Do NFV and SDN depend on each other?

NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) and SDN (Software-Defined Networking) are indeed independent technologies, even though they can complement each other in modern networking environments. NFV focuses on virtualizing network services that have traditionally been run on proprietary hardware, allowing these services to be implemented on generic hardware platforms. It aims to improve flexibility, scalability, and resource utilization in network management.

On the other hand, SDN separates the network control plane from the data plane, providing a centralized control mechanism that allows for more programmable and efficient management of the entire network architecture. This separation enables more dynamic and automated network management, making it easier to adapt to changes in traffic and demands.

While they can be deployed together to enhance network operations, it is not a requirement for their functionality. An organization can implement NFV without SDN and vice versa, which highlights their independence as technologies. This relationship allows for diverse use cases and deployment strategies that can be tailored to specific organizational needs.