NFV Orchestrator Layered Framework for Multi-Domain Service Provision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current network function virtualization (NFV) systems face challenges in implementing phased evolution, multinational, cross-regional, and multi-vendor service provision due to the complexity of multi-domain environments, lacking effective solutions for single-service orchestration and management across administrative domains.

Innovation Solution

The NFV system incorporates a single-domain virtualized network function manager (VNFM), virtualized network function orchestrator (VNFO), and virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), along with a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) that includes a service orchestrator and cross-domain resource orchestrator, enabling resource management and orchestration across domains through a layered framework.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single service orchestration is used in current NFV systems, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot meet requirements for phased evolution and multi-domain service provision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to support phased evolution and multi-domain service provisionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the service orchestration function into multiple domain-specific orchestrators (DSO), each responsible for a specific administrative domain. This segmentation allows the system to support multi-domain service provision and phased evolution while maintaining manageable complexity at each domain level, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and system structure complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated hardware devices are deployed to introduce new network services, then service functionality is ensured, but space, energy consumption, and capital investment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenew network service introduction capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces dedicated hardware devices with virtualized network functions that run on general-purpose computing infrastructure. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized hardware while maintaining service functionality, thereby reducing energy consumption, space requirements, and capital investment, directly resolving the contradiction between service adaptability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If increasingly complex hardware devices are deployed, then network service functionality is enhanced, but the necessary skill for designing, integrating and operating the hardware becomes unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork service functionalityVSAvoidease of designing, integrating and operating hardware
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex hardware devices with software-based virtualized network functions that can be deployed and managed through standardized orchestration mechanisms. This substitution dramatically simplifies the design, integration, and operation processes, making the system easier to operate while maintaining enhanced network service functionality, thus resolving the contradiction between service functionality and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3364606B1Network function virtualization system and network service instantiation method
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 ZTE CORP
  • EP3364606B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3364606B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3364606B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Provided is a network function virtualization system. The system includes a single-domain virtualized network function manager, VNFM, a single-domain virtualized network function, VNF, entity, and a virtualized infrastructure manager, VIM; one or more network function virtualized single-domain orchestrators, NFV-DO, which are in one-to-one correspondence with single-domains. The NFV-DO includes a virtualized network function orchestrator, VNFO, which is configured to manage one or more of the following functions in the single-domain where the VNFO is located: a network service instance, a network service life cycle, VNFM instantiation, VNF instantiation and a VNF life cycle. The above solution can meet requirements for phased evolution implemented by a current NFV system and requirements for cross-border, cross-regional, multi-vendor service provision and multi-layer management.