VMware announced the general availability of its vCloud NFV platform, which brings together the core virtualization and management components required for NFV deployment in multi-vendor, multi-function environments. The vCloud NFV platform supports more than 40 virtual network functions from 30 different VNF vendors. VMware vCloud NFV includes the following components:
- Production-Proven NFVI Solutions: VMware vSphere delivers high performance, scale and availability for mobility and fixed line services in the cloud. VMware Virtual SAN is fully integrated into the VMware stack to support the most demanding mobile core and IMS functions, delivering better performance than a virtual appliance or external device for supporting the storage requirements of network functions and services. VMware NSX provides critical L2/L3 networking features in software to help CSPs realize the benefits of server virtualization for the entire data center / central office construct.
- Openness and Choice in Cloud Management: VMware provides flexible options for virtual infrastructure management (VIM) through VMware vCloud Director-SP and VMware Integrated OpenStack. VMware vCloud Director addresses NFV needs through new self-service provisioning capabilities, vApp enhancements and tenant throttling. VMware Integrated OpenStack is Kilo-based, and includes load-balancing as a service (LBaaS), Ceilometer and Heat Auto Scaling to make VMware-based OpenStack clouds more scalable, performant and resilient.
- Service Assurance with Day 2 and Ongoing Operations: VMware offers CSPs fully integrated and unified operations tools to deliver ongoing service assurance for multi-tenant network functions.
VMware also announced a new NFV accreditation program and new carrier-grade services delivered by VMware and VMware partners.
The VMware Ready program designates VMware’s highest level of endorsement for products and solutions created by the company’s established partners, and accreditation builds customer confidence and accelerates partner opportunity. Initial partners committing to the VMware Ready NFV Program include Affirmed Networks, Brocade, Metaswitch, Mitel, NEC, VeloCloud and Versa Networks.
“VMware’s technology is enabling leading global service providers such as Vodafone, Ooredoo, IIJ, and Vip Mobile deliver mission critical network functions spanning mobile core and cloud,” said Shekar Ayyar, corporate senior vice president and general manager, Telco NFV Group at VMware. “We are continuing to double down on our efforts to help CSPs create one consistent infrastructure environment to rapidly and securely build, run and deliver any traditional or cloud-native virtual network function.”
These solutions and partnerships will be featured this week at VMworld 2015 Europe in Barcelona.