Cloud-native network function

A cloud-native network function (CNF) is a software-implementation of a function, or application, traditionally performed on a physical device, but which runs inside <a href="/facts/Linux_containers/50kMGp0n">Linux containers</a> (typically orchestrated by <a href="/facts/Kubernetes/CI61Msu0">Kubernetes</a>). The features that differ CNFs from VNFs (virtualized network functions), one of the components of <a href="/facts/Network_function_virtualization/74bwhhoJ">network function virtualization</a>, is the approach in their orchestration. 
In ETSI NFV standards, the cloud-native network functions are a particular type of virtualized network functions and are orchestrated as VNFs, i.e. using the ETSI NFV MANO architecture and technology-agnostic descriptors (e.g. TOSCA, YANG). In that case, the upper layers of the ETSI NFV MANO architecture (i.e. the NFVO and VNFM) cooperate with a container infrastructure service management (CISM) function that is typically implemented using cloud-native orchestration solutions (e.g. Kubernetes).
The characteristics of cloud-native network functions are: 

<ul><li>containerized <a href="/facts/Microservices/1zGcNFSj">microservices</a> that communicate with each-other via standardized <a href="/facts/RESTful_API/Q58zfr5h">RESTful APIs</a></li>
<li>small performance footprint, with the ability to scale <a href="/facts/Scalability/jh7JomPa">horizontally</a></li>
<li>independence of <a href="/facts/Guest_operating_system/6e2Bhhz2">guest operating system</a>, since CNFs operate as containers</li>
<li>lifecycle manageable by <a href="/facts/Kubernetes/CI61Msu0">Kubernetes</a>, using container images registries such as OCI <a href="/facts/Docker_(software)/7IvvsMug">Docker</a>, and OS container runtime.</li></ul>

Cloud-native network function open-in-new

Cloud-native network function