Elastic Cloud Network Virtualization for Infrastructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network planning and installation for dedicated networks like LTE and EPC are time-consuming and costly, with a period of downtime before the network can handle loads, and existing solutions do not efficiently utilize cloud computing resources for network infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an elastic cloud network (ECN) that uses cloud computing techniques, virtual machines, and hypervisors to create scalable virtual networks, allowing for the virtualization and aggregation of network resources into unified pools, reducing operational and capital costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dedicated network resources and communications connections are installed for LTE or EPC networks, then network functionality and reliability are improved, but network planning time and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of network resources (virtual network functions, virtual communication connections) that run on cloud computing infrastructure. These virtual copies replicate the functionality of dedicated physical network resources without requiring physical installation, thereby maintaining network reliability while eliminating time-consuming planning and installation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of dedicated network hardware installation with a software-based virtualization system running on cloud infrastructure. This substitution eliminates the need for physical network planning, device installation, and configuration, directly resolving the time loss contradiction while maintaining network functionality through virtualized network functions.
2Productivity
If dedicated network resources are installed before network launch, then network readiness is improved, but installation cost and downtime period increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables network resources to be pre-provisioned and activated in the cloud computing environment before actual network deployment. Virtual network functions can be instantiated, configured, and tested in advance on cloud infrastructure, achieving network readiness without the traditional downtime associated with physical installation and commissioning.
Solution Approach 2:
Virtual copies of network resources are created and activated in the cloud environment prior to network launch. These virtual instances provide immediate network readiness and can be rapidly deployed to production environments without the downtime typically associated with physical network installation and configuration.
3Productivity
If cloud computing resources are utilized for network infrastructure, then deployment speed and cost efficiency are improved, but network virtualization complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces network virtualization management systems and orchestration platforms as intermediary layers between the cloud computing infrastructure and the network functions. These intermediaries abstract and manage the complexity of virtualizing network resources, enabling rapid deployment of virtual network functions while shielding users from the underlying virtualization complexity through standardized interfaces and automated management.
Data Source
AI summary
A device receives network infrastructure requirements from a user, and selects, based on the network infrastructure requirements, at least one of a virtual core network, a virtual network resource, and a virtual system from resources provided in a cloud computing environment. The device also enables use of the selected at least one of the virtual core network, the virtual network resource, and the virtual system by the user. The device receives, from the user, traffic destined for the selected at least one of the virtual core network, the virtual network resource, and the virtual system, and provides the traffic to the selected at least one of the virtual core network, the virtual network resource, and the virtual system.