Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV) is an emerging concept, which refers to the migration of certain network
functionalities, traditionally performed by hardware elements, to virtualized IT infrastructures, where they are deployed
as software components. NFV leverages commodity servers and storage, including cloud platforms, to enable rapid
deployment, reconfiguration and elastic scaling of network functionalities.With the aim of promoting the NFV concept,
T-NOVA introduces a novel enabling framework, allowing operators not only to deploy virtualized Network Functions
(NFs) for their own needs, but also to offer them to their customers, as value-added services. Virtual network appliances
(gateways, proxies, firewalls, transcoders, analyzers etc.) can be provided on-demand as-a-Service, eliminating the need
to acquire, install and maintain specialized hardware at customers¿ premises. For these purposes, T-NOVA will design and
implement a management/orchestration platform for the automated provision, configuration, monitoring and optimization of
Network Functions-as-a-Service (NFaaS) over virtualised Network/IT infrastructures. T-NOVA leverages and enhances cloud
management architectures for the elastic provision and (re-) allocation of IT resources assigned to the hosting of Network
Functions. It also exploits and extends Software Defined Networking platforms for efficient management of the network
infrastructure.Furthermore, in order to facilitate the involvement of diverse actors in the NFV scene and attract new market
entrants, T-NOVA establishes a ¿NFV Marketplace¿, in which network services and Functions by several developers can be
published and brokered/traded. Via the Marketplace, customers can browse and select the services and virtual appliances
which best match their needs, as well as negotiate the associated SLAs and be charged under various billing models. A novel
business case for NFV is thus introduced and promoted.