Abstract

By 2016, telecom providers began embracing Network Function Virtualization (NFV) to replace proprietary hardware appliances with software-based services. When combined with Software-Defined Networking (SDN), NFV offered a flexible and programmable approach to service chaining and resource allocation. This research investigates the architectural integration of SDN and NFV for carrier-grade network services, focusing on orchestration, interoperability, and performance isolation. The study analyzes the role of management and orchestration (MANO) frameworks, such as ETSI NFV, and evaluates open-source implementations like OpenStack and OpenDaylight. Through performance benchmarks and service deployment scenarios, the paper demonstrates how SDN/NFV convergence enhances agility, reduces operational costs, and meets SLA requirements in telecom environments.