Glider Layer Translation for Platform-Agnostic Network Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Migrating virtual network functions (VNFs) across different hardware platforms is challenging due to unique configuration parameters, protocols, and naming conventions, leading to labor-intensive redevelopment and costly validation, which often results in platform dependency and service unavailability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an interface layer, or glider layer (GL), to facilitate the instantiation of VNFs across multiple platforms by translating communication and messages using data obtained from a repository, allowing seamless operation and reducing the need for extensive modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VNFs are migrated across different hardware platforms without an interface layer, then platform-specific configuration and protocols must be directly implemented, but this leads to labor-intensive redevelopment, costly validation, and platform dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a glider layer as an intermediary component between the VNF and the hardware platform. This glider layer handles platform-specific configuration parameters, protocols, and naming conventions, allowing the VNF to remain platform-agnostic while the glider layer translates and adapts communications to match specific platform requirements. This resolves the contradiction by enabling platform versatility without requiring redevelopment of the VNF itself.
2Reliability
If VNFs are tightly coupled to a specific hardware platform, then configuration and operation become simpler on that platform, but this results in platform dependency and service unavailability during platform downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VNF system into distinct layers: the platform-agnostic VNF layer and the platform-specific glider layer. This segmentation allows the VNF to be decoupled from any single hardware platform, enabling it to be deployed across multiple platforms. The glider layer absorbs platform-specific dependencies, ensuring that platform downtime does not affect service availability as the VNF can be migrated to alternative platforms.
3Ease of manufacture
If extensive modifications are made to VNFs for each platform, then platform-specific requirements are met, but this increases migration costs and validation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The glider layer serves as an intermediary that handles all platform-specific customizations, allowing the VNF to remain unchanged across different platforms. This eliminates the need for extensive modifications to the VNF for each platform, significantly reducing migration time and validation complexity while still meeting platform-specific requirements through the glider layer's translation and adaptation capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, coupling a virtual network function (VNF) to a cloud computing platform, resulting in an instantiation of the VNF with respect to the cloud computing platform, obtaining, based on the coupling, data to operatively interface the VNF and the cloud computing platform, and translating a communication, a message, or a combination thereof, between the VNF and the cloud computing platform using the data. Other embodiments are disclosed.