NFV Orchestrator Charging Information Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no existing charging method for Network Function Virtualization (NFV) architecture, making it difficult to collect and jointly use charging information across different virtual network function instances provided by various vendors.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a charging system within the NFV architecture that reports charging information from the Virtual Network Function Manager (VNFM) and Virtualized Infrastructure Manager (VIM) to the NFV Orchestrator, which associates and sends this information to the charging system for accurate and comprehensive charging based on usage metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If charging information is collected from multiple VNF instances provided by various vendors, then charging accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to the need to integrate and associate information from different sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a charging information association mechanism that acts as an intermediary between multiple VNF instances and the charging system. The NFV orchestrator collects charging information from different VNF instances and associates them with corresponding network service instances, enabling accurate charging without requiring direct complex integration between all VNF vendors' systems. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing the association logic in the NFV orchestrator layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal charging information collection mechanism that can handle multiple VNF instances from different vendors through a standardized interface. The charging information association mechanism is designed to be vendor-agnostic and can universally collect, associate, and manage charging information from diverse sources, enabling multi-vendor environments to be charged accurately without increasing system complexity.
2Productivity
If charging information from VNFM and VIM is collected and associated, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but information collection and processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the NFV orchestrator proactively collect charging information from VNFM and VIM components before charging events occur. The system pre-associates charging information with network service instances and VNF instances, so that when charging is needed, the information is already prepared and linked, reducing real-time processing delays while maintaining efficient resource utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where charging information is continuously collected from VNFM and VIM, associated with relevant instances, and fed back to the charging system. This feedback loop enables real-time resource utilization monitoring and efficient charging decisions without excessive processing time, as the system maintains up-to-date charging information through structured feedback channels.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a charging method, including: receiving, by a network function virtualization orchestrator NFVO, a quota from a charging system; when a trigger event occurs, obtaining, by the NFVO, charging information from a virtual network function manager VNFM and charging information from a virtualized infrastructure manager VIM, where the trigger event includes an internal trigger event or an external trigger event, and the charging information from the VNFM includes usage information of the quota; and sending, by the NFVO, the charging information from the VNFM and the charging information from the VIM to the charging system. NFV architecture-based charging is implemented.