AN APPLICATION OF MODULAR NETWORK FUNCTION VIRTUALIZATION AND ITS IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

Network function virtualization (NFV) is the concept of implementing network services in software using commodity hardware. Services include forwarding, learning, and firewalling, among others. Modular NFV (MNFV) was introduced as a methodology for designing virtualized network functions (VNFs), precisely and ultimately compiling them to an open platform. This thesis applies the methodology to rigorously design a 2-port relay switch from reusable behaviors with features found in commercial switches. A potential implementation of the 2-port relay using Intel’s open platform called the Data Plane Development Kit (DPDK) is investigated.