NFVO Network Entity Selection Proximity Classification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In virtualized 3GPP mobile networks, the selection of network entities for user sessions is inefficient due to the lack of optimized communication between virtual machines residing on different physical environments, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and increased I/O operations.
Innovation Solution
The Network Function Virtualization Orchestrator (NFVO) maintains a list of candidate virtual network functions within the same physical environment and classifies their proximity based on factors like hardware location and I/O circuitry quality, dynamically configuring addresses and identities to facilitate intra-PM communication and resource management without requiring new mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual machines are distributed across different physical environments for network entity selection, then network flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but communication efficiency and I/O operations deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The NFVO pre-configures candidate entity addresses and identities with proximity information before network entities need to select candidates. This preliminary classification of physical environment data enables efficient selection without real-time I/O operations, reducing communication overhead while maintaining flexibility in virtual machine distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure that carries proximity information about physical environments. This intermediary enables selecting entities to make informed decisions about candidate entity selection without direct communication with the NFVO, reducing I/O operations while maintaining adaptive network entity selection
2Adaptability or versatility
If network entities are selected from candidates across multiple physical environments, then resource orchestration flexibility is improved, but communication performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by classifying candidate entities based on their physical environment characteristics and prioritizing selections within the same physical environment. This creates localized optimization where entities preferentially select candidates from nearby physical locations, improving communication performance while maintaining overall resource orchestration flexibility through the NFVO
Solution Approach 2:
Proximity information is pre-configured in candidate entity addresses and identities, allowing selecting entities to quickly identify and preferentially choose candidates from the same physical environment. This preliminary classification enables fast local selection without real-time queries, improving communication speed while preserving orchestration flexibility
3Productivity
If dynamic configuration of addresses and identities is implemented, then network entity selection efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The NFVO performs multiple functions including managing virtualized network functions, classifying physical environments, configuring candidate entity addresses, and maintaining proximity information. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single orchestrator rather than distributing it across multiple components, improving selection efficiency while managing system complexity centrally
Solution Approach 2:
The NFVO pre-configures all necessary proximity information in candidate entity addresses and identities before selection occurs. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex real-time decision-making logic in selecting entities, improving selection efficiency while keeping the actual selection mechanism simple
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus and a method are provided by which, in an apparatus for setting up and maintaining network functions, identities of first type network functions and second type network functions are stored, wherein the first type of virtual network functions are configured to select one or more of the second type network functions, and, for each first type network function, information regarding second type network functions which are selectable by the corresponding first type network function based on information regarding physical conditions of the first type network functions and the second type of virtual network functions are maintained.