Which standard architecture should a network administrator research for network virtualization?

The standard architecture that a network administrator should research for network virtualization is Network Functions Virtualization, often abbreviated as NFV. NFV is specifically designed to virtualize entire classes of network node functions into a software-based implementation, allowing these functions to run on general-purpose hardware rather than dedicated appliances. This flexibility significantly reduces costs and improves scalability and agility in network management.

With NFV, functions that traditionally required specialized hardware—such as routers, firewalls, and load balancers—can now be implemented as software applications running on standard servers. This transition enables improved resource utilization and easier deployment and management of network services, aligning closely with the principles of network virtualization.

Other choices might involve network concepts but do not focus primarily on virtualization. Software-Defined Networking (SDN), for example, is closely related and deals with the control of network behavior through programming but is not exclusively about virtualization. LAN and WAN, on the other hand, refer to types of networks rather than architectural frameworks for virtualization. Thus, NFV is the most relevant and appropriate option for research in the context of network virtualization.