Virtualized Network Function Configuration via Elementary Component Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Virtualized network architectures face limitations in client services due to a fixed number of virtualized network functions, making it difficult to customize services and leading to a complex catalog with increased risks of selecting unsuitable functions.

Innovation Solution

A device and system for configuring virtualized network functions from elementary components, allowing personalized configuration based on client requirements, with compatibility checks and generation in an executable format for the virtualized communication network, enabling flexible composition and efficient management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed catalog of virtualized network functions is provided, then the infrastructure is simple to manage, but client services are limited and cannot be customized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice customization capabilityVSAvoidcatalog complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments virtualized network functions into reusable elementary components (VNFCs) that can be independently configured and combined. This allows the system to offer customized services by assembling components rather than managing a complex catalog of complete VNFs, resolving the contradiction between service adaptability and catalog complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic configuration of virtualized network functions by allowing clients to customize service parameters and combine elementary components according to specific needs. This dynamic approach replaces the static fixed catalog with a flexible composition mechanism, achieving service customization without proportionally increasing catalog complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If more virtualized network functions are added to the catalog, then service variety increases, but storage requirements and selection complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice varietyVSAvoidstorage requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple VNFs into a unified set of elementary components (VNFCs) that can be reused across different service configurations. Instead of storing separate copies of each VNF variant, the system stores reusable components that can be combined to create diverse services, reducing storage requirements while maintaining service variety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The elementary components designed in the patent serve multiple functions and can be used in different combinations to create various virtualized network services. This universal design allows a single component library to support diverse service varieties without requiring proportional increases in storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If compatible components are strictly verified, then system reliability improves, but configuration time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoidconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary compatibility verification by pre-defining valid combinations of elementary components and their interdependencies. The system checks compatibility during the configuration phase rather than during deployment, allowing early detection of invalid configurations and reducing rework time, thus maintaining reliability while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3238378B1System for generating a virtualised network function
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 ORANGE SA
  • EP3238378B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for configuring a virtualised network function, intended for being implemented in a virtualised communication network (2), said device including: a receiving module (100), arranged to receive a request to configure said virtualised network function; an obtaining module (102), arranged to obtain at least one parameter for implementing an elementary component of said virtualised network function in a virtualised communication network (2), to be added to a basic virtualised network function; and a configuration module (104), arranged to compose said virtualised network function from at least one elementary component and from the parameter for implementing said at least one obtained elementary component.