Network Function Resource Requests for Faster Virtual Scaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications systems face challenges in quickly responding to load fluctuations in network functions (NFs) due to slow response times from Operations and Management (OAM) entities in reallocating virtual resources, leading to performance issues and service denials in high-load conditions.
Innovation Solution
Network functions (NFs) are empowered to autonomously determine and request changes in virtual resources based on predefined conditions, bypassing the need for OAM intervention, allowing faster resource allocation and improving response times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If OAM entities are responsible for determining and reallocating virtual resources, then centralized control and management is maintained, but response time to load changes is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The network function is empowered to autonomously determine when virtual resource changes are needed and to directly request those changes from the virtualization management entity, eliminating the need for OAM intervention in the decision-making process. This self-service mechanism enables the NF to rapidly respond to load fluctuations by independently triggering resource reallocation when predefined conditions are met, thereby dramatically reducing response time while maintaining centralized virtualization management.
2Productivity
If OAM entities manage virtual resource allocation, then centralized authorization and control is ensured, but resource reallocation speed is insufficient during high-load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The network function autonomously monitors its own performance metrics and load conditions, and when predefined thresholds are exceeded, it automatically generates and sends resource change requests to the virtualization management entity. This eliminates the intermediate step of OAM involvement in the triggering process, enabling near-real-time resource reallocation that keeps pace with dynamic load conditions while maintaining system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtualization management entity serves as an intermediary that receives authorization configurations from OAM entities and relays them to the network function. This intermediary role allows OAM to maintain centralized authorization control and security policies without being directly involved in the fast-paced resource reallocation decisions, thereby decoupling the slow authorization process from the fast execution process.
3Reliability
If OAM determines when to change virtual resources, then centralized decision-making is maintained, but service denial occurs during high-load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The network function is pre-configured with authorization details, authentication information, and decision-making criteria by the OAM entity. When load conditions exceed predefined thresholds, the NF can immediately execute resource reallocation requests without waiting for OAM approval, as the authorization was preliminarily established. This preliminary action ensures service continuity during high-load conditions by enabling instant resource adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The network function independently monitors its own operational status and automatically triggers resource reallocation requests when service quality degrades due to high load. This self-service capability ensures that service continuity is maintained by rapidly responding to load changes without requiring centralized OAM intervention for each decision, thereby preventing service denials during critical high-load periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure relate to a network function (NF) that runs on virtual resources that are backed by physical resources on one or more computing devices. The NF receives configuration information from an operations and management entity that indicates to the NF how to request a change (e.g., increase or decrease) in virtual resources assigned to the NF. For example, the configuration information may include an address where the NF is to issue a command to change virtual resources assigned to the NF. The NF determines when one or more conditions for changing the assigned virtual resources are satisfied, and in response issues a command (e.g., to the address indicated in the configuration information) requesting a change in virtual resources assigned to the NF.