Various exemplary embodiments relate to a method and related network node including one or more of the following: receiving, from a requesting device, a request to establish a component of an application; identifying a policy file associated with the application, wherein the policy file defines at least one segment for the application and defines at least one constraint for a first segment of the at least one segment; selecting the first segment for establishment of the component; selecting a location for establishment of the component, wherein the location is selected to be consistent with the at least one constraint; and establishing the component at the selected location.