The solution suite includes a customizable set of VNFs, designed to help service providers improve the efficiency, performance and costs of a typical network function virtualization (NFV) deployment.
The VNF suite is built on ADTRAN’s networking application software, and it offers the same feature set and found in ADTRAN’s existing networking solutions such as routers, firewalls, enterprise session border controllers (eSBC) and voice quality monitoring. The underlying architecture allows service providers to pick and choose which network functions are virtualized, enabling the creation of service chains from multiple software vendors.
Commenting in a statement on the ADTRAN solution, Matthias Machowinski, research director, enterprise networks and video, IHS Technology group said, “Virtualizing CPE allows service providers to move away from deploying separate pieces of equipment at the customer premises for different functions, such as firewalls and eSBCs. By deploying software-based networking functions that achieve the same level of performance as hardware, service providers can save on equipment cost and management time, and open up new opportunities delivering services on demand.”
Chris Thompson, director, customer device portfolio, ADTRAN, added, “Giving providers the option to bundle multiple networking functions into a single VNF eases deployment headaches, improves efficiency and lowers expenses. As service providers’ business models evolve, ADTRAN is designing, integrating and managing the next generation of networking solutions to align with that forward-looking vision.”
Our observation: service providers are undergoing a transformation that is at least as significant as the 1980s transition they made replacing mechanical switches and analog transmission with digital infrastructures. As carriers shift their core service infrastructure from central-office architectures to a data center model based on contemporary computing platforms, it makes sense for them to also include NFV and SDN support for end points that offer the same advantages.