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A new whitepaper by OneAccess Networks has explored a strategic approach for enterprises to migrate to software defined networking (SDN) and network functions virtualisation (NFV).
With customer traffic volumes and volatility on the rise, OneAccess argues a combination of SDN and NFV could be necessary for operators to remain viable and competitive.
Despite the clear benefits of NFV and SDN, most major service providers are yet to adopt them. According to the whitepaper, titled ‘A Pragmatic NFV Strategy for the Delivery of Enterprise Business Services’, this could be due to the challenge of setting up a realistic migration strategy. Given the investments required in current network infrastructure and operations and business support systems, a simple remove and replace strategy is not realistic. In addition, all major networking vendors advocate different and incompatible migration roadmaps.
The whitepaper discusses the role of virtualisation and the long-term and short-term benefits of SDN and NFV, the challenges associated with migrating, building a migration strategy and using OneAccess Networks for services migration.
OneAccess also describes a four-step migration roadmap with its virtual CPE (vCPE) adapter, which can introduce a complete range of legacy services in a virtualised service chain. The adapter initially translates NETCONF to legacy instructions. It can be used to set up traffic redirection in order to introduce other virtual functions.
In this four-step roadmap, OneAccess suggests first deploying the vCPE adapter to combine physical and virtual CPE services into the same service chain. The second step involves enabling book-ended services such as hybrid access, VPN and WAN optimisation, combining hybrid, physical and virtual components in a central framework. The third step involves enabling native NETCONF on virtual and physical CPE, and the final step involves enabling OpenFlow data on the CPE or router.
Elsewhere, Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei have been confirmed for the interactive demonstration of NFV proof of concepts by the Broadband World Forum. Ericsson said that it will share insights to demonstrate the virtualisation of end-to-end Wi-Fi calling network infrastructure. More NFV solution providers are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The demonstrations will be held on 20-21 October.
