What is a cloud-native network function (CNF)?
A cloud-native network function (CNF) is a service that performs network duties in software, as opposed to purpose-built hardware. Due to the vast and low-cost central processing unit and memory resources available on today's server platforms, it's possible to operate network functions via software.
This type of computing power was previously only available on hardware with application-specific integrated circuits. CNFs are fully software-based and use virtual interfaces instead of physical ones. CNFs in operation today include the following:
- Routers.
- Firewalls.
- Virtual switches.
- VPN gateways.
CNF vs. VNF
CNFs aren't the only method of moving network services away from hardware appliances and into software. Virtual network functions (VNFs) are another method to offer this service.
With a VNF, the same software used on a hardware-based network appliance migrates to a virtual machine (VM). The difference between CNFs and VNFs is that VNFs use software to handle processing and port usage instead of hardware. VNFs differ dramatically from CNFs that choose specific network services and run them within a containerized environment, such as Kubernetes, instead of a VM.
CNFs only need processing and memory allocation for specific services. They can then distribute services across a network depending on where they're needed. When compared with VNFs, CNFs offer more efficiency, scalability and performance benefits.
CNF benefits
Large organizations with multiple geographic locations that require substantial network infrastructures can make the most of CNFs. Some benefits of CNFs include the following:
- No specialized hardware required. CNFs use commodity hardware rather than specialized hardware.
- Scalability and performance. CNFs improve scalability and performance in large, distributed networks.
- Microservices-based architecture. CNFs use a microservices architecture that enables easier API integrations with other platforms for data collection and analysis.
- Lower costs. Because CNFs don't need to run on physical hardware, organizations can save on expenses related to devices such as maintenance.
- Smaller data center footprint. Because organizations don't use physical hardware, CNFs help organizations lower costs associated with energy consumption and cooling.
CNF use cases
The primary benefits of CNFs best suit large, dispersed organizations. Types of organizations that use CNF services include the following:
- Public telecommunications carriers.
- Internet service providers.
- Cloud service providers.
These businesses replace aging physical or virtualized network appliances with containerized CNFs, which require a fraction of the compute, memory and physical footprints.
One of the most common CNF benefits is the ability to deploy network services in public clouds that prohibit physical appliances. Enterprises can also use CNFs to avoid deploying multiple virtual server network appliances in these cloud environments, which increases Opex over time. Flexibility and cost savings are the primary drivers for CNF adoption for businesses that can take advantage of the services.
