In 2009, Forrester developed a new business technology network framework called virtual network infrastructure (VNI). Fifteen years later, technology has advanced enough to support VNI, but a confusing array of names and acronyms, including software-defined networking (SDN), network functions virtualization (NFV), and service chaining, has emerged. Networking professionals must understand why VNI is a core architecture in building the next-generation network to support the digital business. This report explains the vision and key concepts of the model and connects industry buzzwords with five fundamental tenets to fit the VNI vision.