Constraint-Based Virtual Network Function Placement

A system comprising:

• a processor;
• a user interface coupled to the processor;
• a network interface card communicating with a virtual network function (VNF) manager, a virtual machine (VM) manager and a software defined network (SDN) manager;
• memory coupled to the processor and containing programs for execution by the processor that cause the processor to perform the following method when executed on the processor, the method comprising:
• analyzing for each host of interest of a plurality of hosts, factors for each characteristic of a host, the characteristics indicating desired system conditions for a VNF executing on a host, to develop characteristic values for each characteristic of each host;
• and
• utilizing desired characteristics applicable to a VNF and the characteristic values of each host to determine a selected VNF/host pair.

A non-transitory storage medium storing programs for execution by a processor that cause the processor to perform the following method when executed on the processor, the method comprising:

• comprising:
• analyzing for each host of interest of a plurality of hosts, factors for each characteristic of a host, the characteristics indicating desired system conditions for a virtual network function (VNF) executing on a host, to develop characteristic values for each characteristic of each host;
• and
• utilizing desired characteristics applicable to a VNF and the characteristic values of each host to determine a selected VNF/host pair.