The competitive nature of today’s personal and professional environments therefore requires a high degree of agility in terms of IT infrastructure, and as a result, we’re seeing far greater traction in the uptake of Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN). The former enables CSPs to reduce the cost of a network deployment by using a combined approach of data centres and cloud infrastructure, whereas the latter is used to create a more dynamic network that can manage traffic and bandwidth better, enabling CSPs to provision new services quicker. Here, I explore the latest developments in SDN and NFV that are driving adoption in the global telecoms industry.
The emergence of SD-WAN
Many CSPs are starting to commercialise products around Software-Defined Wide Area Networks (SD-WAN), whereby physical WANs are virtualised and migrated to data centres. From here, the network is automated using a software-defined controller; so that multiple routes can be created without having to build lots of different routers or infrastructure. As the WAN is virtualised, CSPs can provision any transport protocol as needed, including 3G, 4G, LTE, MPLS, internet, ethernet or Wi-Fi. SD-WANs are also typically more secure than traditional solutions, as security is handled in one centralised system rather than multiple appliances. A number of players in the market are starting to test the waters with the technology, with Verizon recently partnering with SD-WAN firm, Viptela, to implement a software-defined architecture within its framework and cut implementation costs.
Increased virtualisation
CSPs are increasingly virtualising their network infrastructure to reduce the cost of deployment. It is recommended they start with simple components first, such as the core network, before moving on to more complex parts, such as the access work, which provides direct connection to the customer.
Managing mobile traffic through SDN
With widespread 4G coverage already available across large pockets of the UK, and 5G services set to be rolled out within the next decade, operators are starting to look at how they can use SDN to better manage mobile traffic. Some aspects of the network, such as the backhaul, are being virtualised and migrated to data centres and the cloud to enable mobile operators to introduce new services more quickly.
The development of hybrid cloud services
While fully cloud-based services are still a little way off, CSPs are moving towards Network-as-a-Service; whereby infrastructure is dynamically provisioned through the data centre. Many organisations are now at the hybrid cloud stage, whereby some aspects of the network are hosted on-premise and some components have been shifted to the cloud.
Is SDN more advanced than other solutions in the market?
Many major CSPs still use MPLS networks – infrastructure with lots of separate connections – to manage their growing mobile traffic loads. While this is effective, to be able to provision MPLS networks at the next level, field engineers would need to examine each of the individual routers within the network, which is costly and timely to do. This is why SDN is being seen as a panacea for many.
CSPs will undoubtedly come up against some challenges to migrate from physical infrastructure to SDN, such as moving from a legacy hardware-oriented MPLS network environment to one that supports greater automation, as well as dealing with changes in network and service management practices, policies procedures and the OSS/BSS architecture required to support increased virtualisation. That said, the fact that there are pockets of activity springing up by the likes of Verizon, Viptela and VeloCloud indicates that the value of SDN is really starting to resonate with the market. For the next five years, we will continue to see the evolution of SDN and NFV; and it will be interesting to see how the major players battle it out to deliver new services in a bid to increase their market share in this exciting new industry.
