T-NOVA is a large-scale EU project that aims to design and implement a management architecture for the automated provisioning of virtualized network functions over virtualized infrastructures. The project will develop an orchestrator, leverage cloud computing frameworks, and extend software defined networking to efficiently manage resources. A key innovation is a "Network Function Store" that will allow network operators to offer virtualized network functions as services to customers. The project expects to establish a European market for virtualized network appliances, reduce telecom costs, and introduce new networking services.

1. T-NOVA
NETWORK FUNCTIONS AS-A-SERVICE OVER
VIRTUALISED INFRASTRUCTURES
Dr. Tasos Kourtis
Project Manager
(kourtis@iit.demokritos.gr)
EC concertation meeting
Brussels
22-23 October 2013
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2. T-NOVA at a glance
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Large Scale Integrated Project (IP)
Grand Agreement no : 619520
Objective ICT-2013.1.1.: Future Networks
Duration: 36 Months
Starting Date: 1.11.2013
Budget: 10,027,115
EU contribution : 6,743,000
Total PM : 1,027,1
Consortium comprises 18 partners

3. T-NOVA consortium
Part.
No.
Participant Organisation Name
P.Short Name
Country
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NCSR Demokritos
NCSRD
Greece
2
ATOS Spain S.A.
ATOS
Spain
3
Telefonica I&D
TID
Spain
4
Hewlett-Packard IIC
HP
Italy
5
Portugal Telecom Inovação
PTIN
Portugal
6
Intel Performance Learning Sols. Ltd
INTEL
Ireland
7
PrimeTel PLC
PTL
Cyprus
8
Space Hellas S.A.
SPH
Greece
9
Viotech Communications SARL
VIO
France
10
CloudStreet Oy
CLDST
Finland
11
Future Intelligence Ltd
FINT
UK
12
Italtel SpA
ITALTEL
Italy
13
Tech. Ed. Institute of Crete
TEIC
Greece
14
Gottfried W. Leibniz Universität Hannover
LUH
Germany
15
University of Milan
UNIMI
Italy
16
Consorzio per la Ricerca nell’Automatica e nelle CRAT
Telecomunicazioni
Italy
17
Fraunhofer
FRAUNHOFER
Germany
18
Zurich Univ. of Applied Sciences
ZHAW
Switzerland
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4. T-NOVA VISION
Network Functions Virtualisation
(NFV) is an emerging concept,
which refers to the migration of
certain network functionalities,
performed
by
hardware
elements, to virtualized IT
infrastructures, where they are
deployed
as
software
components.
T-NOVA promotes the NFV concept and introduces a novel
enabling framework allowing operators
 not only to deploy virtualized Network Functions (NFs) for
their own needs
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but also to offer them to their customers, as value-added
services.
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5. T-NOVA aims to …
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Design and implement an integrated management
architecture, including an Orchestrator platform, for the
automated provision, management, monitoring and
optimization of Virtualised Network Functions over
Network/IT infrastructures
Leverage and enhance state-of-the art cloud computing
management frameworks for the elastic provision and (re) allocation of IT resources assigned to the hosting of
network functions
Exploit and extend Software Defined Networking
aspects, focusing on the Openflow technology, for efficient
management of network resources, including network
slicing, traffic redirection and QoS provision.

6. T-NOVA overview
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T-NOVA novel NFaaS platform offers a composite
service to the customers of SPs comprised by a:
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connectivity service
set of associated Network Functions
Introduces an innovative “Network Function Store”,
following the paradigm of already successful OSspecific “App Stores”.
Establishes a Novel Brokerage Platform, allowing
customers to transact with the T-NOVA Service
Provider and multiple third-party Function
Developers

7. High-level T-NOVA architecture
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• The Network Function Store, contains NFs by several third-party
developers
• The Brokerage Platform, for customers to transact with the T-NOVA
Service Provider and multiple third-party Function Developers

8. T-NOVA main areas of innovation
• T-NOVA Orchestrator
Implementation of a federated management of Network and Cloud
resources for NF accommodation
• SDN Control Plane
Implementation of a novel SDN Control Plane based on Openflow, for
network management, slicing and QoS provisioning, accompanied by a
Software Development Kit (SDK) for development of SDN control
applications
• T-NOVA Function Store
Establishment of a common, multi-actor Repository for NF publication
and exchange (“Function Store”)
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• Realisation of a Marketplace for NFV
Implementation of a set of open tools for the realization of an “NFV
Marketplace” within the T-NOVA architecture

9. T-NOVA expected business impact
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Establishment and promotion of a European Virtualised
Network Appliance market
 Create new niches for innovation in both services and
solutions
 Create a dynamic competition environment in an open
market
 Create 3rd party application competition which will drive
cost down and churn innovation through horizontalization.
Reduction of telcos’ OPEX / CAPEX for hardware networking
appliances and acceleration of introduction of new services
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Introduction to the market of novel, rich networking services
enhanced with on-demand in-network functions
Decrease Time to market for new Network Functions

10. Initiation of liaison among newly
funded proposals in the field
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Contact established between UNIFY, NetIDE and T-NOVA
Initial discussion on general co-operation aspects
 Sharing of project outcomes of common interest (documents and sw
deliverables)
 Organisation of multi-lateral work-shops on cross-project topics
 Sharing dissemination, demo activities and organization of public events
 Joining effort in standardization contributions
Tentative first joint workshop as side meeting of an upcoming conference;
potentially picking an event for recurring meetings in the future
 ERIC
 European Research and Innovation Conference – annually organized
by INTEL
 21 October, Nice, France
 SDN4NFS
 IEEE Software Defined Networks for Future Networks and Services
 11-13 November 2013, Trento, Italy

11. MANY THANKS
NETWORK FUNCTIONS AS-A-SERVICE OVER
VIRTUALISED INFRASTRUCTURES
Dr. Tasos Kourtis
Research Director
NCSR DEMOKRITOS
(kourtis@iit.demokritos.gr)
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