MEC Platform Selection via NFV-MANO Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods lack clarity on how to use Operations Support Systems (OSS) or Business Support Systems (BSS) to trigger the instantiation of Virtualized Network Functions (VNF) instances in Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) systems, particularly in Network Function Virtualization (NFV) environments, where MEC applications are managed by NFV-MANO components.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a method where platform manager nodes, orchestrator nodes, edge computation platform nodes, and virtualization managing nodes receive and transmit VNF instance information to select and configure Multi-access Edge Computing platforms, using APIs and configuration requests to instantiate VNF instances, ensuring compliance with deployment location constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NFV-MANO components manage MEC applications as virtualized network functions, then the system can leverage existing NFV orchestration capabilities, but it becomes unclear how to use OSS or BSS to trigger VNF instance instantiation in the MEC system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an NFV-MANO system as an intermediary layer between the MEC system and OSS/BSS. This mediator translates and adapts interface requirements, enabling OSS/BSS to trigger VNF instance instantiation in MEC systems without direct integration complexity. The NFV-MANO system handles the complexity of interfacing with OSS/BSS while providing simplified MEC application management capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If VNF instance information is transmitted through multiple nodes (orchestrator, platform manager, edge computation platform), then the system achieves distributed deployment flexibility, but the interface complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VNF instance information transmission process into distinct functional nodes: orchestrator node for high-level coordination, platform manager node for intermediate management, and edge computation platform node for execution. Each node handles specific tasks and forwards information to the next node, reducing the interface complexity at each individual node while maintaining overall deployment flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The orchestrator node performs preliminary actions by selecting the appropriate multi-access edge platform manager and preparing VNF instance information before transmission. This preliminary processing reduces the coordination overhead at downstream nodes, as the information is already structured and ready for their specific functions.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system selects MEP from candidate MEPs based on VNF instance information, then the deployment accuracy improves, but the selection process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial matching by evaluating VNF instance information against candidate MEPs to identify the most suitable match without exhaustively analyzing all possible parameters. This partial evaluation approach achieves sufficient deployment accuracy while reducing the time required for the selection process.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, systems and devices for receiving, by a platform manager node, virtualization network function, VNF, instance information from a wireless communication node; selecting, by the platform manager node, a multi-access edge computing platform, MEP from candidate MEPs according to the VNF instance information; and transmitting, by the platform manager node, a first configuration request comprising the VNF instance information to the selected MEP.