Universal customer premises equipment (uCPE) systems are generic network appliances that can be provisioned with virtual network functions (VNFs) to support all the networking functions required in a typical enterprise office. uCPE systems are often provided as part of a communications and cloud services solution that can include virtual applications and functions running on servers in central data centers, edge locations and customer premises. The uCPE solution is usually managed by the service provider to deliver the agreed services, although some large enterprise customers continue to manage their own network services, including uCPE systems. uCPE systems consist of a uCPE hardware platform and uCPE software, which includes operating system (OS) and a complete network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVi) for provisioning and managing the VNFs. The uCPE hardware platform is based on a server processor with memory and network interfaces matched to the performance and functionality required from the uCPE system.
This report discuses 18 vendors that have developed uCPE hardware platforms, uCPE software platforms or are providing specific uCPE integration services. The report also includes information on the leading processors for uCPE platforms and service provider approaches to uCPE systems, with specific information on AT&T uCPE platforms. The uCPE solutions discussed in this report cover a wide range of performance and flexibility requirements and show that uCPE solutions are continuing to develop with new processors, better system integration and more efficient virtualization solutions.