FOCOM O-Cloud Node Shutdown with Coordinated Workload Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In O-RAN architectures, there is a need for efficient management of O-Cloud resources to optimize network energy consumption and reduce operating costs by shutting down idle nodes while ensuring workload migration to alternative nodes.

Innovation Solution

A method and system involving Federated O-Cloud Orchestration and Management (FOCOM) that receives recommendations from rApps to shut down O-Cloud nodes, relocates workloads to alternative nodes, and instructs Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) to perform the shutdown, facilitated by communication with Network Function Orchestrator (NFO).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If O-Cloud nodes are shut down to optimize energy consumption, then network energy efficiency is improved, but workload continuity and service reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork energy efficiencyVSAvoidworkload continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting idle nodes before shutdown occurs, evaluating workload migration requirements, and preparing alternative destination nodes in advance. The FOCOM identifies candidate nodes and initiates migration procedures before the actual shutdown, ensuring continuous service availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The FOCOM acts as an intermediary coordinator between the shutdown decision and the actual node termination. It mediates the complex process by evaluating migration requirements, selecting alternative nodes, and orchestrating the relocation of workloads before initiating the shutdown sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If workload migration is performed before node shutdown, then service reliability is maintained, but system complexity and migration time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidmigration coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The migration process is segmented into distinct phases: idle node detection, workload evaluation, destination node selection, and actual migration execution. Each phase is handled by specific FOCOM functions, breaking down the complex coordination into manageable steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the FOCOM continuously monitors node status and workload requirements. Based on this feedback, it dynamically adjusts migration decisions and selects optimal destination nodes, reducing coordination complexity through data-driven decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250247298A1O-cloud node shutdown management

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 RAKUTEN SYMPHONY INC

AI summary

Provided are a method, system, and device for shutting down an identified Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) Cloud (O-Cloud) node. The method may include: receiving, by a Federated O-Cloud Orchestration and Management (FOCOM), a recommendation from an rApp to shutdown an identified O-Cloud node; sending, by the FOCOM, an instruction to a Network Function Orchestrator (NFO) to relocate a workload from the identified O-Cloud node to alternative O-Cloud node based on the recommendation; and sending, by the FOCOM, an instruction to Infrastructure Management Services (IMS) to shutdown the identified O-Cloud node.