Azure Network Function Manager on Microsoft Azure
What is Azure Network Function Manager?
Azure Network Function Manager is a managed orchestration service that lets you deploy and manage virtualized network functions (VNFs) through an Azure Marketplace experience on an Azure Stack Edge Pro device (GPU variant) at your own site. Unlike a pure cloud service, the actual network function runs on the on-premises edge hardware, while management, deployment, and governance are handled centrally through the Azure portal.
The service targets organizations that want to run network functions such as SD-WAN edge components, mobile packet core functions for private mobile networks, or VPN gateways directly on-site, without having to separately manage dedicated hardware appliances from different vendors.
Note: Documentation for Network Function Manager has since been folded into the Azure Stack Edge documentation. Before any new implementation, check the current product status in the official Azure documentation and portal, as feature details may change.
Core Features
- Azure Marketplace experience: select and deploy network functions from various partners directly through the marketplace
- Orchestration on Azure Stack Edge Pro: network functions run on the GPU variant of the Azure Stack Edge device on-site
- Consistent management: centralized governance and management experience in the Azure portal for network functions from different vendors
- Supported function types: including SD-WAN edge, mobile packet core, and VPN network functions
- No additional cost: using Network Function Manager is included with operating an Azure Stack Edge Pro device
Typical Use Cases
SD-WAN deployment at the edge: Deploying SD-WAN edge components on Azure Stack Edge to connect sites to a software-defined WAN.
Private mobile networks: Deploying a mobile packet core for private 4G/5G networks in industrial or campus environments.
On-site VPN connectivity: Deploying virtualized VPN gateways directly on the edge hardware.
Hybrid network governance: Unified management of network functions from different vendors through the Azure portal instead of separate vendor consoles.
Frequently Asked Questions about Azure Network Function Manager
What is Azure Network Function Manager?
Azure Network Function Manager is an orchestration service that lets you deploy and centrally manage virtualized network functions such as SD-WAN, mobile packet core, or VPN through an Azure Marketplace experience on Azure Stack Edge Pro devices.
Do I need special hardware for Network Function Manager?
Yes. Network Function Manager requires an activated Azure Stack Edge Pro device (GPU variant) on which the network functions actually run.
What does Azure Network Function Manager cost?
The service itself incurs no additional cost beyond operating the Azure Stack Edge Pro device. Costs arise for the edge device itself and, where applicable, for licenses of the network function vendors used.
Which network functions are supported?
Through the marketplace you can deploy SD-WAN edge components, mobile packet core functions, and VPN network functions from various partners, among others. The exact feature set depends on the specific marketplace offering.
How does Network Function Manager differ from Azure Firewall Manager?
Azure Firewall Manager centrally manages Azure Firewall instances and policies in the cloud. Network Function Manager, by contrast, orchestrates network functions that physically run on an Azure Stack Edge device at the customer’s site.
Integration with innFactory
As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, innFactory supports you in planning and implementing edge network architectures with Azure Stack Edge and Azure Network Function Manager. We help with architecture design, selecting suitable network functions, and operations.
Contact us for a non-binding consultation on Azure Network Function Manager and edge network strategies.
Typical Use Cases
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Azure (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Azure.
