AT&T FlexWare thoughts

FlexWare is AT&T's latest offer for NFV (Network Function Virtualization) targeting software control of VNFs for enterprise customers. One of its greatest advantages is its multi-vendor approach, as It is offered in conjunction with AT&T VPN service and supports Juniper and Cisco virtual routers, Fortinet virtual security, and Riverbed virtual WAN accelerator. These AT&T-certified FlexWare Applications can be deployed on either small or medium industry standard
FlexWare Devices and come with flexible AT&T or customer management options.

According to Roman Pacewicz, SVP &T Business, In less than 2 years, AT&T has been deployed to more than 2,000 sites globally, expanding to over 200 countries and territories. Orchestration is going to be done through IBM's cloud, cognitive, analytics and security infrastructure.

AT&T can install an FlexWare Device on your premises, bring it online and manage it, just as we would a traditional managed network device, except that the FlexWare Device has the flexibility to be virtually any kind of network appliance – or appliances – that you want. Once online and activated, the FlexWare Device connects to the AT&T SDN-enabled cloud to receive the necessary software and thereafter assumes the identity of the installed FlexWare Applications. Because the FlexWare Device can house multiple FlexWare Applications on a piece of hardware, it replaces the need for multiple specialized hardware appliances, likely reducing your total cost of ownership in
comparison to what you would spend to buy and operate traditional
proprietary equipment.

AT&T FlexWare Application portfolio currently offers:

Cisco and Juniper Virtual Routing 
Connect your sites with virtual routers from industry leaders and take full advantage of enterprise-grade class of service, IPv4 and IPv6 support, reporting and monitoring.

Fortinet Virtual Security 
Help secure your environment with a virtual security solution that offers best-in-class intrusion prevention, virus protection, and Web filtering.

Riverbed Virtual WAN Acceleration 
Optimize your network with a virtual WAN acceleration solution that allows you to enhance delivery of business-critical applications, reduces latency, and improves IT control and visibility

Hardware options come in three flavors (U210, U410, U412) as follows:

I love the overall offering and its maturity, its multi-vendor approach (giving plenty of options to customers), the relative low cost of the micro-CPEs options, its support (you deal with AT&T specialists, not with the vendor of the VNFs) and the ease of service.