NFV Integration VNF Orchestration Template
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity and cost of managing and deploying proprietary hardware appliances for network functions in telecommunications networks, coupled with the short hardware lifecycle, lead to inefficiencies and constraints on innovation due to the need for frequent procurement, design, and integration of new hardware.
Innovation Solution
Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) transforms physical network functions into Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) by running software on standardized hardware, such as blade servers, allowing for the sharing of resources and reducing the dependency on specific hardware, enabling faster adaptation to changing network requirements and services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proprietary hardware appliances are used for network functions, then network service reliability is maintained, but device complexity and management cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal hardware platform that can host multiple different network functions through virtualization. Instead of dedicated hardware for each network function, a single standardized hardware appliance can run multiple virtual network functions (VNFs) simultaneously, reducing overall device complexity and management overhead while maintaining service reliability through software isolation and resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of network functions as software instances that can be deployed on standardized hardware. These virtual network function copies replace physical hardware appliances, allowing multiple instances to be managed through a unified interface while maintaining the functional reliability of each individual network service.
2Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary hardware appliances are deployed for each network function, then service functionality is ensured, but procurement and deployment time increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single standardized hardware platform is designed to universally support multiple network functions through virtualization. This eliminates the need to procure separate hardware appliances for each network function, significantly reducing procurement time. The hardware can be rapidly provisioned with different software images to deliver various network services as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures standardized hardware appliances with virtualization capabilities and pre-approved software images for various network functions. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid deployment when new network services are needed, as the hardware is already ready to host multiple VNFs without requiring custom procurement or integration processes.
3Productivity
If standardized hardware with virtualization is used, then resource sharing and cost efficiency improve, but system complexity in managing virtual instances increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtualization management layer that acts as an intermediary between the standardized hardware and the virtual network functions. This management layer provides automated tools for provisioning, monitoring, and managing multiple VNFs on the hardware platform, reducing the operational complexity of resource sharing while maximizing productivity through efficient utilization of physical resources.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples disclosed herein include a method of managing virtual network functions of a network functions virtualization (NFV) network environment includes generating an integration virtual network function (integration VNF) to allow a user to perform tasks related to integration and deployment of a first virtual network function (first VNF), and generating an orchestration template for a first virtual network function (first VNF) with an NFV orchestrator of the NFV environment. The method further includes reviewing the orchestration template with the integration VNF, and orchestrating deployment of the first VNF with a virtual infrastructure manager (VIM) of the NFV environment based on the orchestration template.