Network Management Apparatus for Virtual Network Function Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network management techniques for virtualized network functions (VNFs) do not adequately consider network performance metrics such as end-to-end bandwidth, delay, and reliability when deploying virtual routers, leading to inefficient resource allocation and management in service chaining scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A network management apparatus and method that generates an extended topology by adding virtual network functions as nodes, allowing for the display of an optimum path based on network and computing resource information, enabling effective deployment and path configuration considering both network and computing resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual network functions are deployed on servers without considering network performance metrics, then deployment flexibility and resource utilization are improved, but network performance (end-to-end bandwidth, delay, reliability) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network management apparatus as an intermediary between VNF deployment and network performance. This apparatus generates extended topology information that includes both computing resources (servers) and network resources (bandwidth, delay, reliability metrics), enabling deployment decisions that simultaneously consider both flexibility and performance requirements without direct conflict between the two aspects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extends the traditional deployment decision-making framework by adding network performance dimensions to the topology information. Instead of only considering computing resource availability, the system now incorporates network metrics (bandwidth, delay, reliability) as additional dimensions in the extended topology, enabling multi-criteria optimization of VNF deployment.
2Ease of operation
If only virtual machine deployment is considered without network resource consideration, then deployment simplicity is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges computing resource information and network resource information into a unified extended topology structure. By combining these previously separate considerations into a single integrated data model, the system maintains deployment simplicity while simultaneously improving resource allocation efficiency, as both types of resources are evaluated together in one cohesive framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended topology information serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides deployment guidance, evaluates resource allocation efficiency, and ensures network performance requirements are met. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate simple deployment mechanisms while achieving comprehensive resource optimization.
3Productivity
If comprehensive network performance consideration is implemented in VNF deployment, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary generation of extended topology information that pre-integrates both computing and network resource characteristics. By preparing this comprehensive topology data in advance, the system enables efficient resource allocation decisions without requiring complex real-time analysis during deployment, thus reducing operational management complexity while maintaining high resource allocation efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A management method and apparatus which allows easy management of virtual network function deployment on a network are provided. A network management apparatus generates an extended topology in which a virtual network function that can be deployed on a server is added as an extended node ((VNF(A), VNF(B)) to a topology of the network; and displays an optimum path (RP1, RP2, RP3) in the extended topology on display means (400b) when a requirement of at least one virtual network function and endpoint nodes involved in the requirement are input through an input means (401, 402), wherein the optimum path is obtained based on network resource information of the network and computing resource information of servers on which at least one virtual network function can be deployed.