NFV Orchestration Manager for Virtual Network Function Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Determining the most appropriate placement for virtual network functions (VNFs) in a software-defined network (SDN) environment is complex, hindering the widespread adoption of network function virtualization (NFV) and efficient network optimization.
Innovation Solution
An NFV orchestration manager that evaluates platform, hypervisor, and network characteristics to optimally deploy and manage VNFs, using factors like latency, throughput, scalability, and migration capabilities to select suitable hosts and configure service function chains.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If VNFs are deployed on commodity servers with virtual machines instead of dedicated appliances, then cost is reduced and location flexibility is improved, but determining the most appropriate placement becomes very complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an NFV orchestration manager as an intermediary component that mediates between VNF deployment requirements and host characteristics. This orchestrator evaluates platform, hypervisor, and network characteristics to automatically determine optimal VNF placement, thereby resolving the complexity of placement determination while maintaining location flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of host evaluation by introducing multiple characteristic dimensions (platform characteristics, hypervisor characteristics, network characteristics) with specific factors each. This structured parameter approach transforms the complex placement problem into a systematic evaluation process based on measurable host attributes
2Productivity
If manual or simple automation methods are used for VNF deployment, then implementation is simpler, but deployment efficiency and optimization are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing a comprehensive evaluation framework that assesses host characteristics before VNF deployment. The NFV orchestration manager proactively evaluates platform, hypervisor, and network characteristics in advance, preparing deployment recommendations that improve overall deployment efficiency while managing complexity through structured pre-analysis
3Reliability
If host characteristics are not considered in VNF deployment, then deployment process is simpler, but network performance optimization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by evaluating specific characteristics of each host (platform, hypervisor, network) rather than treating all hosts uniformly. Different factors are assigned to different quality dimensions (latency factors, throughput factors, scalability factors, migration factors), allowing the system to match VNF requirements with appropriate host characteristics for optimized network performance
Data Source
AI summary
A network function virtualization (NFV) orchestration manager utilizes characteristics of the particular host, such as the platform itself, the hypervisor and the network interface to determine virtual network function (VNF) deployment. Exemplary platform characteristics are latency, throughput, scalability and migration. Factors are developed for each characteristic to provide positive or negative values used in the determination so that each host receives values for each characteristic. Each VNF is associated with desirable characteristics. When a VNF is to be deployed, the NVF orchestration manager determines the host factors relevant to the VNF. After analyzing the hosts and comparing them to the VNF requirements, a host choice is determined and the VNF is deployed to that host, with a virtual machine (VM) being created if needed. In a similar manner, VNFs can be chosen for inclusion in a service function chain (SFC).