Verizon details virtual network services

Verizon Enterprise Solutions last week formally launched its Virtual Network Services portfolio. Joining the previously announced software-defined WAN (SD-WAN) offering are software-defined networking/network functions virtualization (SDN/NFV) enabled security and WAN optimization services as the initial service mix.

Verizon promises to deliver its Virtual Network Services via three business models. Delivery via premises-based universal customer premises equipment (CPE) is available now. Cloud-based virtual CPE services should be ready by this fall, which will also lead to a hybrid services offering that combines the two delivery mechanisms.

"The way in which network services are delivered is going through an unprecedented shift—the biggest we've seen since the broad adoption of MPLS," said Shawn Hakl, vice president of networking and innovation, Verizon. "Today the network is transitioning to a virtualized model using similar technology that drove the disruption in the data center market. With our new solution set, enterprises will be able to balance agility, performance, cost, and security necessitated by the growth of mobile-to-cloud applications and the Internet of Things."

The service launch culminates the service provider's efforts to meet growing needs for greater flexibility, speed to deployment, and customer control that had led some Verizon business subscribers to turn to other providers (see "WAL: SDN providers nibbling away at slow-moving MPLS carriers"). The company announced its SDN/NFV strategy for business services last year, including a list of major partners (see "Verizon announces major SDN transmission technology partners"). Verizon lists the partner/service breakdown as follows:

• vSecurity: Cisco, Fortinet, Juniper Networks, and Palo Alto Networks
• vWAN Optimization: Cisco and Riverbed
• SD-WAN: Cisco and Viptela
• uCPE: Cisco and Juniper Networks.
  

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