Virtualizing the Network Edge: Virtual CPE for the datacenter and the PoP

The telco market is rapidly moving towards an Everything as a Service model, in which the virtualization of traditionally in-the-box network functions is often paired with Software Defined Networking (SDN) tools/technologies and advanced Infrastructure as a Service platforms. Primary area of impact for operators is the network edge, and in particular their datacenter and Point of Presence (PoP). Here, the virtual CPE (vCPE) is emerging as one of the primary applications of the Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) architecture, with the potential to generate a significant impact on the network operators business. With virtual CPE we refer to the execution in virtual environments of those network functions traditionally integrated in hardware gears at customer premises, e.g. for BGP, Firewall, NAT, etc …

Giacomo Bernini, Gino Carrozzo, Pedro A. Aranda Gutierrez, Diego R. Lopez. 23rd European Conference on Networks and Communications (EuCNC’2014) in Bologna, (June 23-26 2014)