Intent-Based CNF Management Through Automated Microservice Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing Cloud-Native Network Functions (CNFs) manually is inefficient and becomes problematic as the number of CNFs increases, limiting flexibility and service quality.
Innovation Solution
An intent-based management system that automates CNF management through a cognitive core interacting with analysis, resolution, and actuator modules to automatically adjust system configurations based on operator-defined intents, using microservices deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual management of CNFs is used, then service providers can control CNF deployments, but management efficiency decreases and complexity increases as the number of CNFs increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management system as an intermediary between service providers and CNFs. This system automatically handles CNF deployments by receiving provider intents, determining required microservices, and orchestrating their deployment without manual intervention, thereby increasing automation while managing complexity through centralized coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The management system enables self-service by allowing service providers to simply specify their CNF needs as intents without needing to understand or manually configure the underlying complex CNF infrastructure. The system autonomously translates these high-level intents into concrete microservice deployments, making the management process simpler despite the complexity of what it manages
2Productivity
If manual configuration of CNF system settings is performed, then detailed control is achieved, but time consumption and operational efficiency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The management system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining templates and configurations for common CNF scenarios. When a service provider submits an intent, the system can quickly match it to pre-prepared configurations and deploy the required microservices without time-consuming manual configuration, significantly improving deployment efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with automated software-based intent processing. Instead of manually configuring system settings, service providers simply express their needs as intents, and the system automatically translates and executes the configuration through software orchestration, eliminating time-consuming manual operations
3Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary hardware is used for network functions, then hardware performance is optimized, but flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by deploying CNFs as software microservices that can run on generic hardware platforms. Instead of requiring specialized proprietary hardware for each network function, the same generic infrastructure can support multiple different CNFs through software configuration, significantly increasing flexibility and adaptability while simplifying hardware requirements
Data Source
AI summary
A method for configuring a system is provided. The method comprises a first entity obtaining function information identifying a Cloud-Native Network Function, CNF, to be provided by the system and using the obtained function information, the first entity identifying the CNF to be provided by the system. The method further comprises the first entity transmitting to a second entity a request for deployment information, wherein the deployment information is about a deployment of one or more microservices for providing the identified CNF. The method further comprises the first entity receiving from the second entity the requested deployment information and using the deployment information, deploying in the system said one or more microservices for providing the CNF.