VMware, Inc., the global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, today debuted VMware vCloud for NFV, an integrated Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) platform that will combine VMware's production-proven virtualized compute, networking, storage and management solutions with integrated OpenStack support. With support for more than 40 different virtual network functions (VNFs) from more than 30 vendors, VMware vCloud for NFV is the only platform available today that runs different VNFs from different vendors side by side on the same unified platform for the cloud. With vCloud for NFV, communication service providers (CSPs) can deploy NFV solutions into production on a proven platform to achieve faster time to market for new and differentiated services while driving sustainable cost reductions.

At Mobile World Congress, VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger will deliver a keynote address titled, "The New Mobile Identity" on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 from 9:15 - 10:45 a.m. CET in Hall 4, Auditorium 1.

Faced with declining margins and the need to accelerate service innovation, CSPs globally are embracing NFV to make their core network more agile and cost-effective. As the pioneer in virtualization and cloud, VMware is engaging with CSPs to deliver NFV solutions today. The VMware vCloud NFV Platform features VMware vSphere®, the industry-defining compute virtualization solution for the cloud; VMware NSX, a full network virtualization platform that delivers the entire networking and security model from L2-L7 in software; VMware Virtual SAN, software-defined storage that reduces storage CapEx and OpEx; and VMware vRealize Operations, an extensible cloud management solution which will deliver purpose-built management packs to meet the unique requirements of CSPs. The platform will include full OpenStack compatibility through VMware Integrated OpenStack.

"Vodafone chose VMware's virtualization infrastructure for our initial Telco Cloud services, and we have successfully been in production with several services," said Kevin Salvadori, Director of Group Technology Strategy and Operations, Vodafone Group. "VMware was the solution for NFV that is ready for production across the different workloads we care about. As a result, we have been able to accelerate our time to market for new capabilities."

"By moving Network Functions Virtualization into production today, our communications service provider customers, such as Vodafone, are accelerating their own transformation into next-generation cloud providers, building the operational expertise needed to succeed in the cloud era ahead of their competition," said Shekar Ayyar, recently appointed corporate senior vice president, Strategy and Corporate Development and General Manager, Telco NFV Group, VMware. "Today, CSPs can deploy virtual network functions on VMware vCloud APIs, building valuable production cloud DNA into their operations and support teams. At the same time, they can begin to test OpenStack-based VNFs on the same infrastructure and deploy to production as OpenStack's suitability for NFV use cases improves in future releases."

VMware to Offer Fast and Simple Path to OpenStack
VMware vCloud for NFV will include VMware Integrated OpenStack, VMware's fully-tested and supported OpenStack distribution. VMware Integrated OpenStack will offer a fast route to service innovation by combining the agility of OpenStack with the resiliency and maturity of VMware's proven portfolio of best-in-class compute, networking, storage and management components. With VMware vCloud for NFV, CSPs will be able to take a phased approach to adopting OpenStack, and VMware will help CSPs drive increasingly greater value from OpenStack as the framework evolves to help them accelerate service innovation and reduce costs. The vCloud for NFV platform is available today, with VMware Integrated OpenStack scheduled to be available in the platform Q1 2015.

"We are seeing OpenStack momentum continue to grow across the CSP market as our customers seek to achieve greater agility, and to leverage Open APIs to support true multi-vendor NFV. OpenStack also supports the NFV objective of dramatically reducing infrastructure costs to address continued margin erosion," continued Ayyar. "CSPs need an OpenStack distribution that is optimized for a mature NVFI platform that helps them get started today and carries them through tomorrow, and VMware will meet this need by offering customers a fast and simple path to OpenStack adoption."