Abstract: This application relates to the field of network functions virtualization, and discloses a virtual machine deployment method and a related apparatus. According to the method, a network functions virtualization orchestrator NFVO device receives a request for instantiating an NS, where the request for instantiating the NS carries an identifier of the to-be-instantiated NS; the NFVO device obtains a deployment template of the NS NSD based on the identifier of the NS, where the NSD includes description information of a router RD; and the NFVO device requests, based on the description information of the router, a virtualized infrastructure manager VIM to create a router instance. According to this application, this application does not require the NFVO device to separately deploy a router instance before deploying an NS based on an NSD in comparison with conventional technologies. This simplifies the deployment process and improves NS deployment efficiency.