VNF Instance Migration Between Network Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
In network functions virtualization (NFV) environments, shared virtualized network functions (VNFs) across multiple network services face coordination challenges during scale operations, leading to complexity and potential negative impacts on other services.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a 'move VNF operation' that allows VNF instances to be shifted from one network service instance to another, reducing the need for coordination and avoiding shared VNF instances when not necessary, thereby simplifying scale operations and resource management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If shared VNF instances are used across multiple network services, then resource utilization is improved, but coordination complexity and processing delays increase during scale operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the shared VNF instance from the multi-service sharing model and assigns it exclusively to a single network service. When a VNF instance is needed by multiple services, the system creates separate instances for each service rather than sharing one instance, thereby eliminating coordination complexity while maintaining resource utilization through efficient instance management and lifecycle control.
2Ease of manufacture
If VNF instances are shared between network services, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but scale operations require cumbersome coordination between services
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VNF instance management by creating separate lifecycle management contexts for each network service. Instead of managing shared instances across services, each service has its own dedicated instances with independent lifecycle control, allowing scale operations to be performed independently without inter-service coordination while maintaining efficient resource allocation through the NFV orchestrator's centralized management capabilities.
3Ease of operation
If exclusive VNF instances are allocated to each network service, then scale operations are simplified, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic instance management where the system determines whether to create exclusive instances or utilize shared instances based on real-time service requirements and resource availability. The NFV orchestrator dynamically allocates resources, creating separate instances when services require independent scale operations while potentially reusing instances when services have compatible requirements, thereby balancing operational simplicity with resource utilization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for moving VNF instances between network service instances are provided. One method includes, when a real network service is being instantiated, transmitting or receiving a move virtualized network function (VNF) operation to move at least one virtualized network function (VNF) instance from a source network service to a target network service.