Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (ENCOR) v1.2VirtualizationMedium
A data center operator is leveraging network function virtualization (NFV) to deploy various network services as virtual machines (VMs) on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) servers. The operator needs to ensure that these virtual network functions (VNFs), such as firewalls and load balancers, can dynamically scale up or down based on demand. Which characteristic of NFV enables this elasticity?
- AStatic resource allocation
- BProprietary appliances
- CResource pooling and orchestration
- DHardware dependency
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Resource pooling and orchestration
Resource pooling and orchestration are fundamental characteristics of NFV that enable elasticity. NFV leverages virtualization to abstract network functions from dedicated hardware, allowing them to run as software on COTS servers. Orchestration tools then manage the dynamic allocation and deallocation of computing, storage, and network resources to these VNFs, enabling them to scale up or down automatically based on demand.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Static resource allocation would prevent dynamic scaling, which is a key benefit of NFV.
- B. NFV moves away from proprietary appliances towards software-based solutions.
- D. Hardware dependency is the opposite of NFV's goal of decoupling functions from hardware.
NFV Elasticity
The ability of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to dynamically scale network functions (VNFs) up or down based on changing network demands.
- Achieved through resource pooling and automated orchestration.
- Decouples network functions from proprietary hardware.
- Enables efficient resource utilization and cost savings.
Memory trick: NFV: Network Functions Virtualized for Flexibility.