VNF Deployment Optimization via Edge Image Caching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in wireless communication networks is the efficient deployment of software or firmware updates for virtual network functions (VNFs) at the network edge, which often results in significant network resource usage and potential congestion due to large file sizes and bandwidth limitations, necessitating careful planning to avoid disruption of subscriber traffic and accommodate unforeseen network events.

Innovation Solution

A deployment optimization service that maps radio access network topology, identifies optimal time windows based on historical data and policy rules, and pre-empts deployments when necessary, using a network device to push software images to an image repository near the edge locations, ensuring minimal disruption and efficient resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If software images are pushed to network edge locations for VNF deployments, then VNF deployment capability is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases and congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVNF deployment capabilityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pushing software images to edge locations before actual VNF deployment. The image repository is pre-populated at network edge locations, allowing VNF instances to be deployed without real-time image transfers during peak traffic periods. This separates the image distribution phase from the deployment phase, reducing bandwidth consumption during critical operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An image repository is introduced as an intermediary component between the central image source and edge network locations. This intermediary stores pre-fetched software images locally at edge locations, acting as a buffer that eliminates the need for continuous bandwidth-intensive image transfers during VNF deployment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If VNF deployments are performed during peak traffic periods, then deployment speed increases, but service disruption and network congestion occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment speedVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deployment optimization service dynamically schedules VNF deployments based on real-time network conditions. It monitors traffic patterns and identifies optimal time windows when network utilization is low, automatically adjusting deployment timing to avoid peak periods. This dynamic scheduling ensures fast deployments while maintaining service continuity by selecting appropriate deployment windows.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the deployment optimization service continuously monitors network traffic conditions and deployment status. Based on this feedback, it adjusts deployment scheduling to avoid peak traffic periods, ensuring that deployments are executed when network conditions are favorable, thus maintaining both speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If large software images are transferred to network edges, then VNF functionality is improved, but network resources are consumed and congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVNF functionalityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Software images are pre-fetched and stored at edge locations before VNF deployment is needed. This preliminary action allows the actual deployment to use locally cached images rather than transferring large files during critical moments, reducing real-time network resource consumption while maintaining full VNF functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network infrastructure is segmented into central image management and distributed edge repositories. This segmentation allows image distribution to be separated from deployment operations, with edge locations maintaining local copies of images for rapid deployment without consuming central network resources during actual VNF instantiation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12058595B2Network-aware deployment optimization for large scale virtual network function deployments at a network edge

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Systems and methods described herein provide deployment optimization service. A network device in a network receives an order for virtual network function (VNF) deployments at network edge locations. The network device maps a radio access network (RAN) topology for the network edge locations. The network device identifies time windows to perform the VNF deployments, based on the order, historical transport and RAN utilization data, and the RAN topology. The network device selects an optimal time window to perform the VNF deployments based on stored policy rules and pushes software images for the VNF deployments to an image repository in a geographical region near the network edge locations. The network device analyzes, for the optimal time window, real-time network data for a pre-emptive condition. The network device pre-empts the VNF deployments when a pre-emptive condition is identified and initiates the VNF deployments when no pre-emptive condition is identified.