nV2

nV2 is a lightweight, modular framework designed for building and managing virtualized network functions (VNFs). Developed by the open‑source community of the Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) Alliance, it was released under the Apache 2.0 license in 2021 as a successor to the original nV1, which primarily targeted educational environments. The framework emphasizes a service‑oriented architecture, allowing network operators to instantiate, scale, and delete VNFs with minimal configuration.

Key features of nV2 include a standardized API layer that supports both RESTful and gRPC interfaces, automated deployment pipelines via Docker and Kubernetes primitives, and a built‑in policy engine that enforces quality‑of‑service guarantees. The project also provides a reusable component library covering common networking primitives such as transport connectors, security services, and performance metrics collectors. The modular design enables plug‑in support for custom processing logic, allowing integration with legacy systems or third‑party analytics tools.

Industry adoption of nV2 has been concentrated in carrier broadband operators and large enterprise data centers. Several pilot projects in the European Union have demonstrated the framework’s ability to reduce VNF provisioning times by up to 40% compared with proprietary solutions. Researchers have also used nV2 as a testbed for experimenting with intent‑based networking policies and automated fault detection techniques.

Because of its open‑source nature and active community, nV2 continues to evolve with regular releases that add support for emerging virtualization technologies such as edge computing and 5G radio access network slices. The project’s source code repository, documentation, and contribution guidelines can be found on the official GitHub organization dedicated to the NFV Foundation.