Network functions virtualization (NFV) is making big waves in the telecom industry, but the shift lacks proper oversight. Consequently, the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) defined management and orchestration (MANO) as the architectural framework for overseeing the surge of network functions flooding virtual devices.
At its inception, network functions, like network adword translations (NAT), domain name services (DNS), firewalls and encryption, were set up on proprietary hardware at user homes. Consumers had to order a piece of equipment and hire a technician to install it.