NFV Service Chain Establishment via Pre-configured Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network function virtualization (NFV) systems, establishing an NFV network service chain is challenging due to the complexity of managing virtualized network functions (VNFs) and their connections, which requires efficient route and resource configuration across multiple VNFs.
Innovation Solution
A method is provided that includes a communications unit with a service chain rule obtaining unit, a service chain information obtaining unit, and a message sending unit to obtain and send route and resource configuration requests, determining the necessary VNFs and their configurations to establish a service chain by querying relevant information from NFVI resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual configuration of VNF connections and routes is performed, then service chain establishment can be achieved, but the complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service for service chain establishment. The network device automatically obtains service chain information from the service chain rule, determines the required VNFs and their connections, and configures routes and resources without manual intervention. This automation resolves the contradiction by making the system perform configuration tasks autonomously, reducing complexity while maintaining reliable service chain establishment.
Solution Approach 2:
The service chain rule is pre-configured with service chain information that describes the required VNFs and their connections. This preliminary action allows the network device to automatically retrieve and utilize this information when establishing service chains, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration processes while ensuring reliable service chain setup.
2Productivity
If automated service chain establishment is implemented, then configuration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The service chain rule acts as an intermediary that bridges the service requirement and the actual service chain establishment. It contains pre-defined service chain information that the network device can automatically retrieve and use. This intermediary mechanism enables automated, high-speed service chain establishment without requiring the system to become overly complex, as the rule serves as a structured intermediary layer.
Solution Approach 2:
Service chain information is prepared in advance within the service chain rule, including details about required VNFs and their connections. This preliminary preparation enables the network device to quickly establish service chains by simply retrieving and applying the pre-configured information, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive service chain information is collected from multiple sources, then accurate VNF configuration is achieved, but information processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Service chain information is pre-collected and organized within the service chain rule before actual service chain establishment. This preliminary action includes gathering details about required VNFs, their connections, and configuration parameters. When establishing a service chain, the network device simply retrieves this pre-organized information, achieving accurate VNF configuration without the time penalty of collecting information from multiple sources in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide a method, which can implement establishment of a network function virtualization (NFV) network service chain. The method includes obtaining, by a first communications unit, a service chain rule, where the service chain rule is used to indicate service processing that needs to be performed. The method also includes obtaining, according to the service chain rule, information about a service chain through which a service route passes, where the information about the service chain is used to indicate information about a virtualized network function (VNF) through which the service route passes, and the VNF is configured for the service processing; and sending a route and resource configuration request message, where the route and resource configuration request message carries the information about the service chain, to request to perform, according to the information about the service chain, route and resource configuration for the VNF included in the service chain.