverables

6.2.2 Network functions virtualization (NFV)

NFV (also known as virtual network function (VNF)) offers a new way to design, deploy and manage
networking services. NFV decouples the network functions from proprietary hardware appliances such as
network address translation (NAT), firewalling, intrusion detection, domain name service (DNS), and caching.
All network functions can run in software.
It’s designed to consolidate and deliver the networking components needed to support a fully virtualized
infrastructure – including virtual servers, storage, and even other networks. It is applicable to any data plane
processing or control plane function in both wired and wireless network infrastructure. Further study is
needed for NFV.

6.2.3 Cloud computing
Cloud computing technologies in telecommunication infrastructure brings new challenges in management
perspective. One important challenge for telecommunication operators is efficient management of cloud
computing taking into account the legacy management system framework and assuring the customer’s
satisfaction including the end-to-end quality of service.

Cloud computing is different from traditional telecommunication networks since it does not expose individual
elements to the telecommunication management system. Moreover, cloud computing does not distinguish
between management operations carried out on behalf of customer and network operator.

6.3 Clarification of Management and Orchestration for IMT-2020

It is essential to clarify management and orchestration for IMT-2020 before going further. Network
architecture view of IMT-2020 combined network management and orchestration in a single plane.
In order to clarify the difference of orchestration (OCH) and management (MNG), the following
implementation scenarios are able to be taken into account.
1) OCH and NMS will exist independently, with close collaborating relationship.

Figure 1 – Independent OCH and NMS

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