Deploying NFV Services with NFX250

This Master’s Thesis is about deploying virtual network functions with a NFV platform. The Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is a very interesting and relevant topic in the current era of virtualization. The idea behind NFV is to virtualize network functions that usually have their own physical appliances and run them from a single device or a pool of devices such as servers. This kind of virtualized deployment reduces CAPEX, power and space. The goal of this thesis was to research and deploy a virtual network model to a branch network and see how well it could follow current the guidelines relevant to operational usage. In the thesis requirements and current network functions were mapped. The NFV model was compared in theory against the requirements. Network services were migrated to use the virtual network function architecture and a completely new service was deployed as a VNF to the branch network. Examples of this configuration are shown in the study. The NFV model was proven to meet the requirements derived from operational guidelines. All requirements required from the previous physical network model were met with appropriate and acceptable accuracy. The delivery of new services took a major leap forward with the virtualized model and the delivery time was reduced to one day. It is expected to be reduced even more in the future. The NFV model is the foundation and the first step towards a world of automated service delivery and orchestration. It blurs the borders between the two traditional working groups - servers and the networking side