# Cloud-native network function

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Type of computing virtualisation

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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 [Linux containers](/source/Linux_containers) (typically orchestrated by [Kubernetes](/source/Kubernetes)).[1] The features that differ CNFs from VNFs (**virtualized network functions**), one of the components of [network function virtualization](/source/Network_function_virtualization), is the approach in their orchestration.

In ETSI NFV standards, the cloud-native network functions are a particular type of virtualized network functions[2] 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[3] that is typically implemented using cloud-native orchestration solutions (e.g. Kubernetes).

The characteristics of cloud-native network functions are:[4][5]

- **containerized [microservices](/source/Microservices)** that communicate with each-other via standardized [RESTful APIs](/source/RESTful_API)

- **small performance footprint**, with the ability to scale [horizontally](/source/Scalability#HORIZONTAL-SCALING)

- independence of [guest operating system](/source/Guest_operating_system), since CNFs operate as containers

- lifecycle manageable by [Kubernetes](/source/Kubernetes), using container images registries such as OCI [Docker](/source/Docker_(software)), and OS container runtime.

## Relation to network function virtualization

These characteristics address many of the common issues found with the first generation of [VNFs](/source/Network_function_virtualization), by incorporating many of the innovations deployed commonly in the internet infrastructure. These include auto-scaling, supporting a [continuous delivery](/source/Continuous_delivery)/[DevOps](/source/DevOps) deployment model, and efficiency gains by sharing common services across platforms. Through [service discovery](/source/Service_discovery) and orchestration, a system based on CNFs will be more resilient to node failure.[4] A specification of criteria to classify and characterize cloud-native VNF implementations can be found in ETSI GS NFV-EVE 011.[6]

## Cloud Native Computing Foundation

The [Linux Foundation](/source/Linux_Foundation) backed [Cloud Native Computing Foundation](/source/Cloud_Native_Computing_Foundation) project is actively supporting companies in contributing to open-source projects like [Kubernetes](/source/Kubernetes) or [Prometheus](/source/Prometheus_(software)), upon which Cloud Native Network Functions can be based on.[7] The CNCF project also created a CNF Testbed, in order to facilitate a common test-ground for various cloud-native network functions.[8]

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [*cloud-native-principles/cloud-native-principles*](https://github.com/cloud-native-principles/cloud-native-principles), cloud-native-principles, 2020-07-21, retrieved 2020-07-22

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["NFV FAQ"](https://nfvwiki.etsi.org/index.php?title=NFV_FAQ). *nfvwiki.etsi.org*. Retrieved 2022-04-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["ETSI GS NFV-IFA 040"](https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_gs/NFV-IFA/001_099/040/04.03.01_60/gs_nfv-ifa040v040301p.pdf) (PDF). *www.etsi.org*. Retrieved 2022-07-20.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AutoR9-4_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AutoR9-4_4-1) ["Cloud-Native Network Functions"](https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/service-provider/industry/cable/cloud-native-network-functions.html). *Cisco*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*cncf/cnf-testbed*](https://github.com/cncf/cnf-testbed), Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), 2020-07-20, retrieved 2020-07-22

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["ETSI GS NFV-EVE 011"](https://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_gs/NFV-EVE/001_099/011/03.01.01_60/gs_nfv-eve011v030101p.pdf) (PDF). *www.etsi.org*. Retrieved 2022-04-27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["FAQ"](https://www.cncf.io/about/faq/). *Cloud Native Computing Foundation*. Retrieved 2020-07-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** cncf (2019-02-25). ["CNCF Launches Cloud Native Network Functions (CNF) Testbed"](https://www.cncf.io/announcement/2019/02/25/cncf-launches-cloud-native-network-functions-cnf-testbed/). *Cloud Native Computing Foundation*. Retrieved 2020-07-22.

11. Cloud Native Computing Foundation, ([http://www.cncf.io](http://www.cncf.io))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cloud-native network function](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud-native_network_function) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud-native_network_function?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.