Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) deliver network services — firewalls, SD-WAN, WAN optimization, NAT, DNS security — as software running on standard hardware or cloud infrastructure, replacing purpose-built appliances with flexible, software-defined network service delivery that can be deployed, scaled, and updated without hardware changes.
VNF deployment through NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) platforms allows organizations to consolidate multiple network appliances into a single hardware platform, deploy network services remotely without on-site hardware installation, and update or add services through software — transforming network operations from hardware lifecycle management to software-defined service delivery. RLM advises on VNF strategy, platform selection, and the NFV architecture that delivers operational flexibility without sacrificing performance.
A structured advisory process — from environment assessment and carrier/vendor evaluation to deployment support and ongoing optimization.
We assess your current network service architecture — documenting the appliances deployed at each site, the services running on each, and the hardware lifecycle, management complexity, and performance gaps that VNF consolidation could address.
We evaluate NFV platforms and uCPE (universal CPE) solutions — Cradlepoint NetCloud Exchange, Versa Networks, Fortinet vCPE, VMware SD-WAN — against your service requirements, hardware standardization goals, and the orchestration model that enables remote service deployment.
We design service function chaining — the ordered sequence of VNFs that traffic traverses (firewall → SD-WAN → WAN optimization) — ensuring service dependencies are correctly ordered and traffic flows through the complete security and optimization stack.
We validate VNF performance against the traffic volumes and application requirements at target sites — ensuring software-based functions meet the throughput and latency requirements previously met by purpose-built hardware.
The dimensions that separate high-performing mobility deployments from costly ones — and the questions RLM helps you answer before any commitment.
VNFs running on general-purpose hardware may not match the throughput performance of purpose-built network appliances. Evaluate performance benchmarks at your actual traffic volumes — particularly for CPU-intensive functions like deep packet inspection and encryption.
VNF platforms often create vendor dependency on the NFV orchestration layer. Evaluate the portability of VNF configurations and the lock-in implications of platform-specific orchestration requirements.
VNF environments require different operational skills than appliance environments. Evaluate the operational training and tooling required to manage virtualized network infrastructure and the monitoring approach for VNF health.
Hardware failure affects all VNFs running on a platform simultaneously. Evaluate the high-availability design for VNF hosting infrastructure and the recovery time for service restoration after hardware failure.
VNF software licensing models vary — per-instance, per-throughput, per-site. Evaluate the total licensing cost across your site portfolio and the cost model for scaling VNF instances during traffic growth.
"RLM helped us rationalize our mobile fleet across four carriers and cut our monthly spend by 31%. They handled the whole transition — we didn't lose a single device."
"We needed private LTE across 12 distribution centers. RLM mapped the vendors, ran the RFP, and had us live in 90 days. Their knowledge of the carrier landscape is unmatched."
Talk to an RLM advisor who specializes in enterprise mobility. Vendor-neutral guidance from assessment through deployment.