VNF Migration Without Traffic Page Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network function virtualization (NFV) migration disrupts network operations due to the need to synchronize memory pages, particularly traffic pages, which can lead to downtime and network bottlenecks, especially for network forwarding functions.
Innovation Solution
The system and method prioritize minimizing disruption by ignoring traffic page synchronization, taking a snapshot of configuration and billing/statistical data, and synchronizing only configuration data in real-time, with potential retroactive correction, allowing the new VNF instance to start without copying traffic data, and using smart failover techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traffic page synchronization is performed during VNF migration, then data consistency is improved, but migration downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments memory pages into three categories: configuration pages, billing/statistical pages, and traffic pages. By differentiating and selectively synchronizing only configuration and billing pages while excluding traffic pages, the system achieves data consistency for essential functions without the time penalty of synchronizing all memory pages, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and excludes traffic pages from the synchronization process entirely. Since traffic pages contain transient packet data that can be regenerated, removing them from the migration synchronization reduces the synchronization scope and time, while configuration and billing data are still synchronized to maintain essential service consistency.
2Reliability
If all memory pages are copied during VNF migration, then service continuity is improved, but network disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides memory pages into functional categories and selectively copies only configuration pages and billing/statistical pages during migration. Traffic pages are excluded from copying, which reduces the synchronization time and minimizes network disruption, while still maintaining service continuity for essential network functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts traffic pages from the copying process, recognizing that these transient packet data pages can be regenerated after migration. By excluding them from the copy operation, the system reduces migration time and network disruption while maintaining sufficient service continuity through synchronization of critical configuration data.
3Measurement precision
If VNF migration is performed with full synchronization, then data accuracy is improved, but migration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the migration process by segmenting memory pages into three types and applying different synchronization strategies to each. Configuration pages are synchronized for accuracy, billing pages are synchronized with retroactive correction, and traffic pages are excluded. This segmented approach reduces migration complexity compared to uniform full synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality levels of synchronization to different memory page types based on their specific requirements. Configuration pages receive full synchronization for high accuracy, billing pages receive synchronization with post-migration correction, and traffic pages receive no synchronization since they can be regenerated. This localized quality approach reduces overall migration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed in an example, a computer-implemented method of providing network function virtualization orchestration (NFVO), including: determining that a first virtual network function (VNF) instance, providing a virtual service appliance on a virtual network, is to be migrated; provisioning a second VNF instance of the virtual service appliance; cloning configuration data from the first VNF to the second VNF; starting the second VNF without copying traffic data; and halting the first VNF. There is also disclosed an apparatus for performing the method, and a computer-readable medium having instructions for performing the method.