Virtual Network Function Lifecycle Policies for Live Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current NFV platforms lack flexibility and automation in lifecycle management, leading to inefficient and disruptive updates of virtual network functions (VNFs), which can result in service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
Implement a policy-driven data model in the VNF manager to enable dynamic customization of actions and conditions during the VNF lifecycle, allowing live updates without undeploying the VNF, by defining new policies and conditions, and updating database volumes associated with the VNF and its virtual infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current NFV platforms use traditional lifecycle management methods, then VNF updates can be performed, but service interruptions and downtime occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by creating a snapshot of the current VNF state before applying updates. This allows the system to prepare the update environment in advance while the original VNF continues to operate, enabling seamless transitions without service interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual copies (snapshots) of the VNF state. These copies can be modified and tested independently while the original VNF continues to serve traffic. Once validated, the copy replaces the original, ensuring continuous service availability.
2Productivity
If VNF lifecycle management is performed manually without significant automation, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The NFV orchestrator is designed as a universal platform that can manage multiple VNF instances and types through a single automated interface. It provides multi-functional capabilities including snapshot creation, state management, update orchestration, and validation, eliminating the need for separate manual processes for each VNF lifecycle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the NFV orchestrator automatically performs lifecycle management tasks including creating snapshots, applying updates, validating changes, and rolling back if necessary. This autonomous operation eliminates manual intervention while maintaining controlled and reliable VNF management.
3Adaptability or versatility
If VNF updates are performed using traditional methods, then updates can be applied, but service interruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates snapshots of the current VNF state before updates are applied. This preliminary action captures the operational state, allowing the update process to proceed independently while the original VNF continues to serve traffic, thus preventing service interruption and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic lifecycle management where the VNF can exist in multiple states (operational, updated, validated) simultaneously. The system dynamically transitions between states based on validation results, allowing flexible update deployment without forcing service interruptions. The snapshot mechanism enables the system to maintain operational VNF instances while applying updates to copies.
Data Source
AI summary
A network function virtualization (NFV) platform can support virtual network functions (VNFs) whose behavior can change during their lifecycles. For example, a VNF manager of the NFV platform can receive a request to update a condition of a VNF and/or an action to perform upon satisfaction of the condition. Based on the condition and action, the VNF manager can create or store a lifecycle management policy in an extensible lifecycle management model associated with the virtual network function. Based on the lifecycle management policy, the VNF manager can monitor the virtual network function to detect satisfaction of the condition and, in response to detecting satisfaction of the condition, the VNF manager can perform the action associated with the lifecycle management policy.