SDN vs NFV: Key Differences Explained

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This page compares SDN vs NFV and mentions the difference between SDN and NFV. SDN is the short form of Software Defined Networking and NFV is the short form of Network Functions Virtualization.

SDN - Software Defined Networking

SDN-Software Defined Networking SDN-Software Defined Networking

  • The role of SDN is to separate control and data plane in order to accomplish elasticity, on-demand, programmability, and scalability.
  • SDN is the ideal underlying network for NFV.

NFV - Network Functions Virtualization

NFV-Network Functions Virtualization NFV-Network Functions Virtualization

The role of NFV is to relocate network functions from dedicated appliances to generic servers. NFV allows network operators to implement network policy without worrying about where to place the functions in the network and how to route traffic through these functions.

NFV moves all the functions as listed below in a common x86 architecture using virtualization.

  • Router
  • Firewall
  • Web server
  • Load Balancer
  • Switch
  • Media Server

NFV helps in achieving the following benefits for the operators:

  • Standard hardware
  • Less complex
  • Very flexible
  • Reduced power
  • Lower CapEx
  • Lower OpEx
  • Test new applications
  • Low risk
  • Reduced TTM (Time To Market)
  • Open market to software suppliers

The following table mentions potential functions that could be virtualized.

Network element to be virtualizedIts Function
Switching elementsBroadband network gateways, carrier grade NAT (network address translation), routers
Mobile network nodesHLR/HSS, Gateway, GPRS support node, radio network controller, various node B functions
Customer Premise EquipmentHome routers, set-top boxes
Tunneling Gateway elementsIPsec/SSL virtual private network gateways
Traffic analysisDeep packet inspection (DPI), quality of experience measurement assurance service assurance, service level agreement (SLA) monitoring, testing and diagnostics
signalingsession border controllers, IP multimedia subsystem components
control plane/access functionsAAA servers, policy control and charging platforms
application optimizationcontent delivery networks, cache servers, load balancers, accelerators
securityfirewalls, virus scanners, intrusion detection systems, spam protection

Both SDN and NFV are highly complementary, but there are a few differences between them as listed below.

Tabular difference between SDN and NFV

The following table describes the difference between SDN and NFV.

FeaturesSDNNFV
Focus or major roleSDN focuses on data center.NFV focuses on service providers or operators.
StrategyIt splits the control and data forwarding planes.It replaces hardware network devices with software.
protocolUses OpenFlowNot finalized yet, does support OpenFlow
Where the applications will run?Applications run on industry standard servers or switchesApplications run on industry standard servers
Prime intiative supportersVendors of enterprise networking software and hardware.Telecom service providers or operators.
Business initiatorCorporate ITService provider
Customer benefit or end user benefitDrives down complexity and cost and increases agility.Drives down complexity and cost and increases agility.
Initial applicationsCloud orchestration and networkingrouters, firewalls, gateways, CDN, WAN accelerators, SLA assurance
Formalization bodyOpen Networking Foundation (ONF)ETSI NFV Working Group

Conclusion: SDN vs NFV

Let us conclude the difference between SDN and NFV.

  • SDN is considered to be a re-definition of network architecture.
  • It has come from the IT world.
  • It separates the control and data layers while centralizing the control.
  • Deliver the ability to program network behavior using well-defined interfaces.
  • NFV is considered to be a re-definition of network equipment architecture.
  • NFV has been developed to meet the needs of service providers as listed below.
  • Lower CAPEX by reducing or eliminating proprietary hardware.
  • By consolidating multiple network functions into industry-standard platforms.
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