InterCloud Introduces Virtual Network Function Validation Services
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InterCloud Introduces Virtual Network Function Validation Services

CIO Review

FREMONT, CA: InterCloud Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:ICLD), a single-source provider of end-to-end information technology (IT) and next-generation network solutions launched its industry leading vendor-independent, multi-vendor Virtual Network Function validation services recently. Service providers know in advance that virtual network functions are working together in a specific, dynamic, environment through third-party VNF validation. Sitting on top of the hierarchy, VNF requires validation every time any new release of underlying software layers is introduced. The VNF validation service will provide VNF vendors with an efficient methodology ensuring the consistency of vertical integration, without degradation in performance of any other functions of the VNF.

Network Functions Virtualization (NFV)—a telecom led initiative will likely transform the entire telecom infrastructure ecosystem. NFV seeks to utilize standard IT virtualization technology to consolidate many telecom network equipment types onto industry standard high volume servers, switches and storage. Between 2015 and 2020 it is estimated that the overall global market for NFV will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 83.1 percent. By the end of 2020, NFV revenues will reach $8.7 Bn.

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InterCloud CEO, Mark Munro stated: “The explosion of NFV solutions signals a revolution in IT networking, operators have a bewildering set of new tools at hand as they launch SDN and utilize OEM virtualized devices such as routers, switches, fire walls and load balancers throughout their massive network footprints. But on another level, network operations are changing from a relatively static model to a dynamic one where whole services are on-boarded and terminated, and the interdependencies affected by that must be known in advance.”

InterCloud has created three levels of validation services. Each VNF validation is as unique as the network itself and is available through annual contracts. InterCloud offers the level of service needed, no matter how intricate a network is. InterCloud offers:

Silver validation

Operating successfully in the Cloud/SDN environment, this first tier of qualification includes the validation of basic NFV functionality running on fully virtualized SDN-enabled Cloud platform.

Gold validation

Including everything in the Silver Validation, this tier of qualification offers guaranteed performance testing of scalability (both up and down) to address the demand volatility that CSPs face. Gold validation is done in compliance with OPNFV (Open Platform for Networks Function Virtualization) testing requirements.

Platinum validation

Being the highest level of validation, it includes everything in the Gold Validation and guarantees that the NFV will remain functional as software and hardware that continues to update or change.

“A well-defined interoperability testing strategy for network virtualization is a critical next step for telecommunication equipment vendors gearing up towards virtualization and cloud,” says Mark Munro. “With many network functions now in virtualized form, interoperability will be critical both horizontally among the virtualized network functions working in the chain, and vertically as well, thus ensuring that the system as a whole is working efficiently. Our goal is to become the global leader in multi-vendor, third party NFV validation services and build a brand of excellence.”

Based on NFVgrid, InterCloud's validation service offering is an outgrowth of the company's experience in NFV-MANO grounded orchestration. NFVgrid brings PID-level granularity and machine learning to network function virtualization by combining cloud, big data, and virtualization technologies into one NFV controller.

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