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See: 8373 on datatracker.ietf.org

The title of this RFC is “RFC 8373: Extension for Service Function Chain (SFC) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV).”

RFC 8373 introduces an extension to the Path Computation Element Communication Protocol (PCEP) that enables dynamic instantiation of Service Function Chains (SFC) and supports Network Function Virtualization (NFV). This extension is a response to the growing demand for flexible, scalable, and virtualized network services that can be deployed across multiple locations while reducing the reliance on physical network functions. The related RFC is RFC 4655, which provides an overview of the PCE architecture. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_Computation_Element https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc4655

PCEP is a protocol used for communication between a Path Computation Element (PCE) and a Path Computation Client (PCC) to compute network paths based on traffic engineering and service-level requirements. In this context, RFC 8373 extends PCEP to handle the instantiation and management of virtualized network functions, such as firewalls, load balancers, and intrusion detection systems, which are components of SFCs. The related RFC is RFC 5440, which defines the PCEP protocol. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_function_chaining https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc5440

A key aspect of RFC 8373 is its focus on SFC, which allows for the creation of ordered sequences of network services (such as firewalls, NAT, and IDS systems) that a particular data flow must pass through. This is crucial for ensuring that specific policies and services are applied to network traffic, enabling more granular control over how data is processed and secured within a network. The related RFC is RFC 7665, which provides a detailed overview of Service Function Chaining and its role in modern networking architectures. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_function_virtualization https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7665

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) allows traditional network services, which were once tightly coupled with hardware, to be implemented as virtualized instances that can be dynamically instantiated, scaled, and relocated. RFC 8373 integrates this concept into the PCEP framework, enabling virtualized functions to be deployed as part of the computed path for a data flow. This approach offers significant benefits in terms of scalability, flexibility, and cost savings, as service providers can adjust the placement and scale of virtualized services based on real-time demand. The related RFC is RFC 7567, which discusses architectural principles for NFV. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Network_function_virtualization https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc7567

RFC 8373 also introduces mechanisms for supporting traffic engineering in the context of virtualized environments. By extending PCEP to support service function chains, network operators can apply traffic engineering policies to ensure that network resources are used efficiently while meeting the specific requirements of each service chain. This enables operators to optimize the performance and availability of virtualized network functions, even as demand fluctuates. The related RFC is RFC 8231, which outlines PCEP extensions for traffic engineering. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_engineering_(telecommunications) https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc8231

Security is a significant consideration in RFC 8373, as it involves dynamically instantiating virtualized services that are critical to network operation. The document outlines security mechanisms to ensure that only authorized entities can instantiate or manage virtualized network functions. This includes mechanisms for authentication and authorization between PCEs and PCCs, as well as securing the communication channels used by PCEP. The related RFC is RFC 8253, which discusses PCEP security extensions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_Computation_Element https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc8253

The title of this RFC is “RFC 8373: Extension for Service Function Chain (SFC) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV).” RFC 8373 plays a crucial role in integrating Service Function Chains and Network Function Virtualization into the Path Computation Element Communication Protocol (PCEP), allowing for the dynamic instantiation and management of virtualized network services. By enabling flexible, scalable, and cost-efficient networking architectures, this RFC contributes to the modernization of network infrastructures while ensuring traffic engineering and security considerations are met. Through these extensions, network operators can deploy and manage virtualized services that are tailored to the specific needs of their networks, ensuring improved performance and reliability.