NFV Orchestration with Upper Entity for Optimal VM Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current VIMs based on OpenStack do not support optimum allocation of virtual machines, leading to potential misallocation during virtual machine generation in NFV environments, as they lack the ability to determine optimal allocation destinations.
Innovation Solution
A network function virtualization management and orchestration apparatus that includes a virtualized infrastructure manager (VIM) which collects resource information from the NFVI and determines optimal virtual machine allocation destinations, enabling the VIM to generate virtual machines at these designated locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If VIMs based on OpenStack are used for resource management, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because they cannot determine optimal virtual machine allocation destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an upper entity (NFV orchestrator or VNF manager) as an intermediary between the VIM and the virtual machine allocation process. This upper entity collects resource information from the VIM, determines optimal allocation destinations using this information, and then instructs the VIM to allocate virtual machines to these predetermined destinations. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain ease of operation with OpenStack-based VIMs while achieving precise optimal allocation through the upper entity's decision-making capability.
2Device complexity
If VIMs without native allocation destination determination functions are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates due to inability to optimally allocate virtual machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an upper entity as a mediator that compensates for the functional limitations of simplified VIMs. The upper entity performs the complex task of collecting resource information, analyzing it to determine optimal allocation destinations, and directing the VIM to allocate virtual machines accordingly. This allows the VIM itself to remain relatively simple while the system as a whole achieves high productivity through the upper entity's optimization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper entity performs preliminary actions by collecting resource information in advance and determining optimal allocation destinations before actual virtual machine allocation occurs. This preliminary analysis and determination process enables the VIM to execute allocation operations efficiently based on pre-determined instructions, thereby improving overall system productivity without increasing VIM complexity.
3Extent of automation
If automatic virtual machine allocation is implemented, then extent of automation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates without optimal destination determination capability
Solution Approach 1:
The upper entity serves as an intelligent mediator that automates the allocation process while maintaining high precision. It automatically collects resource information from the VIM, analyzes this information to determine optimal allocation destinations, and automatically instructs the VIM to allocate virtual machines to these destinations. This automated intermediary process ensures both high extent of automation and high allocation precision simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the upper entity continuously collects resource information from the VIM about the current state of virtualization infrastructure, uses this feedback to determine optimal allocation destinations, and adjusts allocation decisions accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that automated allocation maintains high precision by continuously adapting to the actual resource state.
Data Source
AI summary
A network function virtualization management and orchestration apparatus includes a VIM(s) and an upper entity(ies) of the VIM(s). The VIM(s) performs resource management and control of an NFVI(s) that provides an execution infrastructure(s) for a VNF(s) implemented and virtualized by software that operates on a virtual machine(s). The upper entity(ies) collects resource information about the NFVI(s) from the VIM(s) and determines a virtual machine allocation destination(s) based on the collected resource information about the NFVI(s). The VIM(s) generates a virtual machine(s) at the determined virtual machine allocation destination(s).