Network services using pools of pre-configured virtualized network functions and service chains

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for reducing the time required to instantiate network services in a service provider network to service requests by subscriber devices. In one example, an orchestration engine pre-creates pools of different virtual network functions (VNFs). Upon receiving a request to service network traffic from a subscriber device, the orchestration engine dynamically creates a service chain using the appropriate VNFs from the pools of different VNFs. In another example, the orchestration engine pre-creates pools of common service chains. Upon receiving a request to service network traffic from a subscriber device, the orchestration engine selects the appropriate service chain from the pools of service chains. After configuring the service chain, the orchestration engine issues instructions to a Software-Defined Networking (SDN) controller causing the SDN controller to update forwarding information in the service provider network to enable the service chain to service the subscriber traffic.