NFVI Alarm Correlation Analysis for VNF Instance Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Element Management System (EMS) cannot identify alarms correlated to Virtualized Network Function (VNF) instances due to virtual resource pool failures in the Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) layer.
Innovation Solution
An alarm processing method that detects virtual resource pool failures in the NFVI layer, determines their correlation to VNF instances, and generates and sends specific alarms with identification information to the Virtual Infrastructure Manager (VIM) and Element Management System (EMS), enabling the EMS to explicitly identify the alarm type as a virtual resource pool alarm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If NFV technology is used to replace physical network elements with virtualized functions, then network flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the ability of EMS to identify and manage alarms from virtual resource pool failures is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an alarm correlation analysis mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the NFVI layer and EMS. This mechanism receives alarms from the NFVI layer, analyzes their correlation with VNF instances, and transforms them into standardized alarm information that the EMS can process. This intermediary function bridges the gap created by NFV virtualization, enabling the EMS to identify and manage virtual resource pool failures without compromising network flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where alarm information flows from the NFVI layer through the correlation analysis mechanism back to the EMS. This closed-loop feedback enables the EMS to receive timely notifications about virtual resource pool failures, correlate them with affected VNF instances, and initiate appropriate management actions. The feedback loop restores the alarm identification capability that was lost during virtualization while maintaining the benefits of NFV technology.
2Device complexity
If alarm information from NFVI layer is not explicitly identified, then system complexity is reduced, but the EMS cannot identify alarms correlated to VNF instances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the alarm processing function into distinct components: alarm reception from NFVI layer, correlation analysis with VNF instances, and standardized alarm generation for EMS. This segmentation allows each component to focus on a specific task, making the overall system manageable despite the added functionality. The correlation analysis mechanism processes alarms in a structured, step-by-step manner, improving reliability without overwhelming system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary correlation analysis between alarms and VNF instances before forwarding alarm information to the EMS. By pre-processing and tagging alarm information with relevant VNF instance identifiers and correlation data, the system ensures that the EMS receives ready-to-use, explicitly identified alarm information. This preliminary action enhances alarm identification reliability while keeping the complexity contained within the correlation analysis mechanism.
Data Source
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AI summary
Alarm processing methods and devices are provided. According to an alarm processing method, it is detected that a Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) layer has a virtual resource pool failure; it is determined that the virtual resource pool failure is correlated to a Virtualized Network Function (VNF) instance; an NFVI layer alarm, which includes identification information identifying that an alarm type of the NFVI layer alarm is a virtual resource pool alarm, is generated; and the generated NFVI layer alarm is sent to a Virtualized Infrastructure Manager entity (VIM), and the identification information is used for indicating the VIM to send the NFVI layer alarm, the alarm type of which is the virtual resource pool alarm, to an Element Management System (EMS) through a Virtualized Network Function Manager entity (VNFM). By means of the solution, the EMS can explicitly identify an alarm correlated to a VNF instance generated due to the virtual resource pool failure of the NFVI layer.