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diff --git a/docs/requirements/introduction.rst b/docs/requirements/introduction.rst index b1672e5..378578e 100644 --- a/docs/requirements/introduction.rst +++ b/docs/requirements/introduction.rst @@ -4,4 +4,74 @@ Introduction ============ -TBD +This document represents and describes the results of the OPNFV NetReady +(Network Readiness) project. Specifically, the document comprises a selection of +NFV-related networking use cases and their networking requirements, a +corresponding gap analysis of the aforementioned requirements with respect to +the current OpenStack networking architecture and a description of potential +solutions and improvements. + + +Scope +----- + +NetReady is a project within the OPNFV initiative. Its focus is on NFV (Network +Function Virtualization) related networking use cases and their requirements on +the underlying NFVI (Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure). + +The NetReady project addresses the OpenStack networking architecture, +specifically OpenStack Neutron, from a NFV perspective. Its goal is to identify +gaps in the current OpenStack networking architecture with respect to NFV +requirements and to propose and evaluate improvements and potential complementary +solutions. + + +Problem Description +------------------- + +Traditionally, OpenStack networking, represented typically by the OpenStack +Neutron project, targets virtualized data center networking. This comprises +primarily establishing and managing layer 2 network connectivity among VMs +(Virtual Machines). Over the past releases of OpenStack, Neutron has accumulated +an extensive feature set, covering L2 and L3 networking features such as <list +of examples>. + +It is often stated that NFV imposes additional requirements on the networking +architecture and feature set of the underlying NFVI beyond those of data center +networking. For instance, the NFVI needs to establish and manage connectivity +beyond the data center to the WAN (Wide Area Network). Moreover, NFV networking +use cases often abstract from L2 connectivity and for example focus on L3-only +connectivity. Hence, the NFVI networking architecture needs to be flexible +enough to be able to meet the requirements of NFV-related use cases in addition +to traditional data center networking. + +It is an ongoing debate how well the current OpenStack networking architecure +can meet the additional requirements of NFV networking. Hence, a thorough +analysis of NFV networking requirements and their relation to the OpenStack +networking architecture is needed. + + +Goals +----- + +The goals of the NetReady project and correspondingly this document are the +following: + +- This document comprises a collection of relevant NFV networking use cases and + clearly describes their requirements on the NFVI. These requirements are + stated independently of a particular implementation, for instance OpenStack + Neutron. Instead, requirements are formulated in terms of APIs (Application + Programming Interfaces) and data models needed to realize a given NFV use + case. + +- The list of use cases is not considered to be all-emcompassing but it + represents a carefully selected set of use cases that are considered to be + relevant at the time of writing. More use cases may be added over time. + +- This document contains a thorough analysis of the gaps in the current + OpenStack networking architecture with respect to the requirements imposed + by the selected NFV use cases. + +- This document describes the proposed improvements and complementary solutions + needed to enable OpenStack to fulfill the identified NFV requirements. + |