网络功能虚拟化技术研究综述

Network Function Virtualization Technology Research

网络功能虚拟化(network function virtualization,NFV)基于虚拟化技术和标准的商业服务器、交换机、存储器来实现网络功能,用于替代网络中原本采用专用设备的中间盒,为运营商减少了搭建和运营网络的开销,提高了网络服务的灵活性、可扩展性,促进了新兴网络功能的开发和部署.目前NFV仍然处于发展阶段,在系统性能、管理编排、可靠性、可用性、安全性、可编程性等方面仍然存在很多问题,研究人员围绕这些问题展开了大量的研究.对NFV体系结构和基础技术进行了总结,提出了需要解决的关键问题.在此基础上,对已有的NFV研究成果提出了"四象限"的分类方法,并详细分析和比较了典型的解决方案,总结了各方案的优势和开销,对未来的研究趋势进行了展望.

Network function virtualization(NFV)is a technology that realizes network functions based on virtualization technology and standard commercial servers,switches,and storage,so as to substitute traditional middleboxes that are dedicated devices.NFV is proposed to save construction and operation cost for network service providers.NFV can also improve flexibility and scalability of network services,and can motivate development and deployment of new network functions.Currently,NFV is still under developing,and problems remain in system performance,management and orchestration,reliability,availability,security,and programmability.There have been a number of studies to address these problems.In this paper,we review the NFV architecture and basic technologies,and summarize the key problems to be solved.Then,we categorize the existing studies by a“four quadrants”method.We analyze and compare a number of typical solutions,and summarize the advantages and overheads.Finally,we discuss the research trends of NFV.