Method and system for monitoring resource usage by network node components

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for monitoring resource usage details by network node components The disclosure encompasses retrieving, from an inventory management unit (IMU) [314], a first list of resources. Further, the disclosure encompasses transmitting, to an adaptor unit (ADU) [312], the first list of resources. Further a second list of resources is fetched from the ADU [312]. Further the disclosure encompasses comparing, first list of resources and second list of resources for each VNFC. Further the disclosure encompasses transmitting, to IMU [314], a final list of resources for each VNFC based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MONITORING RESOURCE USAGE BY NETWORK NODE COMPONENTSFIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of wireless communication systems. More particularly, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for monitoring resource usage by network node components.BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.

[0003] Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. 3G technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth-generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth-generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users.

[0004] Network functions virtualization (NFV) software defined network (SDN) platform has been built to act as a single platform to manage all the virtual network functions (VNFs) and containerized network functions (CNFs) being deployed in a telecom network. As the platform is completely based on micro service architecture, it is highly scalable and will be able to handle hundreds of NFV. The platform is completely event driven and is based on standard REST APIs.Auditor service (AU) audits the resources in terms of physical memory, RAM and CPU at Inventory Manager. It brings inventory in close sync with real time available / used resources and minimizes the mismatch between Inventory Manager (IM) and real time hardware. The data accuracy depends primarily on Open Stack Adaptor (OSA or OS) and Inventory Manager (IM). OSA is used for virtual machine deployment. AU detects whether the hosts contain lesser / more instances than the amount present in inventory managed by IM. It accordingly sends API request to IM to update its inventory. AU interacts with these Microservices to fetch the real time data using various APIs. OSA provides accurate resource usage details by accessing the servers. There is a dire need for an interface which provides the actual resource usage at VNFC in real time.

[0005] Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to provide an efficient system and method for monitoring resource usage by network node components.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for monitoring resource usage by network node components. The method includes retrieving, by a retrieving unit at an auditor unit (AU), from an inventory management unit (IMU), a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU. Next, the method includes transmitting, by a transceiver unit at the auditor unit (AU), to an adaptor unit (ADU), the first list of resources. Next, the method includes fetching, by an extraction unit at the auditor unit (AU), from the ADU, a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU. Next, the method includes comparing, by a comparator unit at the auditor unit (AU), the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs. Thereafter, the method includes transmitting, by the transceiver unit at the auditor unit (AU) to the IMU, a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.

[0008] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises allocating, by an allocation unit, a task to a next available instance in an event of failure of a current available instance processing the task.

[0009] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the transmitting the first list of resources comprises: sending, by the transceiver unit at the auditor unit (AU), a query message to the ADU for receiving the list of resources utilized, in real-time, by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs.

[0010] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the list of resources comprises information related to one or more of a physical memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a central processing unit (CPU).

[0011] In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method further comprises allocating, by an allocation unit, resources for one or more tasks based on an asynchronous event-based implementation technique.

[0012] Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a system for monitoring resource usage by network node components. The system comprises an auditor unit (AU). The auditor unit (AU) comprises a retrieving unit configured to retrieve, from an inventory management unit (IMU), a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU. Further, the AU comprises a transceiver unit connected at least with the retrieving unit, the transceiver unit configured to transmit, to an adaptor unit (ADU), the first list of resources. Further, the AU comprises an extraction unit connected at least with the transceiver unit, the extraction unit configured to fetch, from the ADU, a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU. Further, the AU comprises a comparator unit connected at least with the extraction unit, the comparator unit configured to compare, the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs. The transceiver unit is further configured to transmit, to the IMU, a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.

[0013] Yet another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for monitoring resource usage by network node components, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a retrieving unit of the system to retrieve, from an inventory management unit (IMU), a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU; a transceiver unit connected at least with the retrieving unit, the transceiver unit of the system to transmit, to an adaptor unit (ADU), the first list of resources; an extraction unit connected at least with the transceiver unit, the extraction unit of the system to fetch, from the ADU, a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU; and a comparator unit connected at least with the extraction unit, the comparator unit of the system to compare, the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs; the transceiver unit further of the system to transmit, to the IMU, a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.

[0015] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method that is able to monitor the accurate resource usage details by accessing the servers.

[0016] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that provides data of actual resources used by VNFCs running on servers of a site.DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating theprinciples of the present disclosure. Also, the embodiments shown in the figures are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure, but the possible variants of the method and system according to the disclosure are illustrated herein to highlight the advantages of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a management and orchestration (MANO) architecture.

[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for monitoring resource usage by network node components, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a method flow diagram for monitoring resource usage by network node components, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary process flow diagram for monitoring resource usage by network node components, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system architecture diagram for monitoring resource usage by network node components, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[0024] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure.It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter may each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above.

[0026] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth.

[0027] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail.

[0028] Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations may be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.

[0029] The word “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and / or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive — in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word — without precluding any additional or other elements.

[0030] As used herein, a “processing unit” or “processor” or “operating processor” includes one or more processors, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. A processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a (Digital Signal Processing) DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input / output processing, and / or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor or processing unit is a hardware processor.

[0031] As used herein, “storage unit” or “memory unit” refers to a machine or computer-readable medium including any mechanism for storing information in a form readable by a computer or similar machine. For example, a computer-readable medium includes read-only memory (“ROM”), random access memory (“RAM”), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory devices, or other types of machine-accessible storage media. The storage unit stores at least the data that may be required by one or more units of the system to perform their respective functions.

[0032] As used herein “interface” refers to a shared boundary across which two or more separate components of a system exchange information or data. The interface may also be referred to as a set of rules or protocols that define the communication or interaction of one or more modules or one or more units with each other, which also includes the methods, functions, or procedures that may be called.

[0033] All modules, units, and components used herein, unless explicitly excluded herein, may be software modules or hardware processors, the processors being a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), Field Programmable Gate Array circuits (FPGA), any other type of integrated circuits, etc.

[0034] As used herein the transceiver unit includes at least one receiver and at least one transmitter configured respectively for receiving and transmitting data, signals, information, or a combination thereof between units / components within the system and / or connected with the system.

[0035] As used herein, the Physical and Virtual Inventory Manager (PVIM) module maintains the inventory and its resources. After getting a request to reserve resources from PEEGN, PVIM adds up the resources consumed by a particular network function as used resources. Further, the PVIM updates this in the NoSQL database.

[0036] As used herein, Micro Service Auditor (MAUD) may audit the network resources of network node components in the network.

[0037] As used herein, Policy Schedular & Cron Jobs (PSC) may schedule one or more cron jobs based on scheduled time period configured by network administrator.

[0038] As used herein, Open Stack Adapter (OSA) may provide virtual machine deployment. OSA provides the accurate and actual resource usage details by accessing the servers.

[0039] As used herein, auditor unit (AU) may refer to Micro Service Auditor of MANO architecture.

[0040] As used herein, inventory management unit (IMU) may refer to Physical & Virtual Inventory / Resource Manager of MANO architecture.

[0041] As used herein, adaptor unit (ADU) may refer to Open Stack Adaptor of MANO architecture.

[0042] As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions have several shortcomings. The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other existing problems in this field of technology by providing a method and system for monitoring resource usage by network node components.

[0043] The present disclosure aims to overcome the issues discussed in the background section and other existing problems in this field of technology by using AU OS interface that utilises data of actual resources used by VNFCs running on servers of a site and fetches the VNFC’s number of instances list for a node. Further, AU OS interface ensures fault tolerance for any event failure, this interface works in a high availability mode and if one auditor instance went down during request processing then next available instance will take care of this request.

[0044] The present disclosure is implemented in a network such as, but not limited to 5G network, lower than 5G network (e.g., 4G network) and higher than 5G network (e.g., 6G network).

[0045] The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.

[0046] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of a management and orchestration (MANO) architecture / platform

[0100] , in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure. The MANO architecture

[0100] may be developed for managing telecom cloud infrastructure automatically, managing design or deployment design, managing instantiation of network node(s) / service(s) etc. The MANO architecture

[0100] deploys the network node(s) in the form of a Virtual Network Function (VNF) and Cloud-native / Container Network Function (CNF). The system as provided by the present disclosure may comprise one or more components of the MANO architecture

[0100] , The MANO architecture

[0100] may be used to auto-instantiate the VNFs into the corresponding environment of the present disclosure so that it could help in onboarding other vendor(s) CNFs and VNFs to the platform. As used herein, VNFs may refer to software applications that deliver network functions associated with entities such as load balancers, firewalls, and routers. VNFs may deployed such as virtual machine and used by an enterprise or network service provider. Further, CNFs may be deployed within containers in a cloud environment for implementing such as applications, functions and microservices architecture.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, the MANO architecture

[0100] comprises a user interface layer

[0102] , a network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined network (SDN) design function module

[0104] , a platform foundation services module

[0106] , a Platform Schedulers & Cron Jobs module

[0108] and a platform resource adapters and utilities module

[0112] , All the components are assumed to be connected to each other in a manner as obvious to the person skilled in the art of implementing features of the present disclosure. NFV may deploy separate communication services from dedicated hardware, such as firewalls and routers. NFV provides use of virtual machines in place of physical network appliances. SDN facilitates software-based controllers or application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with deployed hardware infrastructureand direct traffic on a network. SDN may allow automated network control functions, which makes it possible for the network to respond quickly to dynamic workloads.

[0049] The NFV and SDN design function module

[0104] comprises a VNF lifecycle manager (compute)

[1042] , a VNF catalog

[1044] , a network services catalog

[1046] , a network slicing and service chaining manager

[1048] , a physical and virtual inventory manager

[1050] and a CNF lifecycle manager

[1052] , The VNF lifecycle manager (compute)

[1042] may be responsible for deciding on which server of the communication network, the microservice will be instantiated. The VNF lifecycle manager (compute)

[1042] may manage the overall flow of incoming / outgoing requests during interaction with the user. The VNF lifecycle manager (compute)

[1042] may be responsible for determining which sequence to be followed for executing the process. For e.g., in an AMF network function of the communication network (such as a 5G network), a sequence for execution of processes Pl and P2 etc. The VNF catalog

[1044] is configured to store the metadata associated with a plurality of VNFs. The network services catalog

[1046] stores the information on the services that need to be run. The network slicing and service chaining manager

[1048] manages the slicing (an ordered and connected sequence of network service / network functions (NFs)) that must be applied to a specific networked data packet. The physical and virtual inventory manager

[1050] stores the logical and physical inventory of the VNFs. Just like the VNF lifecycle manager (compute)

[1042] , the CNF lifecycle manager

[1052] may be used for the CNFs lifecycle management.

[0050] The platform foundation services module

[0106] comprises a microservices elastic load balancer

[1062] , an identity & access manager

[1064] , a command line interface (CLI)

[1066] , a central logging manager

[1068] , and an event routing manager

[1070] , The microservices elastic load balancer

[1062] may be used for maintaining the load balancing of the request for the services. The identity & access manager

[1064] may be used for logging purposes. The command line interface (CLI)

[1066] may be used to provide commands to execute certain processes which require changes during the run time. The central logging manager

[1068] may be responsible for keeping the logs of every service. These logs are generated by the MANO platform

[0100] , These logs are used for debugging purposes. The event routing manager

[1070] may be responsible for routing the events i.e., the application programming interface (API) hits to the corresponding services.

[0051] The platforms core services module

[0108] comprises an NFV infrastructure monitoring manager

[1082] , an assure manager

[1084] , a performance manager

[1086] , a policy execution engine

[1088] , a capacity monitoring manager

[1090] , a release management (mgmt.) repository

[1092] , a configuration manager & GCT

[1094] , an NFV platform decision analytics

[1096] , a platform NoSQL DB

[1098] ; a platform schedulers and cron jobs

[1100] , a VNF backup & upgrade manager

[1102] , a microservice auditor

[1104] , and a platform operations, administration and maintenance manager

[1106] , The NFV infrastructure monitoring manager

[1082] monitors the infrastructure part of the NFs. For e.g., any metrics such as CPU utilization by the VNF. The assure manager

[1084] may be responsible for supervising the alarms the vendor may be generating. The performance manager

[1086] may be responsible for managing the performance counters. The policy execution engine (PEGN)

[1088] may be responsible for managing all of the policies. The policies may be associated with such as, but not limited to, deploying new / existing network functions node based on traffic loads, dynamic load balancing, executing tasks at scheduled time by network administrator. The capacity monitoring manager (CMM)

[1090] may be responsible for sending the request to the PEGN

[1088] , The CMM

[1090] may be responsible to deploy effective network services and ensure optimum performance by providing resources to support network service requirements. The release management (mgmt.) repository (RMR)

[1092] may be responsible for managing the releases and the images of all of the vendor's network nodes. The configuration manager & (GCT)

[1094] manages the configuration and GCT of all the vendors. The NFV platform decision analytics (NPDA)

[1096] helps in deciding the priority of using the network resources. It may be further noted that the policy execution engine (PEGN)

[1088] , the configuration manager & GCT

[1094] , and the NPDA

[1096] work together. The platform NoSQL DB

[1098] may be a database for storing all the inventory (both physical and logical) as well as the metadata of the VNFs and CNF. The platform schedulers and cron jobs

[1100] schedule the tasks such as but not limited to triggering an event, traversing the network graph etc. The VNF backup & upgrade manager

[1102] takes backup of the images, and binaries of the VNFs and the CNFs and produces those backups on demand in case of server failure. The microservice auditor

[1104] audits the microservices. E.g., in a hypothetical case, instances not being instantiated by the MANO architecture

[0100] may be using the network resources. In such cases, the microservice auditor

[1104] audits and informs the same so that resources can be released for services running in the MANO architecture

[0100] , The audit assures that the services only run on the MANO platform

[0100] , The platform operations, administration, and maintenance manager

[1106] may be used for newer instances (e.g., instances of VNF or CNF) that are spawning.

[0052] The platform resource adapters and utilities module

[0112] further comprises a platform external API adaptor and gateway

[1122] ; a generic decoder and indexer (XML, CSV, JSON)

[1124] ; a docker service adaptor

[1126] ; an Open Stack adapter

[1128] ; and a NFV gateway

[1130] , The platform's external API adaptor and gateway

[1122] may be responsible for handling the external services (to the MANO platform

[0100] ) that require the network resources. The generic decoder and indexer (XML, CSV, JSON)

[1124] gets directly the data of the vendor system in the XML, CSV, and JSON format. The docker service adaptor

[1126] may be the interface provided between the telecom cloud and the MANO architecture

[0100] for communication. The DSA

[1126] may deploy and manage Container Network Functions (CNFs) and their components (CNFCs) across Docker nodes. It offers REST endpoints for key operations, including uploading container images to a Docker registry, terminating CNFC instances, and creating Docker volumes and networks. CNFs, which are network functions packaged as containers, may consist of multiple CNFCs. The DSA

[1126] facilitates the deployment, configuration, and management of these components by interacting with Docker's API, ensuring proper setup and scalability within a containerized environment. This approach provides a modular and flexible framework for handling network functions in a virtualized network setup. The OpenStack adapter

[1128] may be used to connect with the virtual machines (VMs) associated with components, such as VNF. The NFV gateway

[1130] may be responsible for providing the path to each service going to / incoming from the MANO architecture

[0100] ,

[0053] Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary block diagram of a computing device

[0200] (also referred to herein as a computer system

[0200] ) upon which the features of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance with exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, is shown. In an implementation, the computing device

[0200] may also implement a method for monitoring resource usage by network node components utilizing the system. In another implementation, the computing device

[0200] itself implements the method for monitoring resource usage by network node components using one or more units configured within the computing device

[0200] , wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.

[0054] The computing device

[0200] may include a bus

[0202] or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor

[0204] coupled with the bus

[0202] for processing information. The hardware processor

[0204] may be, for example, a general-purpose microprocessor. The computing device

[0200] may also include a main memory

[0206] , such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus

[0202] forstoring information and instructions to be executed by the processor

[0204] , The main memory

[0206] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of the instructions to be executed by the processor

[0204] , Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor

[0204] , render the computing device

[0200] into a special-purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions. The computing device

[0200] further includes a read only memory (ROM)

[0208] or other static storage device coupled to the bus

[0202] for storing static information and instructions for the processor

[0204] ,

[0055] A storage device

[0210] , such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus

[0202] for storing information and instructions. The computing device

[0200] may be coupled via the bus

[0202] to a display

[0212] , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), Liquid crystal Display (LCD), Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, Organic LED (OLED) display, etc. for displaying information to a computer user. An input device

[0214] , including alphanumeric and other keys, touch screen input means, etc. may be coupled to the bus

[0202] for communicating information and command selections to the processor

[0204] , Another type of user input device may be a cursor controller

[0216] , such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor

[0204] , and for controlling cursor movement on the display

[0212] , The input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow the device to specify positions in a plane.

[0056] The computing device

[0200] may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware, and / or program logic which in combination with the computing device

[0200] causes or programs the computing device

[0200] to be a special-purpose machine. According to one implementation, the techniques herein are performed by the computing device

[0200] in response to the processor

[0204] executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory

[0206] , Such instructions may be read into the main memory

[0206] from another storage medium, such as the storage device

[0210] , Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory

[0206] causes the processor

[0204] to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative implementations of the present disclosure, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.

[0057] The computing device

[0200] also may include a communication interface

[0218] coupled to the bus

[0202] , The communication interface

[0218] provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link

[0220] that is connected to a local network

[0222] , For example, the communication interface

[0218] may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the communication interface

[0218] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface

[0218] sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

[0058] The computing device

[0200] can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link

[0220] and the communication interface

[0218] , In the Internet example, a server

[0230] might transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet

[0228] , the ISP

[0226] , the local network

[0222] , the host

[0224] and the communication interface

[0218] , The received code may be executed by the processor

[0204] as it is received, and / or stored in the storage device

[0210] , or other non-volatile storage for later execution.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary block diagram of a system

[0300] for monitoring resource usage by network node components is shown, in accordance with the exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. The system

[0300] comprises at least one auditor unit (AU) [300a], The auditor unit (AU) [300a] further comprises at least one retrieving unit

[0302] , at least one transceiver unit

[0304] , at least one extraction unit

[0306] , at least one comparator unit

[0308] , at least one allocation unit

[0310] , at least one Inventory Management Unit (IMU)

[0314] and at least one adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] , Also, all of the components / units of the system

[0300] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. Also, in FIG. 3 only a few units are shown, however, the system

[0300] may comprise multiple such units or the system

[0300] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure. In an implementation, the system

[0300] may reside in a server or a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system

[0300] may reside partly in the server / network entity.

[0060] The system

[0300] is configured for monitoring resource usage by network node components, with the help of the interconnection between the components / units of the system

[0300] ,

[0061] In an exemplary implementation, the network node component may refer to virtual network function component (VNFC). VNFC refers to the modular building blocks of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs). In another exemplary implementation, the network node component may refer to containerized network function component (CNFC).

[0062] The system

[0300] comprises an auditor unit (AU) [300a], The auditor unit (AU) [300a] further comprises a retrieving unit

[0302] , The retrieving unit

[0302] is configured to retrieve, from an inventory management unit (IMU)

[0314] , a first list of resources. The first list of resources may comprise information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs). The first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU

[0314] , In an implementation, the inventory management unit (IMU)

[0314] may be a physical and virtual inventory manager (PVIM)

[1050] , The list of resources may comprise information related to one or more of a physical memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a central processing unit (CPU).

[0063] The system

[0300] further comprises a transceiver unit

[0304] connected at least with the retrieving unit

[0302] , The transceiver unit

[0304] is configured to transmit to an adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] , the first list of resources. After receiving from the retrieving unit

[0302] , the transceiver unit

[0304] is configured to transmit the retrieved first list of resources, such as physical memory, random access memory (RAM), and central processing unit (CPU) to the adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] , In an implementation, the adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] may be an Open stack Adaptor

[1128] ,

[0064] The system

[0300] further comprises an extraction unit

[0306] connected at least with the transceiver unit

[0304] , The extraction unit

[0306] is configured to fetch, from the ADU

[0312] , a second list of resources. The second list of resources may comprise information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time. The second list of resources is calculated by the ADU

[0312] , The ADU

[0312] is configured to store the calculated second list of resources in a connected database. In an exemplary implementation, the calculated second list of resources may associate with physical memory, random access memory (RAM), and central processing unit (CPU).

[0065] In an implementation, the first list of resources may indicate the resources that were preallocated for the one or more VNFCs. The second list of resources may indicate the resources that are consumed by the one or more VNFCs in real-time.

[0066] In an exemplary implementation, the transmitting the set of details of the one or more VNFCs, the transceiver unit

[0304] is further configured to send, to the ADU

[0312] , a query message for receiving the list of resources utilized, in real-time, by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs. In an implementation, the query message may be triggered by a network administrator or an authorized person. In another implementation, the query message may be triggered periodically at configured time period for selected one or more VNFCs. As used herein, the query message is also referred to as a request, and may be sent as an application programming interface (API) call, to receive list of resources utilized, in real-time.

[0067] The system

[0300] further comprises a comparator unit

[0308] connected at least with the extraction unit

[0306] , After receiving the calculated second list of resources from the extraction unit

[0306] and first set of resources from the transceiver unit

[0304] , the comparator unit

[0308] is configured to compare the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs. In an implementation, the comparison may represent mismatching of the first list of resources and the second list of resources.

[0068] After receiving the comparison from the comparator unit

[0308] , the transceiver unit

[0304] of the system is further configured to transmit to the IMU

[0314] , a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison for updating the database based on the final list of resources. The final list of resources may represent overused resources or underused resources in real-time. After updating the database, IMU

[0314] may sync with the allotted resources and resources used by the one or more VNFCs.

[0069] In an implementation, the system

[0300] is configured to monitor the resource used by VNFCs running on server via an interface between auditor unit (AU) [300a] (e.g., Microservice Auditor (MAUD)

[1104] ) and adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] (e.g., OSA

[1128] ), such as AU OS interface. The AU [300a] retrieves details of multiple VNFCs from a IMU

[0314] (e.g., PVIM

[1050] ) and AU [300a] transmits details to ADU

[0312] via AU OS interface. The OS fetches the resource utilized by each VNFCs in a database and the MAUD retrieves the VNFC instance list for each node from OS via AU OS interface. The AU OS interface ensures fault tolerance for any event failure and works in a high availability mode. If one instance of AU [300a] goes down during request processing, then next available instance may take care of the request. The AU [300a] monitors the accurate resource usage details by accessing the servers via AU OS interface.

[0070] The system

[0300] further comprises an allocation unit

[0310] , The allocation unit

[0310] is configured to allocate a task to a next available instance in an event of failure of a current available instance processing the task. For example, if one VNFC goes down associated with executing a service request in the network, the next available VNFC may be allocated to execute the task (e.g., routing packets, processing network flow request) for processing the service request. The allocation unit

[0310] is further configured to allocate resources for one or more tasks based on an asynchronous event-based implementation technique. The various network nodes of the network may execute various tasks in parallel, and one component of the system, for executing a second task, may not wait for another component to execute a first task. The allocation unit

[0310] is configured to allocate the resources asynchronously so that other instances may get notified and may execute the one or more task accordingly.

[0071] Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that the functionality described for the various components / units can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0072] Referring to FIG. 4 an exemplary method flow diagram

[0400] , for monitoring resource usage by network node components, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure is shown. In an implementation, the method

[0400] is performed by the system

[0300] , As shown in FIG. 4, the method

[0400] starts at step

[0402] ,

[0073] At step

[0404] , the method

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises retrieving, by a retrieving unit

[0302] at an auditor unit (AU) [300a], from an inventory management unit (IMU)

[0314] , a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU

[0314] , In an implementation, the inventory management unit (IMU)

[0314] may be a physical and virtual inventory manager (PVIM)

[1050] , The list of resources may comprise information related to one or more of a physical memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a central processing unit (CPU).

[0074] Next, at step

[0406] , the method

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises transmitting, by a transceiver unit

[0304] at the auditor unit (AU) [300a], to an adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] , the first list of resources. After receiving from the retrieving unit

[0302] , the transceiver unit

[0304] may transmit the retrieved first list of resources, such as physical memory, random access memory (RAM), and central processing unit (CPU) to the adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] , In an implementation, the adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] may be an Open stack Adaptor

[1128] ,

[0075] Next, at step

[0408] , the method

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises fetching, by an extraction unit

[0306] at the auditor unit (AU) [300a], from the ADU

[0312] , a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU

[0312] , The ADU

[0312] may store the calculated second list of resources in a connected database. In an exemplary implementation, the calculated second list of resources may associate with physical memory, random access memory (RAM), and central processing unit (CPU).

[0076] In an implementation, the first list of resources may be pre allocated for the one or more VNFCs. The second list of resources may be consumed by the one or more VNFCs in real-time.

[0077] In an exemplary implementation, the transmitting the set of details of the one or more VNFCs, the transceiver unit

[0304] may further send, to the ADU

[0312] , a query message for receiving the list of resources utilized, in real-time, by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs. In an implementation, the query message may be triggered by a network administrator or an authorized person. In another implementation, the query message may be triggered periodically at configured time period for selected one or more VNFCs. As used herein, the query message is also referred to as a request, and may be sent as an application programming interface (API) call, to receive list of resources utilized, in real-time.

[0078] Next, at step

[0410] , the method

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises comparing, by a comparator unit

[0308] at the auditor unit (AU)[300a], the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs. After receiving the calculated second list of resources from the extraction unit

[0306] and first set of resources from the transceiver unit

[0304] , the comparator unit

[0308] may compare the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs. In an implementation,the comparison may represent mismatching of the first list of resources and the second list of resources.

[0079] Next, at step

[0412] , the method

[0400] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit

[0304] at the auditor unit (AU) [300a] to the IMU

[0314] , a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources. After receiving the comparison from the comparator unit

[0308] , the transceiver unit

[0304] of the system may transmit to the IMU

[0314] , the final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison for updating the database based on the final list of resources. The final list of resources may represent overused resources or underused resources in real-time. After updating the database, IMU

[0314] may sync with the allotted resources and resources used by the one or more VNFCs.

[0080] The method

[0400] further implemented by an allocation unit

[0310] of the system

[0300] may allocate a task to a next available instance in an event of failure of a current available instance processing the task. For example, if one VNFC goes down associated with executing a service request in the network, the next available VNFC may be allocated to execute the task (e.g., routing packets, processing network flow request) for processing the service request. The allocation unit

[0310] may further allocate resources for one or more tasks based on an asynchronous event-based implementation technique. The various network nodes of the network may execute various tasks in parallel, and one component of the system, for executing a second task, may not wait for another component to execute a first task. The allocation unit

[0310] may allocate the resources asynchronously so that other instances may get notified and may execute the one or more task accordingly.

[0081] Thereafter, the method

[0400] terminates at step

[0414] ,

[0082] Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary process flow

[0500] diagram for monitoring resource usage by network node components, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure, is shown. In an exemplary implementation, the process flow

[0500] indicates the process for monitoring via AU OS interface the accurate resource usage details by accessing the servers, in accordance with exemplary implementations of the present disclosure. Further the process flow

[0500] may be implemented with system

[0100] as depicted in FIG. 1 and system

[0300] as depicted in FIG. 3. In a non-limiting implementation of the present solution in other words, the process flow

[0500] may be configured to perform the method

[0200] as depicted in FIG. 4 via at the one or more components as depicted in FIG. 3 of the system

[0300] as follows:• After fetching the VNFC details from IMU

[0314] (e.g., PVIM

[1050] ), the AU [300a] (e.g., MAUD

[1104] ) sends the details to ADU

[0312] (e.g., OSA

[1128] ).• ADU

[0312] then fetches the resource details and sends the list back to AU [300a] for each node.• This process takes place in asynchronous event-based implementation.• AU [330a] also fetches the VNFC instance list for each node from ADU

[0312] via AU_OS interface.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 6, an exemplary system architecture

[0600] diagram for monitoring resource usage by network node components, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, is shown. As shown in FIG. 6, system

[0600] comprises a Platform Schedulers & Cron Jobs (PSC)

[1100] , a Microservice Auditor (MAUD)

[1104] , a Physical & Virtual Inventory Manager (PVIM)

[1050] , Open Stack Adapter (OSA)

[1128] and a database

[0602] ,

[0084] MAUD

[1104] may receive a sync up request from a PSC

[1100] or a command line interface (CLI) for one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs) resource usages. Next, the MAUD

[1104] may retrieve from the PVIM

[1050] a set of details for one or more VNFCs. Next, the MAUD

[1104] may transmit via an AU_OS interface to the OSA

[1128] the set of details for the one or more VNFCs. Next, the MAUD

[1104] may receive the AU_OS interface from the OSA

[1129] a list of resources utilized by each of the VNFCs based on the set of details for the one or more VNCFs. In an embodiment of the present solution, the OSA

[1128] may store the real time information of the resources utilized by each VNFC in the database

[0602] and retrieves the list based on the query of MAUD

[1104] , In another embodiment of the present solution, MAUD

[1104] may retrieve the VNFC instance list for each node from the OSA

[1128] via AU_OS interface. Next, the MAUD

[1104] may monitor via AU_OS interface the accurate resource usage details by accessing the servers.

[0085] The present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for monitoring resource usage by network node components, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a retrieving unit

[0302] of the system to retrieve, from an inventory management unit (IMU)

[0314] , a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU; a transceiver unit

[0304] connected atleast with the retrieving unit

[0302] , the transceiver unit

[0304] of the system to transmit, to an adaptor unit (ADU)

[0312] , the first list of resources; an extraction unit

[0306] connected at least with the transceiver unit

[0304] , the extraction unit

[0306] of the system to fetch, from the ADU

[0312] , a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU

[0312] ; and a comparator unit

[0308] connected at least with the extraction unit, the comparator unit of the system to compare, the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs; the transceiver unit

[0304] further of the system to transmit, to the IMU

[0314] , a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.

[0086] As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically advanced solution for monitoring via AU OS interface the accurate resource usage details by accessing the servers. The present solution provides data of actual resources used by VNFCs running on servers of a site. The present solution fetches the VNFC’s number of instances list for a node.

[0087] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A method for monitoring resource usage by network node components, the method comprising: retrieving, by a retrieving unit [302] at an auditor unit (AU) [300a], from an inventory management unit (IMU) [314], a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU [314]; transmitting, by a transceiver unit [304] at the auditor unit (AU) [300a], to an adaptor unit (ADU) [312], the first list of resources; fetching, by an extraction unit [306] at the auditor unit (AU) [300a], from the ADU [312], a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in realtime, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU [312]; comparing, by a comparator unit [308] at the auditor unit (AU)[300a], the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs; and transmitting, by the transceiver unit [304] at the auditor unit (AU) [300a] to the IMU [314], a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: allocating, by an allocation unit [310], a task to a next available instance in an event of failure of a current available instance processing the task.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitting the first list of resources comprises: sending, by the transceiver unit [304] at the auditor unit (AU) [300a], a query message to the ADU [312] for receiving the list of resources utilized, in real-time, by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the list of resources comprises information related to one or more of a physical memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a central processing unit (CPU).

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises allocating, by an allocation unit (AU) [310], resources for one or more tasks based on an asynchronous event-based implementation technique.

6. A system for monitoring resource usage by network node components, the system comprising an auditor unit (AU) [300a], the auditor unit (AU) [300a] further comprising: a retrieving unit [302] configured to retrieve, from an inventory management unit (IMU) [314], a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU [314]; a transceiver unit [304] connected at least with the retrieving unit [302], the transceiver unit [304] configured to transmit, to an adaptor unit (ADU) [312], the first list of resources; an extraction unit [306] connected at least with the transceiver unit [304], the extraction unit [306] configured to fetch, from the ADU [312], a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU [312]; and a comparator unit [308] connected at least with the extraction unit [306], the comparator unit [308] configured to compare, the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs; the transceiver unit [304] further configured to transmit, to the IMU [314], a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the system further comprises an allocation unit [310] configured to allocate a task to a next available instance in an event of failure of a current available instance processing the task.

8. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein for the transmitting the set of details of the one or more VNFCs, the transceiver unit [304] is further configured to: send, to the ADU [312], a query message for receiving the list of resources utilized, in real-time, by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs.

9. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the list of resources comprises information related to one or more of a physical memory, a random access memory (RAM), and a central processing unit (CPU).

10. The system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the system further comprises an allocation unit [310] configured to allocate resources for one or more tasks based on an asynchronous event-based implementation technique.

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for monitoring resource usage by network node components, the instructions include executable code which, when executed by one or more units of a system, causes: a retrieving unit [302] of the system to retrieve, from an inventory management unit (IMU) [314], a first list of resources, wherein the first list of resources comprises information of resources allocated to one or more virtual network function components (VNFCs), and wherein the first list of resources is saved at a database associated with the IMU; a transceiver unit [304] connected at least with the retrieving unit [302], the transceiver unit [304] of the system to transmit, to an adaptor unit (ADU) [312], the first list of resources; an extraction unit [306] connected at least with the transceiver unit [304], the extraction unit [306] of the system to fetch, from the ADU [312], a second list of resources, wherein the second list of resources comprises information of resources used by each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs in real-time, and wherein the second list of resources is calculated by the ADU [312]; a comparator unit [308] connected at least with the extraction unit, the comparator unit of the system to compare, the first list of resources and the second list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs; and the transceiver unit [304] further of the system to transmit, to the IMU [314], a final list of resources for each VNFC among the one or more VNFCs based on the comparison, for updating the database based on the final list of resources.

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