Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a request for a network service between two network nodes and identifying a network path between the two network nodes, wherein the network path is realized by equipment performing a number of network functions. A first network function of the number of network functions is associated with a first number of redundant virtualized network resources performing at least a similar network function as the first network function. Usage metrics are determined corresponding to the first number of redundant virtualized network resources and a first virtualized network resource of the first number of redundant virtualized network resources is assigned to the network path based on the usage metrics to obtain a first assigned virtualized network resource. The network service is provided between the two network nodes using the first assigned virtualized network resource. Other embodiments are disclosed.