Ricerc@Sapienza

Service Function Chaining (SFC) paradigm consists in steering traffic flows through an ordered set of Service Functions (SFs) so that to realize complex end to end services. SFC architecture introduces all the logical functions that need to be developed in order to provide the required service. The SFC overlay infrastructure can be built on top of many different underlay network technologies. The high flexibility and centrally controlled feature of Software Defined Networking (SDN), make SDN networks to be a perfect underlay to build the SFC architecture.

Service Function Chaining (SFC) paradigm improves network capabilities thanks to the support of application-driven-networking, which is realized through the invocation of an ordered set of Service Functions (SFs). The programmability and flexibility provided by emerging technologies such as Software-Defined Networking (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) are perfect features for efficiently managing the lifecycle of SFCs.