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Placing virtual network functions (VNFs) in nodes of an infrastructure are disclosed. A request for services may identify a series of VNFs. Requests may be grouped by time windows such that all requests in a time window are placed together. Placing the requests includes identifying which nodes host which VNFs. Some of the VNFs may already exist in the infrastructure. Placing the requests may include generating a placement plan that accounts, for example, for available resources, links in the infrastructure, node restrictions, service level agreements, quality of service requirements, and user priorities. Once generated, the plan is executed. Chains of VNFs can be replaced when service degrades or based on user location.