Concurrent VNF Scale-Out via Joint Condition Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In NFV architecture environments, scale-out processing is inadequate, leading to increased failure propagation and cascading failures when local service capabilities are insufficient, causing the entire system to fail.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for concurrent scale-out of virtualized network functions (VNFs) are introduced, where the Management and Orchestration (MANO) determines if a first VNF and its downstream VNFs satisfy a joint scale-out condition based on response delays and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), allowing simultaneous scaling to improve user experience and system availability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If scale-out processing is not performed when local failure occurs, then system complexity is reduced, but failure propagation and cascading failures increase causing entire system failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by establishing a monitoring mechanism that proactively detects service function chain performance degradation before complete system failure occurs. The MANO detects delays in service function chains and triggers scale-out operations in advance, preventing cascading failures rather than reacting after failures propagate throughout the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a closed-loop monitoring and control system. The MANO continuously monitors service function chain performance, detects delays, and automatically triggers scale-out operations. This feedback mechanism ensures that scale-out processing is initiated based on actual system conditions, improving reliability while avoiding unnecessary complexity from constant scale-out operations.
2Loss of time
If concurrent scale-out of multiple VNFs is implemented, then response time of service function chain is reduced, but coordination complexity between VNFs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by consolidating the scale-out coordination function into a single centralized MANO entity. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer coordination between multiple VNFs, the MANO receives scale-out requests, determines joint scale-out conditions for upstream and downstream VNFs, and coordinates their concurrent activation. This reduces coordination complexity while enabling fast concurrent scale-out of multiple VNFs to minimize service function chain response time.
3Reliability
If scale-out is performed based on single VNF performance, then individual VNF performance is improved, but overall service function chain availability is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the MANO to perform multiple functions: monitoring individual VNF performance, detecting service function chain delays, determining joint scale-out conditions for upstream and downstream VNFs, and coordinating concurrent scale-out operations. This multi-functional approach optimizes overall service function chain availability rather than just individual VNF performance, while the centralized MANO manages the complexity of joint condition determination.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a virtualized network function scale-out method and apparatus, and a system. The method includes: determining, by a management and orchestration MANO when a delay of a response to a request of a user accessing a first virtualized network function VNF exceeds a tolerance time of the user and a second VNF cannot satisfy a requirement of a user accessing the second VNF, that the first VNF and the second VNF satisfy a joint scale-out condition, where the second VNF is a downstream VNF of the first VNF; and scaling out, by the MANO, the first VNF and the second VNF concurrently. Based on the method, the apparatus, and the system provided in embodiments of this application, a risk that an entire system fails when the system is faulty can be reduced.