VNF Deployment Parameter Assignment via VNFD Indication Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

In network function virtualization (NFV), existing technologies fail to assign values to modifiable attributes parameters in Virtual Network Function Descriptors (VNFDs), leading to unsuccessful VNF deployment due to the inability to assign values to dedicated parameters using the Modify VNF Information operation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves setting indication information for common and dedicated parameters in VNFDs to indicate their value sources, allowing the application deployment server to assign values to both common and modifiable attributes parameters, ensuring all input parameters are valued for successful VNF deployment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the virtualization service provider uses the Modify VNF Information operation to obtain the value of the modifiable attributes parameter, then the provider can learn the parameter value, but the provider cannot assign the value to the modifiable attributes parameter in the VNFD

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter value acquisitionVSAvoidparameter value assignment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the parameter assignment process by introducing a specific indication field in the Modify VNF Information operation that identifies which parameter should be assigned. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between merely acquiring parameter values and actually assigning them to the VNFD, resolving the contradiction between information acquisition and assignment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary indication field as a mediator between the Modify VNF Information operation and the VNFD parameter assignment. This intermediary element carries the specific instruction for parameter assignment, enabling the virtualization service provider to correctly assign values to modifiable attributes parameters in the VNFD.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the virtualization service provider assigns values only to common parameters in the VNFD, then the assignment process is simple, but the VNF deployment fails due to unassigned modifiable attributes parameters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter assignment simplicityVSAvoidVNF deployment success
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the VNFD with proper structure and pre-establishing the Modify VNF Information operation with indication fields before the actual parameter assignment occurs. This preparation ensures that when parameter assignment happens, both common parameters and modifiable attributes parameters can be correctly assigned, maintaining simplicity while ensuring deployment success.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the Modify VNF Information operation provides feedback about which parameters need to be assigned, and the system uses this feedback to correctly assign both common parameters and modifiable attributes parameters. This feedback loop ensures complete parameter assignment while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3972196B1Virtual network function (VNF) deployment method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.09.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3972196B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3972196B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3972196B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application relates to the field of network function virtualization, and discloses a virtual network function VNF deployment method and an apparatus, to resolve a problem of how to assign a value to a modifiable attributes parameter in a VNFD. The method includes: separately setting indication information of a common parameter and dedicated parameter in a VNFD, to indicate a source of a value of the common parameter and a source of a value of the dedicated parameter, where the common parameter and the dedicated parameter are included in input parameters. When assigning values to the common parameter and the dedicated parameter, a virtualization service provider obtains the value of the common parameter based on the indication information of the common parameter, and obtains the value of the dedicated parameter based on the indication information of the dedicated parameter. Therefore, the virtualization service provider can assign values to the common parameter and a modifiable attributes parameter in the VNFD, so that values are assigned to all input parameters in the VNFD, and the VNF is successfully deployed.