Multi-Server NFV Cluster Orchestrating Packet Flows
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network architectures face bottlenecks in scalability, deployment costs, and operational efficiency due to the exponential increase in bandwidth demand from video and IoT applications, necessitating improved performance and chaining capabilities in network function virtualization (NFV) frameworks.
Innovation Solution
A cloud infrastructure with a first server architecture for high-throughput operations and a second server architecture for non-latency-sensitive operations, coupled via a tunnel connection, is orchestrated to jointly service packet flows, utilizing a resource abstraction and orchestration layer to manage resource allocation and deployment efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional hardware-based network architectures are used, then operational efficiency and processing speed are maintained, but scalability and deployment costs deteriorate due to exponential bandwidth demand from video and IoT applications
Solution Approach 1:
The network architecture is segmented into multiple server clusters, each handling specific network functions. This allows independent scaling of different function clusters to meet varying bandwidth demands from video and IoT applications without requiring complete system replacement, thus maintaining operational efficiency while improving scalability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal server clusters that can perform multiple network functions through virtualization. These multi-functional clusters can dynamically allocate resources to handle different types of traffic (video streaming, IoT data, etc.), providing both the operational efficiency of dedicated hardware and the scalability of software-defined functions.
2Speed
If more network resources are allocated to handle increased bandwidth demand, then processing speed and service capability are improved, but deployment costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple server clusters are merged into a coordinated network architecture that shares common control and management plane. This allows resource pooling and efficient allocation across clusters, improving processing speed for handling bandwidth-intensive applications while reducing overall system complexity through centralized management compared to fully distributed architectures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control layer that manages resource allocation and coordination between server clusters. This intermediary layer abstracts the complexity of managing multiple clusters, enabling improved processing speed through efficient resource orchestration while keeping system complexity manageable through a dedicated control mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If homogeneous server architectures are used, then system management and deployment are simplified, but adaptability to different network function requirements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different server clusters to have specialized architectures optimized for specific network functions (e.g., video processing clusters, IoT handling clusters). Each cluster's architecture is tailored to its specific function requirements while maintaining standardized interfaces for simplified overall system management and deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic resource allocation where server clusters can adapt their functionality based on real-time network demands. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain deployment simplicity through standardized cluster designs while achieving adaptability to different network function requirements through software-defined configuration and resource orchestration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a method and a network apparatus in a cloud infrastructure. The network apparatus includes a processor, and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory for storing computer instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to generate a resource abstraction layer relating a network cluster including a first server architecture with a first resource set and a second server architecture with a second resource set, to generate an orchestration layer configured to receive a packet flow request and, in response to the packet flow request, schedule virtual network resources based on the resource abstraction layer for servicing a packet flow, and to deploy the virtual network resources to receive and service the packet flow.