VNF Manager Provisioning for NFVI High Availability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) systems face challenges in providing high availability and efficient failure handling for both virtual machines and physical machines, as the failure of a physical machine can cause multiple virtual machines to fail, disrupting telecommunication services.

Innovation Solution

A Virtual Network Function (VNF) manager determines the number of virtual machines needed to meet current demand and the highest number supported by a single physical machine, provisioning additional machines to account for worst-case scenarios, allowing for dynamic adjustment based on changing demand and resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If virtual machines are densely packed on physical machines to improve resource utilization, then resource efficiency improves, but the impact of physical machine failure increases (multiple VMs fail simultaneously)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidservice availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively determining and provisioning additional virtual machines before failures occur. The VNF manager calculates the worst-case scenario (highest number of VMs on a single physical machine) and provisions extra VMs in advance to replace potential failures, ensuring service continuity without waiting for actual failures to occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies beforehand cushioning by creating a buffer of additional virtual machines that serve as pre-prepared replacements. This cushioning layer absorbs the impact of physical machine failures, allowing the system to maintain service availability even when physical machines fail, thus protecting against the worsening feature while preserving resource efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If additional virtual machines are provisioned to handle physical machine failures, then service availability improves, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidnumber of virtual machines

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by provisioning exactly the number of additional virtual machines needed to handle the worst-case scenario, rather than over-provisioning. The VNF manager calculates the precise number based on the highest concentration of VMs on any single physical machine, ensuring sufficient redundancy without excessive resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the number of provisioned virtual machines based on changing parameters in the NFV environment. As VMs are migrated, physical machines are added or removed, or demand changes, the VNF manager recalculates the required number of backup VMs and adjusts provisioning accordingly, optimizing the balance between availability and resource usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the number of virtual machines is dynamically adjusted based on demand, then resource efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource efficiencyVSAvoidprovisioning management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the VNF manager continuously monitors the NFV environment, including current VM provisioning status, physical machine configurations, and service demand. Based on this feedback, the manager automatically recalculates and adjusts the number of required virtual machines, creating a closed-loop control system that manages complexity through automated decision-making rather than manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies self-service by enabling the VNF manager to autonomously determine provisioning requirements and execute adjustments without external intervention. The manager independently evaluates the current state, calculates worst-case scenarios, provisions additional VMs when needed, and releases VMs when no longer required, making the system self-managing and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11561817B2High availability for virtual network functions

Publication Date: 2023.01.24 RIBBON COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CO INC

AI summary

A method includes, with a Virtual Network Function (VNF) manager, managing a VNF that includes a plurality of VNF components running on a plurality of virtual machines, the virtual machines running on a plurality of physical computing machines, and with the VNF manager, causing a Network Function Virtualization Infrastructure (NFVI) to have a total number of virtual machines provisioned, the total number being equal to a number of virtual machines capable of providing for a current demand for VNF components plus an additional number of virtual machines equal to the highest number of virtual machines being provided by a single one of the plurality of physical computing machines.