NFV Interconnection Gateway Abstraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network gateway and hub devices do not provide interconnection between or among network functions virtualization (NFV) entities in different networks, nor do they offer access to virtualized network functions (VNFs) across these connections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing NFV interconnection gateways and hubs that abstract network connection information from multiple NFV entities across different networks to establish links and provide access to VNFs, enabling one-to-one or many-to-many interconnections between NFV entities, even if they lack local execution capacity or capability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional network gateway and hub devices are used for interconnection between networks, then conventional data traffic interconnection is enabled, but interconnection between NFV entities and access to VNFs across different networks cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway device is enhanced with multi-functionality to perform both conventional data traffic routing and NFV entity interconnection. The system integrates VNF access capabilities, service chaining functionality, and NFV management operations within a single gateway platform, enabling it to serve multiple purposes: traditional networking plus NFV orchestration plus cross-network VNF access.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device acts as an intermediary between different network domains and NFV entities. It mediates communications between NFV entities in different networks, providing abstraction and translation layers that enable interoperability. The gateway serves as a mediator that connects conventional networks with NFV-enabled networks, facilitating seamless interaction between diverse network architectures.
2Productivity
If NFV interconnection gateways abstract network connection information to establish links between NFV entities, then scalable interconnections are enabled, but the complexity of managing and abstracting connection information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring connection templates, service chains, and abstraction policies before actual interconnection is needed. Connection information is abstracted and standardized in advance, allowing rapid deployment of new interconnections without complex real-time configuration. This enables scalable NFV entity interconnection through reuse of pre-established connection models.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway transforms connection information by changing parameters from concrete network identifiers to abstracted connection descriptors. It converts specific IP addresses, ports, and routing parameters into high-level abstraction layers that represent logical connections. This parameter transformation enables efficient connection establishment while hiding implementation details, improving productivity without proportionally increasing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access to VNFs is provided across multiple networks through NFV interconnection, then network functionality and scalability are enhanced, but security risks and network stability challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments network connections and VNF access into isolated virtual channels and dedicated connection contexts. Each NFV entity interaction is confined to its own virtual domain, preventing propagation of failures or security breaches across the entire network. Connection information abstraction creates logical segmentation that maintains network stability while enabling versatile cross-network access.
Solution Approach 2:
Security measures and fault isolation mechanisms are implemented beforehand to cushion against potential failures and attacks. The system pre-configures security policies, authentication protocols, and isolation barriers that protect VNF access before it is compromised. This prior cushioning enables enhanced cross-network functionality while maintaining reliability through preemptive security hardening and fault containment.
Data Source
AI summary
Novel tools and techniques might provide for implementing interconnection gateway and/or hub functionalities between two or more network functions virtualization (“NFV”) entities that are located in different networks. In some embodiments, a NFV interconnection gateway (“NFVIG”) might receive a set of network interconnection information from each of two or more sets of NFV entities, each set of NFV entities being located within a network separate from the networks in which the other sets of NFV entities are located. The NFVIG might be located in one of these networks. The NFVIG might abstract each set of network interconnection information, and might establish one or more links between the two or more sets of NFV entities, based at least in part on the abstracted sets of network interconnection information. The NFVIG might provide access to one or more virtualized network functions (“VNFs”) via the one or more links.