A method, and corresponding system, for managing a service delivery
network. The method includes steps to add a service to the network
including receiving a request for a new service, such as a service
provided by a service application. The request is processed to identify
resources within the service delivery network for providing the new
service including a host for running the service application. A container
is provided on the host and is configured to encapsulate the service
application. The method continues with establishing membership of the
container in a virtual local access network, which includes configuring
the container for data packet communications utilizing VLAN tagging.