The need for greater business agility is reshaping the dynamics of networking.
Driving this change is the advent of Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) rising to the forefront as a key set of tools and technologies.
Why Change?
Why the move to network virtualization? Simply put, it’s about cost and flexibility. In the past, achieving a desired level of capability and performance required the use of expensive, custom hardware appliances. But virtualized networks are less expensive to own and manage, and they offer an agility that traditional networks can’t match. Now, it’s possible for network functions to be consolidated onto inexpensive x86 machines.
Telecom Service Providers Are Moving Forward With Services Rollout – AT&T Leads The Way
What does all this mean for telecom service providers and their customers? For those who work with telecom providers that have the software to quickly manipulate their network equipment, it means faster provisioning of services. No more waiting days or weeks for new service, additional features or more bandwidth.
AT&T, for example, is planning to roll out its first services based on a new virtual network by the end of the year. It’s a major paradigm shift within the networking/telecom world, and it places AT&T vastly ahead of the competition in terms of utilizing SDN/NFV and rolling out services. In fact, within the next couple of years, all major telecom providers are predicted to follow AT&T’s lead.
A Bright Future
According to a study by ReportsnReports.com, by 2020, the NFV, SDN and wireless network infrastructure market is predicted to be worth $5 billion. The reason for the growth, according to the report, is an increase in capital expenditures for global wireless combined with even greater demand for high-speed mobile broadband.
SDN/NFV Solutions Transform Network Infrastructure And Services
The benefits of using SDN/NFV for telecom services virtualization give providers:
- Greater operational flexibility in deploying upgrades and providing support for older systems and applications (overlay/underlay networks)
- Scalability in managing services that support Big-Data applications
- Increased uptime, through the enhanced control you have over the network through SDN
- Cloud-based opportunities such as multi-tenancy and a central point of management
To learn more about how to implement SDN/NFV in your business, contact Datavision.
