In a new report, Strategy Analytics proposes that service providers virtualize their network and service platforms first to reduce the risks of deploying Network Function Virtualization (NFV) outside the Data Center, which is a far less risky area. Strategy Analytics suggests 16 requirements for virtualizing networking platforms as a first step on the road to the NFV compliant public 'Telco Cloud'.
"Operators are finding it risky to move to SDN/NFV on their public networks without true carrier class network virtualization. They are successfully implementing NFV in the data center or for virtual Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)," noted Sue Rudd, Director Service Provider Analytics, Wireless Networks and Platforms at Strategy Analytics. "But data center and end user equipment virtualization do not have the demanding requirements that public telecommunications networks do. We decided to outline a set of 16 key networking virtualization requirements that should be met first."
Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Director Wireless Operator Strategies at Strategy Analytics added, "As operators strive to adopt new processes for their digital transformation to 'All-IP' networking, it is important that they minimize the risk of service disruption by leveraging proven technology. Changing operations processes while simultaneously installing unproven 'bare metal' solutions could dramatically increase the risks of NFV deployment. That could actually delay the rollout of SDN/NFV next generation networks."
