NFV Orchestrator Automates Managed Object Lifecycle

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Solution Overview

Problem

In network function virtualization (NFV) environments, existing technologies lack efficient automated methods for creating, modifying, and deleting managed objects, which are crucial for VNF lifecycle management, leading to manual and inefficient operations.

Innovation Solution

A network resource model is developed to support NFV lifecycle management, enabling automatic creation, modification, and deletion of managed objects through a network function virtualization management and orchestration (NFV-MANO) architecture, which includes a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) and virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM), facilitating VNF instantiation, scaling, and termination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual methods are used to create, modify, and delete managed objects in traditional PLMN networks, then operators can manage network entities, but the process is inefficient and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of managed object operationsVSAvoidmanual intervention requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-service operations where the NFV-MANO architecture automatically creates, modifies, and deletes managed objects based on VNF lifecycle events without requiring manual operator intervention. The orchestrator and virtualized infrastructure manager handle these operations autonomously through standardized interfaces and automation scripts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations are replaced with automated software-based processes. The patent substitutes human operators performing manual configuration tasks with automated system processes that use software agents, orchestration logic, and standardized management interfaces to create, modify, and delete managed objects programmatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated VNF lifecycle management is implemented, then operations efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the NFV-MANO architecture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of VNF lifecycle operationsVSAvoidNFV-MANO architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex NFV-MANO system is segmented into distinct functional components with specific responsibilities: the orchestrator handles high-level service management and lifecycle events, the virtualized infrastructure manager handles resource allocation and virtual machine management, and standardized management interfaces handle communication. This segmentation allows each component to be developed, deployed, and maintained independently, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universal standardized management interfaces and common automation mechanisms that serve multiple functions across different VNF types and lifecycle operations. The same orchestration framework and management interfaces handle instantiation, scaling, modification, and termination of VNFs, providing multi-functionality that reduces the need for separate specialized systems for each operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10673682B2Network resource model to support network function virtualization lifecycle management

Publication Date: 2020.06.02 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods create, modify, and delete managed objects utilized by VNF lifecycle management automatically are disclosed and claimed. Other examples are also disclosed and claimed.