In an NFV environment following Cisco NFV Infrastructure and ETSI MANO architecture, the onboarding workflow for VNF deployment follows this high-level order:
* Define VNF descriptors (VNFD and NSD)- Includes implementation details and service definitions.
* Prepare virtual machine resources- Flavor, image, CPU/memory/storage, and placement.
* Define the NFV network- This step builds the underlay/overlay connectivity needed for the VNF.- It includes virtual network creation, interfaces, VLs (Virtual Links), connection points, and mapping into OpenStack (Neutron networks, subnets, ports).- No VNF can be deployed until the NFV service networks (management, control, data, HA) are defined.
* Apply Day-0 configuration- Bootstrapping/initial config.
* Apply Day-1 operational characteristics- Routing, services, policies.
* Configure operational monitoring (KPIs)- Performance and fault measurements.
Since the question states"after the VM resources are prepared", the next mandatory stage is defining the virtual network connectivity on which the VNFs will operate.