Book excerpt: Network Function Virtualization provides an architectural, vendor-neutral level overview of the issues surrounding the large levels of data storage and transmission requirements needed for today's companies, also enumerating the benefits of NFV for the enterprise. Drawing upon years of practical experience, and using numerous examples and an easy-to-understand framework, authors Tom Nadeau and Ken Gary discuss the relevancy of NFV and how it can be effectively used to create and deploy new services. Readers will learn how to determine if network function virtualization is right for their enterprise network, be able to use hands-on, step-by-step guides to design, deploy, and manage NFV in an enterprise, and learn how to evaluate all relevant NFV standards, including ETSI, IETF, Openstack, and Open Daylight. - Provides a comprehensive overview of Network Function Virtualization (NFV) - Discusses how to determine if network function virtualization is right for an enterprise network - Presents an ideal reference for those interested in NFV Network Service Chaining, NSC network address translation (NAT), firewalling, intrusion detection, domain name service (DNS), caching, and software defined networks - Includes hands-on, step-by-step guides for designing, deploying, and managing NFV in the enterprise - Explains, and contrasts, all relevant NFV standards, including ETSI, IETF, Openstack, and Open Daylight