Enhanced pre-loading for edge gateways in communications networks

A system for staging a universal customer edge gateway device, the system comprising:

• at least one processor of the universal customer edge gateway device coupled to memory of the universal customer edge gateway device;
• and
• copies of virtual network function (VNF) operating system (OS) images stored in a secured partition on the universal customer edge gateway device, the copies comprising a first copy of a first VNF OS image and a second copy of a second VNF OS image, wherein the at least one processor is configured to:
• generate, prior to deployment of the universal customer edge gateway device at a customer location, the copies;
• identify, during a deployment of the universal customer edge gateway device at the customer location, a selection of the first copy from a list of the copies;
• copy, during the deployment and based on the selection, the first VNF OS image to the universal customer edge gateway device, wherein copying the first VNF OS image to the universal customer edge gateway device comprises copying the first VNF OS from the secured partition to a hypervisor of the universal customer edge gateway device;
• and
• instantiate, at the universal customer edge gateway device, the copied first VNF OS image.

A device for staging a universal customer edge gateway device, the device comprising at least one processor coupled to memory, the at least one processor configured to:

• generate, prior to deployment of the universal customer edge gateway device at a customer location, copies of virtual network function (VNF) operating system (OS) images on the universal customer edge gateway device, the copies comprising a first copy of a first VNF OS image and a second copy of a second VNF OS image;
• store the copies in a secured partition on the universal customer edge gateway device;
• identify, during a deployment of the universal customer edge gateway device at the customer location, a selection of the first copy from a list of the copies;
• copy, during the deployment and based on the selection, the first VNF OS image to the universal customer edge gateway device, wherein copying the first VNF OS image to the universal customer edge gateway device comprises copying the first VNF OS from the secured partition to a hypervisor of the universal customer edge gateway device;
• and
• instantiate, at the universal customer edge gateway device, the copied first VNF OS image.