Unified Query Tool for NFV Architecture Anomaly Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current testing tools for network function virtualization (NFV) architectures are inefficient in detecting anomalies and identifying root causes due to their inability to probe sub-functions concurrently and require separate interfaces for each virtual network function (VNF) or sub-function, leading to operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A unified interface and tracing tool that allows simultaneous probing and analysis of multiple VNFs and sub-functions, enabling concurrent testing and debugging across NFV architectures, with a unified query mechanism for processing single queries across all functional blocks or sub-functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate interfaces are used for each VNF or sub-function, then each function can be tested independently, but operational efficiency deteriorates and anomaly detection becomes slower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate testing interfaces into a single unified interface that can simultaneously probe and analyze multiple VNFs and sub-functions. This unified interface consolidates what were previously separate testing tools into one integrated system, enabling concurrent testing across the entire NFV architecture without requiring operators to switch between multiple interfaces, thereby improving operational efficiency while maintaining comprehensive anomaly detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The unified interface is designed to perform multiple testing functions across different VNFs and sub-functions simultaneously. It provides a universal probing mechanism that can interact with various network functions through a single interface, eliminating the need for function-specific interfaces and significantly improving operational efficiency while maintaining the ability to detect anomalies in each individual component
2Productivity
If concurrent probing of multiple VNFs is implemented, then operational efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unified interface as an intermediary layer between the operator and the multiple VNFs/sub-functions. This intermediary consolidates the complexity of interacting with numerous individual functions into a single managed interface, allowing concurrent probing operations without requiring the operator to directly manage the underlying system complexity. The unified interface abstracts and manages the complexity internally while presenting a simplified operational view
3Reliability
If multiple separate testing tools are used, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the number of interfaces increases leading to operational inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate testing tools and interfaces into a single unified interface that provides comprehensive testing coverage. This unified interface consolidates the functionality of what were previously multiple separate tools, maintaining the ability to probe and analyze all VNFs and sub-functions while eliminating the need for operators to manage multiple interfaces, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing testing coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The unified interface provides universal access to all VNFs and sub-functions through a single multi-functional portal. It maintains comprehensive testing coverage by enabling probing of any individual function or combination of functions while presenting a unified operational interface, thus improving ease of operation while preserving complete testing capability across the NFV architecture
Data Source
AI summary
An example system includes an interface module configured to receive a query that is associated with a logic flow within a telecommunications network and to present an output that indicates behavior data that satisfies the query in response to the query. The logic flow traverses a plurality of connection points across the telecommunications network, and the telecommunications network includes a plurality of distributed Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) (e.g., in a Network Function Virtualization, or NFV, architecture). The example system includes a mapping module configured to map one or more distributed VNFs to one or more connection points of the logic flow. The example system includes a data-extraction module configured to retrieve the behavior data of each of the one or more distributed VNFs. The behavior data is related to an execution of the logic flow.