Implementing Virtual Network Functions in Named Data Networking and Web 3.0

Abstract

Modern networks use Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) to implement processing functions on network traffic, such as content inspection, load balancing, etc. These network functions can be invoked directly by end systems or transparently by network providers to implement local policies. VNFs have been explored extensively for connection-oriented networks, but the use of VNFs for content-centric/information-centric networks is new. Our prior work has shown that network functions can be applied in the context of Named Data Networking (NDN) in principle and that such functionality can provide benefits to implementing network policies. This paper presents results from an actual prototype implementation of Named Data Network Functions (NDNF). Our work discusses implementation considerations and a variety of test scenarios that have been evaluated on the widely used ndnSIM simulator. We show that Named Data Network Functions can be implemented effectively and invoked by end systems or intermediate nodes to enforce network policies transparently. This technique can be applied to the emerging Web 3.0, which can be based on named data information transfers.