Preperations

Readings

Paper

The following paper introduces Middleboxes, the challenges of having dedicated hardware for network functionality and how to utilize NFV to alleviate these challenges:

Making Middleboxes someone else's problem: Network processing as a cloud service

Paper

The following paper described different techniques and technology that one may need to apply to turn general computing resources into more performant virtualized network functions (VNF).

Survey of performance acceleration techniques for network function virtualization.

Paper

The following paper shows comparitive performance benchmarks between NAPI- and DPDK-based implementations of a VNF, showcasing the potential effect of some VNF implementation optimizations.

Performance benchmarking of a software-based LTE SGW

Optional Content

Service Landscape

As there now exists a plethora of solutions for differing networking functions it may become troublesome to try to navigate and identify what services do what. The following is a landscape from the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, that lists the most notable projects within the different service categories.

Cloud-Native Service Landscape

Paper

As 5G has shifted the design of telecommunication networks to be based on cloud-native principles, NFV is a central part of 5G implementation. Sections 1, 2, and 3 of the following paper introduce how NFVs can be utilized within a telecommunications context.

Towards a Cost Optimal Design for a 5G Mobile Core Network Based on SDN and NFV