Dynamic Licensing Plugin Framework for NFV VNF Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying and operating cloud-based Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) platforms face challenges with traditional license key management due to virtualization, leading to administrative costs and difficulties in integrating third-party Virtual Network Functions (VNFs, as they have transient lifecycles and are not locked to physical hosts, necessitating a dynamic licensing solution for on-demand services.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic licensing method and plugin framework for NFV systems that generates license keys on-demand, validates them using public and private key pairs, and auto-configures third-party applications from different vendors, enabling execution and fraud detection within a cloud-based environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional license key management is used in virtualized NFV systems, then license validation can be performed, but administrative costs increase and integration of third-party VNFs becomes difficult due to transient lifecycles and lack of physical host locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic license key generation and validation that adapts to the transient nature of virtualized VNFs. Instead of static license keys tied to physical hosts, the system generates and validates licenses dynamically during runtime, allowing VNFs to be freely migrated and integrated across different physical hosts while maintaining proper licensing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal licensing framework that works across multiple vendors and third-party VNFs. The license key validation system is designed to be vendor-agnostic and can validate licenses for any VNF integrated into the NFV platform, enabling diverse third-party applications to be managed through a single unified licensing mechanism.
2Productivity
If license keys are made available for distributed cloud systems, then service fulfillment is enabled, but administrative costs increase due to the need for key availability management across global distributed infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service licensing where the system automatically generates, distributes, and validates license keys without requiring manual administrative intervention. The NFV platform autonomously manages license key availability across the distributed cloud infrastructure, reducing administrative overhead while maintaining efficient service fulfillment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary license key generation and validation setup during system initialization and VNF deployment phases. By pre-configuring licensing mechanisms and validating licenses before VNF execution, the system eliminates the need for ongoing administrative key management during runtime, reducing operational costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic license key generation is implemented, then on-demand service delivery is improved, but system complexity increases due to public key infrastructure and validation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary licensing component within the NFV platform that mediates between the public key infrastructure and the VNFs. This intermediary handles the complexity of key generation, encryption, and validation, presenting a simplified interface to VNFs while maintaining secure dynamic licensing through public key mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) method integrating third-party Virtual Network Functions (VNF) through a plugin framework includes operating, via one or more servers in an NFV cloud, the plugin framework with Application Programming Interfaces (API) to one or more third-party VNFs; providing a catalog of VNF services comprising the one or more third-party VNFs to an end user; and operating the one or more third-party VNFs with the end user via the NFV cloud, wherein the one or more third-party VNFs are from a different vendor than an operator of the NFV cloud.