Serverless Network Function Deployment via Domain-Specific Language
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network function virtualization (NFV) technologies face inefficiencies and disadvantages when running virtual network functions (VNFs) in virtual machines (VMs) and containers, including resource utilization and deployment challenges.
Innovation Solution
The use of a domain-specific language (DSL) to express and compile serverless network functions, combined with optimizing the deployment location on network devices, allows for dynamic execution and resource allocation, enhancing flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If network functions are run directly on hardware of network devices, then network functions can be executed with hardware-level performance, but hardware scale, diversity, and cost are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the network function execution environment through virtual machines and containers. Instead of running each network function directly on dedicated hardware, the system virtualizes the hardware resources and creates software-based copies that can run multiple network functions on the same physical infrastructure, thereby reducing hardware scale and diversity while maintaining execution performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal hardware platform that can execute multiple different network functions through virtualization. A single network device can host multiple virtual machines and containers that perform different networking functions (routing, switching, firewall, etc.), eliminating the need for specialized hardware for each function and reducing overall hardware diversity
2Quantity of substance
If network functions are virtualized in VMs and containers, then hardware scale and diversity are reduced, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resource allocation and orchestration for virtualized network functions. The system can dynamically migrate VMs and containers between physical hosts, allocate resources based on demand, and optimize resource utilization in real-time. This dynamic approach prevents resource waste while maintaining the benefits of virtualization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the virtualized network function environment to self-optimize resource utilization through automated orchestration and management systems. The system can automatically monitor resource usage, balance loads, and allocate computing, storage, and networking resources efficiently without manual intervention, thereby improving resource utilization efficiency while maintaining reduced hardware scale
3Adaptability or versatility
If network functions are updated by replacing hardware, then network functionality can be updated, but network downtime increases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses virtualization to create software-based copies of network functions that can be updated independently of the underlying hardware. Network functions are implemented as VMs or containers that can be instantiated, updated, and migrated without replacing physical hardware, enabling seamless updates with minimal or no network downtime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary provisioning and testing of network function updates in isolated virtual environments before deploying them to production. The orchestration system can prepare updated network functions in advance, validate them, and then activate them with minimal disruption, reducing both downtime and operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes techniques and mechanisms for using a domain-specific language (DSL) to express and compile serverless network functions, and optimizing the deployment location for the serverless network functions on network devices. In some examples, the serverless network functions may be expressed entirely in the DSL (e.g., via a text-based editor, a graphics-based editor, etc.), where the DSL is a computer language specialized to a particular domain, such as a network function domain. In additional examples, the serverless network functions may be expressed and compiled using a DSL in combination with a general-purpose language (GSL). Once the serverless network function have been expressed and/or compiled, the techniques of this disclosure further include determining an optimized network component on which the serverless network function is to execute, and deploying the serverless function to the optimized network component.