NFV Service Continuity via VNF Instance Duplication and Traffic Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current techniques for preserving service continuity in Network Function Virtualization (NFV)-based communication networks are limited, making it challenging to maintain uninterrupted service during migrations, maintenance, and optimizations.
Innovation Solution
The system identifies a first VNF instance, instantiates a compatible second VNF instance on a different hardware unit, and diverts communication to the second instance, allowing for seamless service continuity by deactivating the first instance and migrating or updating functions without interrupting service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a VNF instance is migrated or deactivated for maintenance, then network optimization and maintenance can be performed, but service continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent instantiates a second VNF instance before deactivating the first VNF instance. This preliminary action ensures that a replacement instance is ready and available before the migration or maintenance operation begins, thereby preventing service interruption when the first instance is deactivated.
Solution Approach 2:
The second VNF instance acts as an intermediary that takes over the service functions before the first instance is deactivated. The system diverts communication to the second instance, which mediates the transition and ensures continuous service availability during the migration or maintenance process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If VNF instances are frequently moved between hardware facilities for optimization, then network flexibility and capacity optimization improve, but service interruption risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Before moving a VNF instance to a different hardware facility, the system instantiates a second VNF instance on the target hardware. This preliminary setup ensures that the service can be seamlessly transferred without interruption, enabling frequent moves for optimization without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the first VNF instance as a second VNF instance on different hardware. This copy can be activated to take over service functions, allowing the original instance to be migrated or deactivated without service interruption, thus enabling flexible resource management.
3Reliability
If communication is diverted to a new VNF instance, then service continuity is maintained during migration, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a communication diversion mechanism that acts as an intermediary between external communications and the VNF instances. This mediator automatically routes traffic to the active instance (first or second), managing the complexity of instance transitions while maintaining service continuity without requiring complex manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for preserving service continuity in a Network Function Virtualization based (NFV-based) communication network. In use, a first virtual network function (VNF) instance associated with a first VNF in a first hardware unit in a Network Function Virtualization based (NFV-based) communication network is identified. Additionally, a second VNF instance on a second hardware unit is instantiated, the second VNF instance being compatible with the first VNF instance. Further, communication directed to the first VNF instance is diverted to the second VNF instance on the second hardware unit, in response to initiating the second VNF instance on a second hardware unit.