Summary
This white paper discusses the orchestration of telecom networks, focusing on the transition from traditional Physical Network Functions (PNF) to Virtual Network Functions (VNF) and Cloud Native Network Functions (CNF). It outlines the challenges faced by Communication Service Providers (CSPs) in managing complex telecom systems and the need for orchestration solutions to automate the provisioning, configuration, and management of these networks. The paper details the evolution of telecom networks towards cloud-native designs and the role of orchestration in facilitating this transformation. It also highlights the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) standards for Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) and Management and Orchestration (MANO), which provide a framework for implementing these technologies. The discussion includes the hierarchical architecture necessary for managing multi-vendor networks and the importance of orchestration in reducing operational costs and enabling rapid service deployment. Overall, the paper emphasizes the critical role of orchestration in the digital transformation of telecom networks.
