Introduction: The Need for Network Innovation
Traditional operation methods centered around physical network equipment lead to increased complexity and inefficient management. Software Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) are emerging as core technologies to address these issues, enabling more agile and flexible network management. SDN/NFV are expected to efficiently utilize network resources in cloud environments and support the rapid launch of new services, contributing to the acceleration of digital transformation.
Core Concepts and Principles
SDN is an architecture that separates the network control function from physical equipment for centralized management. This allows for programmatic control of network traffic and dynamic modification of network policies. NFV is a technology that virtualizes network functions to run on general-purpose servers. Network functions such as firewalls, load balancers, and routers are implemented in software form, reducing hardware dependency and increasing flexibility.
SDN (Software Defined Networking)
SDN separates the control plane and data plane of a network, managing and controlling the entire network through a centralized controller. This enables network administrators to programmatically control network traffic flow and apply network policies in real-time.
NFV (Network Functions Virtualization)
NFV is a technology that implements network functions in software form on general-purpose servers, rather than dedicated hardware equipment. This allows network operators to quickly build and expand new network services and reduce hardware costs.
Latest Trends and Changes
The SDN and NFV market continues to grow, with increasing adoption of SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Networking) and interest in cloud-native network functions. It is projected to grow from $44.6 billion in 2025 to $127.1 billion in 2031. The TTA Standardization Committee is in the process of revising the Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) standard, and the open standard for the control plane for Software Defined Networks (SDN) has been abolished. In addition, the Personal Information Security Measures Standard, a sub-administrative regulation of the Personal Information Protection Act, has been revised and promulgated (October 31, 2025). The IEEE NFV-SDN event features active discussions on cloud-native network functions and observability.
Practical Application Plans
Within the 5G network architecture, NFV and SDN are applied across the entire range from the Radio Access Network (RAN) to the Core Network. SDN reduces the complexity of network management and facilitates the integration of new technologies such as virtualization, cloud computing, and containerization. The national research network is transforming into an SDN network. Companies are adopting SD-WAN solutions to optimize branch and cloud connectivity and reduce network costs.
Expert Advice
💡 Technical Insight
Precautions When Introducing Technology: When introducing SDN/NFV, sufficient consideration must be given to compatibility with the existing network environment. In addition, network security must be strengthened, and countermeasures must be prepared in the event of a failure of the centralized controller.
Outlook for the Next 3-5 Years: SDN/NFV is expected to evolve further into a cloud-native environment. Container-based network functions and automated network management systems will become more important, and intelligent network management solutions using AI/ML technologies are expected to emerge.
Conclusion
SDN and NFV are core technologies that support more flexible and efficient network management. The importance of SDN/NFV is expected to increase further with the spread of cloud environments and the development of 5G networks. Companies should actively adopt SDN/NFV technologies to innovate their network infrastructure and accelerate digital transformation. In the future, SDN/NFV is expected to contribute to building a more intelligent and efficient network environment by converging with AI and automation technologies.