T-NOVA: Network Functions as-a-Service over Virtualised Infrastructures

Started At:

2014-01-01

Title:

T-NOVA: Network Functions as-a-Service over Virtualised Infrastructures

Program:

EU 7th Framework Programme – ICT – Large-Scale Integrating Project

Duration:

36 months

Summary:

Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) is an emerging concept, which refers to the migration of certain network functionalities, traditionally performed by hardware elements, to virtualized IT infrastructures, where they are deployed as software components. With the aim of promoting the NFV concept, T-NOVA introduces a novel enabling framework, allowing operators not only to deploy virtualized Network Functions (NFs) for their own needs, but also to offer them to their customers, as value-added services. Virtual network appliances (gateways, proxies, firewalls, transcoders, analyzers etc.) can be provided on-demand as-a-Service, eliminating the need to acquire, install and maintain specialized hardware at customers’ premises. For these purposes, T-NOVA designs and implements a management/orchestration platform for the automated provision, configuration, monitoring and optimization of Network Functions-as-a-Service (NFaaS) over virtualised Network/IT infrastructures. T-NOVA leverages and enhances cloud management architectures for the elastic provision and (re-) allocation of IT resources assigned to the hosting of Network Functions. It also exploits and extends Software Defined Networking platforms for efficient management of the network infrastructure.

In the frame of the project, Space Hellas designs and develops an integrated system for monitoring virtual network appliances deployed in cloud computing infrastructures. Aiming at the high availability of the virtual appliances, the system monitors their operation and performance, detects possible malfunctions and reacts in real time for their recovery.

Consortium:

• Natl. Centre for Scientific Research "Demokritos" (Greece) - Coordinator
• ATOS Spain S.A. (Spain)
• Telefonica I&D (Spain)
• Hewlett-Packard IIC (Italy)
• Portugal Telecom Inovação (Portugal)
• Intel Performance Learning Sols. Ltd (Ireland)
• PrimeTel PLC (Cyprus)
• Space Hellas S.A. (Greece)
• Viotech Communications SARL (France)
• CloudStreet Oy (Finland)
• Future Intelligence Ltd (UK)
• Italtel SpA (Italy)
• Tech. Ed. Institute of Crete (Greece)
• Gottfried W. Leibniz Universität Hannover (Germany)
• University of Milan (Italy)
• University of Rome 1 (Italy)
• Fraunhofer FOKUS (Germany)>
• Zurich Univ. of Applied Sciences (Switzerland)