Network functions virtualization (NFV) provides a new way to design, deploy and manage networking services. NFV decouples the network functions, such as network address translation (NAT), firewalling, intrusion detection, domain name service (DNS), and other network services from proprietary hardware appliances so they can run in software.
NFV is designed to consolidate and deliver the networking components needed to support a fully virtualized infrastructure including virtual servers, storage, and even other networks. It utilizes standard IT virtualization technologies that run on high-volume service, switch and storage hardware to virtualize network functions.
