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Terminology and Glossary

During our discussions with NRENs and at workshops it became clear that there are OAV terms that are being used in different ways and in some cases with slightly different meaning and understanding. So in order to have a common basis we decided to identify a list of relevant OAV terms and add a short definition with a reference link (source) for each term as well as an acronym table with definitions of abbreviations. We tried to use standard-based definitions whenever we could find them and listed internal definitions in cases where no standard definitions were found.

Internal definitions are based on the consensus of all team members; to come to an agreed definition of all team members a terminology document was created with descriptions of the terms and an internal survey was conducted for final adjustments. Additional comments are welcome!


OAV Common Terms     

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Glossary


OAV TermsDefinition and reference

Architecture component

An architecture component is a nontrivial, nearly independent, and replaceable part of a system that fulfills a clear function in the context of a well-defined architecture.

  • TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019

Architecture principles

Architecture principles define the underlying general rules and guidelines for the use and deployment of all IT resources and assets across the organisation. They reflect a level of consensus among the various elements of the enterprise, and form the basis for making future IT decisions.

API (Application Programming Interface)

An API is a set of commands, functions, protocols, and objects that programmers can use to create software or interact with an external system. Any data can be shared with an application program interface.

Automated service provisioning


Automated service provisioning is the ability to deploy an information technology or telecommunications service by using pre-defined procedures that are carried out electronically without requiring human intervention.

Automation

Processing tasks in a repeatable manner to yield the same result every time without human intervention.

  • internal definition

Blockchain

A blockchain is an expanding list of cryptographically signed, irrevocable transactional records shared by all participants in a network.

  • reduced; from TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019

Cgroups (control groups)

Cgroups are linux kernel mechanisms to restrict and measure resource allocations to each process group. Using cgroups, you can allocate resources such as CPU time, network, and memory.

Cloud native application

Cloud Native Application (CNA) refers to a type of computer software that natively utilises services and infrastructure provided by cloud computing providers.

  • reduced; from TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019

Component

A component is a functionally independent part of any system. It performs some function and may require some input or produce some output.

Composite service

A composite service is an assembly of one or more elements into an end to end service. It may be recursive so a composite service may become a component of yet another service.

  • based on TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019 and TR274 DSRA Guide R17.5 Reference R02

Control plane

The control plane is responsible for processing a number of different control protocols that may affect the forwarding table, depending on the configuration and type of network device. These control protocols are jointly responsible for managing the active topology of the network.

  • Software Defined Networks, A Comprehensive Approach, Paul Göransson, Chuck Black Morgan Kaufmann, 2014

Cross-domain data services


Data services that are delivered across multiple administrative, information or technological domains that allow data sharing among authorized consumers in different domains.

Data center interconnect (DCI)

Data center interconnect (DCI) is a segment of the networking market that focuses on the technology used to link two or more data centers so the facilities can share resources.

Data plane

The data plane (sometimes known as the user plane, forwarding plane, carrier plane or bearer plane) is the part of a network that carries user traffic from one interface to another.

Decoupling

Building approach (in electronics, software, etc.) where the constituent components of a system can be produced, sourced and interchanged independently of the other.

  • based on TOGAF 9.2 Reference R16

Domain

A collection of network infrastructure under the administrative control of the same organisation.

Federated orchestration

Service orchestration performed by multiple autonomous management domains, to effectively allow services to span across several providers.

Functional block

Self contained unit in an overall system that performs a specific function or task.

  • based on TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019 and ETSI Network Functions Virtualization (NFV); Infrastructure; Methodology to describe Interfaces and Abstractions Reference R08

Hierarchical orchestration

Orchestration decomposed into one or more hierarchical interactions where parts of the service are delegated to a subordinate orchestrator.

Intent-based policy / network

Technology incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to automate administrative tasks across a network.

  • based on TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019

Management

The processes aiming at fulfilment, assurance, and billing of services, network functions, and resources in both physical and virtual infrastructure including compute, storage, and network resources.

Management API

A Management API allows a service requestor to perform all management operations before, during and after the use of a service.

  • based on TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019

Management domain

A collection of physical or functional elements under the control of an entity, aiming at fulfilment, assurance, and billing of services, network functions, and resources in both physical and virtual infrastructure.

Microservices

Microservices is an approach to software architecture that builds a large, complex application from multiple small components that each perform a single function, such as authentication, notification, or payment processing. Each microservice is a distinct unit within the software development project, with its own code base, infrastructure, and database. The microservices work together, communicating through web APIs or messaging queues to respond to incoming events.

Network automation

Network automation is the process of automating the configuration, management, testing, deployment, and operations of physical and virtual devices within a network.

Network controller

Functional block that centralizes some or all of the control and management functionality of a network domain and may provide an abstract view of its domain to other functional blocks via well-defined interfaces.

Network function

Network Function (NF) – a functional building block within a network infrastructure, which has well-defined external interfaces and a well-defined functional behaviour.

Network function disaggregation (NFD)

Defines the evolution of switching and routing appliances from proprietary, closed hardware and software sourced from a single vendor, towards totally decoupled, open components which are combined to form a complete switching and routing device.

Network namespaces

Network namespaces is a virtualization mechanism (a virtualised networking stack) which provides abstraction and virtualisation of network protocol services and interfaces. Each network namespace has its own network device instances that can be configured with individual network addresses.

Network orchestration

Network orchestration is the execution of the operational and functional processes involved in designing, creating, and delivering an end-to-end service. For example, it uses network automation to provide services through the use of applications that drive the network. An orchestrator functions to arrange and organise the various components involved in delivering a network service.

Network resource

Physical or logical network component of hardware, software or data in the data, control or management planes within an organization's infrastructure.

  • internal definition

Network service

A collection of network functions with a well specified behavior (i.e. content delivery networks (CDNs) and IP multimedia subsystem (IMS)).

Network slicing

Network slicing is a specific form of virtualisation that allows multiple logical networks to run on top of a shared physical network infrastructure. (..) The intent of network slicing is to be able to partition the physical network at an end-to-end level to allow optimum grouping of traffic, isolation from other tenants, and configuring of resources at a macro level.

Network slice instance

A Network slice instance is a set of Network Function instances and the required resources (e.g. compute, storage and networking resources) which form a deployed Network Slice.

  • based on TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019 and 3GPP TS 23.501.

NFV

Network Function Virtualisation (NFV) is a network architecture concept that uses virtualization to classify entire classes of network node functions into building blocks that may connect, or chain together, to create communication services. More specifically, it is the deployment of software implementations of traditional network functions (e.g. load balancers, firewalls, office switches/routers) on virtualized infrastructure rather than on function-specific specialized hardware devices.

NFV-MANO

(Network Functions Virtualisation Management and Orchestration)

Management and orchestration (MANO) is a key element of the ETSI network functions virtualization (NFV) architecture. MANO is an architectural framework that coordinates network resources for cloud-based applications and the lifecycle management of virtual network functions (VNFs) and network services. As such, it is crucial for ensuring rapid, reliable NFV deployments at scale. MANO includes the following components: the NFV orchestrator (NFVO), the VNF manager (VNFM), and the virtual infrastructure manager (VIM).

NFV-MANO Architectural Framework

(Network Functions Virtualisation Management and Orchestration Architectural Framework)

Collection of all functional blocks (including those in NFV-MANO category as well as others that interwork with NFV-MANO), data repositories used by these functional blocks, and reference points and interfaces through which these functional blocks exchange information for the purpose of managing and orchestrating NFV.

NFVO

(Network Functions Virtualisation Orchestrator)

Functional block that manages the Network Service (NS) lifecycle and coordinates the management of NS lifecycle, VNF lifecycle (supported by the VNFM) and NFVI resources (supported by the VIM) to ensure an optimized allocation of the necessary resources and connectivity.

OpenFlow protocol

OpenFlow protocol is a protocol defined by the OpenFlow Switch Specification that allows separation of the network control plane by providing access to the forwarding plane.

OpenFlow (standard)

OpenFlow is an open standard that enables you to control traffic and run experimental protocols in an existing network by using a remote controller. The OpenFlow components consist of a controller, an OpenFlow or OpenFlow-enabled switch, and the OpenFlow protocol.

OpenStack

Open source software for creating private and public clouds. OpenStack software controls large pools of compute, storage, and networking resources throughout a data center, managed through a dashboard or via the OpenStack API.

Open virtual network (OVN)

Open Virtual Network (OVN) is an Open vSwitch-based software-defined networking (SDN) solution for supplying network services to instances.

Open vSwitch (OVS)

Open source multilayer virtual switch that supports standard interfaces and protocols.

Operational domain

Scope of management delineated by an administrative and technological boundary.

  • based on TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019 

Orchestration (ONAP)

The arrangement, sequencing and automated implementation of tasks, rules and policies to coordinate logical and physical resources in order to meet a customer or on-demand request to create, modify or remove network or service resources.

  • from: TM Forum Technical Specification, Terminology for Zero-touch Orchestration, Operations and Management, TMF071, Release 17.0.1, November 2017, version 0.4.1, IPR Mode RAND 
  • (synonyms for the system performing the function: manager, coordinator)

Resource slice

A grouping of physical or virtual (network, compute, storage) resources. A resource slice could be one of the components of Network Slice, however on its own does not represent fully a Network Slice.

SDN


A programmable network approach that supports the separation of control and forwarding planes via standardized interfaces. 

Self-configuration

A process by which computer systems or networks automatically adapt their own configuration of components without human direct intervention.

Service access point

A Service Access Point is a kind of Resource Function (RF) that handles access into and out of another RF, such as an application RF or virtualized appliance RF.

  • TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019

Service chaining (NFV)

Network service chaining, also known as service function chaining (SFC) is a capability that uses software-defined networking (SDN) capabilities to create a service chain of connected network services (such as L4-7 like firewalls, network address translation [NAT], intrusion protection) and connects them in a virtual chain.  This capability can be used by network operators to set up suites or catalogs of connected services that enable the use of a single network connection for many services, with different characteristics.

Software defined exchanges

Software Defined IXP (SDX) is an internet exchange that utilizes SDN to do interdomain routing. In addition, SDX design incorporates high levels of programmability, open APIs, shared resources across multiple domains, dynamic provisioning, resource discovery, quick resource integration and configuration, and granulated control of resources.

  • internal definition based on https://sdx.cs.princeton.edu/ and J. Mambretti, J. Chen, F. Yeh, Software-Defined Network Exchanges (SDXs): Architecture, services, capabilities, and foundation technologies, 2014 26th International Teletraffic Congress (ITC), DOI: 10.1109/ITC.2014.6932970.

Switch abstraction interface (SAI)

Definition of the API to provide a vendor-independent way of controlling forwarding elements, such as a switching ASIC, an NPU or a software switch in a uniform manner.

User interface orchestration

User Interface Orchestration defines, formats and structures the sequence of user interfaces (UIs) needed for a process. For example, the orchestration of UI during a service request from customers.

  • based on TM Forum Reference, TMF071 ODA Terminology, TMF071, Release 19.0.1, October 2019 and IG1167 R18.0 "ODA Functional Architecture" Reference R21

Virtual content delivery network

A content delivery network using virtualisation technology that enables the allocation of virtual storage, virtual machines, and network resources according to providers' requirements in a dynamic and scalable manner.

Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network (VXLAN)

Virtual eXtensible Local Area Network (VXLAN) enables the encapsulation of Ethernet frames inside UDP packets with a designated UDP destination port (4789). VXLAN allows users to overlay L2 networks on top of existing L3 networks. In the data center, it is commonly used to stretch an L2 network across multiple racks.

Virtual routing and forwarding (VRF)

Virtual Routing and Forwarding is a layer 3 abstraction, which provides a separate routing table for each instance, usually this is done by adding some sort of VRFID to the routing table lookup.

Virtualisation

Abstraction of network or service objects to make them appear generic, i.e. disassociated from the underlying hardware implementation specifics.

  • internal definition

Virtualised network function (VNF) - virtual network function

Virtual Network Function (VNF) is a network task written as software that can be provided in a virtualised manner (i.e. firewall, router, switch).

Workflow

The sequence of steps through which a piece of work passes from initiation to completion.

Workflow management

Workflow management (WFM) is a technology supporting the re-engineering of business and information processes. It involves: Defining workflows, (...) and providing for fast (re)design and (re)implementation of the processes as business needs and information systems change.

GLOSSARY

Abbreviation/ Acronym

Description/Definition

ABEAggregate Business Entity
AIArtificial Intelligence
AMCAutonomic Management and Control
AWSAmazon Web Services
BPMNBusiness Process Model and Notation

BSS

Business Support System

CBP

Ciena Blue Planet

CDEComponent DEscription
CDNContent Delivery Network
CNACloud Native Application

CNI

Container Network Interface

CSP

Communications Service Provider

D&IDecoupling & Integration

DC

Data Centre

DCN

Data Communication Network

DEDecision Element
DPRADigital Platform Reference Architecture
DTNData Transfer Node
EACMEnterprise Architecture Content Metamodel
EGMEngagement Management

ETSI

European Telecommunications Standards Institute

EVPN

Ethernet VPN

FOSSFree and Open Source Software

FRR

Free Range Routing

GANAGeneric Autonomic Networking Architecture

Geneve

Generic Network Virtualisation Encapsulation

GRE

Generic Routing Encapsulation

GSGroup Specification

GVM

Generalised Virtualisation Model

IaaSInfrastructure as a Service

IaC

Infrastructure as Code

IDEIntegrated Development Environment
IDSPIntegrated Digital Service Provider

IEEE

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 

IETF

Internet Engineering Task Force

IMIntelligence Management

ITU

International Telecommunication Union

K8s

Kubernetes

LSOLifecycle Service Orchestration
M2MMachine-to-Machine

MANO

Management and Orchestration

MCCManagement-Control Continuum

MDSO

Multi-Domain Service Orchestration

MDVPNMulti-Domain Virtual Private Networks
MEManaged Entity

MEF

Metro Ethernet Forum

NaaS

Network as a Service

NaC

Network as Code

NAO

Network Automation and Orchestration

NCO

Network Controls and Orchestration

NENetwork Element

NEP

Network Equipment Providers

NETCONF

Network Configuration Protocol

NFNetwork Function
NFDNetwork Function Disaggregation

NFV

Network Function Virtualisation

NFVI

Network Function Virtualisation Infrastructure

NFV-O

Network Function Virtualisation Orchestrator

NGN

Next Generation Network

NREN

National Research and Education Network

NRO

Network Resource Optimisation

NSNetwork Service

NSA

Network Service Agent

NSI

Network Service Interface

NSSAINetwork Slice Selection Assistance Information
NVGRE

Network Virtualisation over GRE (Generic Routing Encapsulation)

OAMPOperations, Administration, Maintenance and Provisioning
OASISOrganisation for the Advancement of Structured Information Standards

OAV

Orchestration, Automation and Virtualisation

OCPOpen Compute Project
ODAOpen Digital Architecture

ODL

OpenDaylight

ODMOperational Domain Management/Manager
OESSOpen Exchange Software Suite

OGF

Open Grid Forum

ONAP

Open Networking Automation Platform

ONOS

Open Network Operating System

OPNFV

Open Platform for NFV Project

OSM

Open Source MANO

OSS

Operations Support System

OVN

Open Virtual Network

OVSOpen vSwitch

PaaS

Platform as a Service

R&D

Research and Development

R&E

Research & Education

RESTRepresentational State Transfer
RFResource Function
SaaSSoftware as a Service

SAI

Switch Abstraction Interface

SDDC

Software-Defined Data Center

SDN

Software Defined Network

SDOStandards Developing Organization

SD-WAN

Software-Defined networking in a Wide Area Network (WAN)

SDX

Software-Defined Exchange

SFC

Service Function Chaining (also known as Network Service Chaining)

S-NSSAISingle Network Slice Selection Assistance Information
SOAService Oriented Architecture

SPA

Service Provider Architecture

STF

Service and Technology Forum

STPService Termination Point

STT

Stateless Transport Tunneling

TMF

TM Forum

TOGAFThe Open Group Architecture Framework
TOSCATopology and Orchestration Specification for Cloud Applications

VCDN

Virtual Content Delivery Network

VIM

Virtual Infrastructure Management

VM

Virtual Machine

VNF

Virtual Network Function

VNFMVirtualised Network Function Manager
VNOVirtual Network Operator

VPN

Virtual Private Network 

VPP

Vector Packet Processing 

VRF

Virtual Routing Function

VSI

Virtual Switch Instance

VTEP

Virtual Tunnel End Point

VXLAN

Virtual Extensible LAN

WFMWorkflow Management

XaaS

Anything as a Service

XDP

eXpress Data Path

ZOOMZero-touch Orchestration, Operations and Management
ZSMZero-touch network and Service Management

ZTP

Zero Touch Provisioning




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