ETSI has released Release 4 of the NFV-MANO framework, introducing new logical functions for container cluster management and container infrastructure services to support cloud-native VNFs alongside traditional virtual machines. This update enables operators to automate the creation and isolation of OS container clusters, such as Kubernetes, while maintaining a smooth evolution path for existing NFV infrastructures. The release includes standardized specifications for service interfaces, object models, and API profiling that map NFV requirements to open-source solutions like Helm and the OCI distribution specification. These enhancements provide a complete set of Stage-3 specifications for containerized VNF lifecycle management, fostering interoperable 5G deployments through the integration of widely adopted industry standards.
Keywords: NFV-MANO, containerized VNFs, cloud-native, Kubernetes, orchestration