Two design configurations are optimal with the vCloud NFV platform: a compact Two-Pod configuration and a Three-Pod configuration. These configurations can be deployed in the data center to meet target design and scale objectives.
Three-Pod Configuration The Three-Pod design separates the vCloud NFV functional blocks by using a Management Pod, Edge Pod, and Resource Pod for their functions. The initial deployment of a Three-Pod design consists of three vSphere clusters, one cluster per Pod respectively. Clusters can be scaled up by adding ESXi hosts, whereas Pods can be scaled up by adding clusters. The separation of management, Edge, and resource functions in individually scalable Pods allows the CSPs to plan capacity according to the needs of the specific function that each Pod hosts. This provides greater operational flexibility.
Two-Pod Configuration The vCloud NFV facilitates combining the Edge and resource functionality in a single, collapsed Pod that provides a small footprint. CSPs can use a Two-Pod design to gain operational experience with the vCloud NFV platform. As demand grows, they can scale up and scale out within the Two-Pod construct.