Edge Network Virtual Device Lifecycle Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-access edge computing (MEC) networks often face resource insufficiencies due to high demand, leading to degraded performance and unnecessary resource utilization, with manual management of virtual network devices being inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A lifecycle management service that automatically manages the instantiation and termination of virtual network devices based on usage data and threshold values, optimizing resource allocation and reducing unnecessary resource usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual management of virtual network devices is used, then flexibility in management is maintained, but efficiency is reduced and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the virtual network device automatically monitors its own usage metrics, compares them against thresholds, and triggers instantiation or termination actions without human intervention. This eliminates manual management overhead while maintaining operational flexibility through configurable policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops by monitoring usage metrics of virtual network devices and automatically adjusting resource allocation based on threshold comparisons. This closed-loop control enables efficient automated management while preserving flexibility through programmable decision rules.
2Reliability
If virtual network devices are continuously instantiated to meet high demand, then service availability is improved, but resource wastage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the instantiation state of virtual network devices based on real-time usage metrics. Devices are instantiated when usage exceeds thresholds and terminated when usage falls below thresholds, creating a dynamic resource allocation system that balances availability with resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational state parameter of virtual network devices (instantiated vs. terminated) based on usage metric thresholds. This parameter-based control enables automatic scaling that maintains service availability during high demand while preventing resource wastage during low demand periods.
3Measurement precision
If usage metrics are continuously monitored and threshold comparisons are performed, then automated management accuracy is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary automated management service that handles the computational burden of continuous monitoring and threshold comparison. This intermediary layer processes usage metrics and makes instantiation/termination decisions, isolating the processing overhead from core network operations while maintaining precise usage tracking.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, a device, and a non-transitory storage medium are described in which a lifecycle management service is provided. A network device of an application service network may use the number of requests from end devices as a basis to determine whether to terminate a virtual network device. The network device may compare the number of requests to management information that includes a threshold number of requests value. The network device may also instantiate a virtual network device based on receipt of a domain name system request and radio network information.