Virtualized Network Function Performance Monitoring in 3GPP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Communication networks, particularly 3GPP networks, face challenges in dynamically adapting to changing demands due to fluctuations in the number and type of required network elements, which affects service quality and reliability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtualization framework, such as Network Functions Virtualization (NFV), that allows for the dynamic alteration of network elements by utilizing virtualized resources and orchestration to manage and monitor the performance of virtualized network functions, enabling timely detection and correction of failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtualization framework is implemented to dynamically alter network elements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network is segmented into virtualized network functions (VNFs) that can be independently deployed, managed, and scaled. Each VNF represents a discrete network element that can be dynamically instantiated on virtualized infrastructure, enabling flexible adaptation without reconfiguring the entire network. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing high adaptability through modular VNFs while managing complexity through standardized virtualization layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtualized infrastructure provides universal computing, storage, and networking resources that can support multiple different network functions. The same physical infrastructure can host various VNFs (e.g., MME, SGW, PGW, eNB) depending on network demands, achieving multi-functionality. This universality improves adaptability while containing device complexity by consolidating resources rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each network element.
2Reliability
If performance monitoring of virtualized resources is enhanced, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms through performance monitoring entities that continuously collect metrics from virtualized resources (CPU utilization, memory usage, network throughput, latency). This feedback is fed back to the orchestration system, which uses it to dynamically adjust resource allocation, scale VNFs, or migrate workloads. This feedback loop improves reliability by enabling proactive issue detection and resolution while managing measurement precision through aggregated statistical metrics rather than requiring ultra-precise individual measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary performance monitoring layer is introduced between the virtualized resources and the management system. This intermediary aggregates, normalizes, and correlates performance data from multiple sources, transforming raw metrics into meaningful insights. The intermediary handles the complexity of precise measurements by providing standardized interfaces and threshold-based alerting, improving reliability without requiring end systems to implement complex high-precision measurement capabilities.
3Reliability
If dynamic alteration of network elements is enabled, then service quality is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The virtualized network functions are designed to be self-describing and self-configuring. When a VNF is instantiated, it automatically declares its resource requirements, networking needs, and operational parameters. The orchestration system uses this self-provided information to automatically allocate resources and configure connections without manual intervention. This self-service capability improves service quality through consistent, error-free deployments while maintaining ease of operation by eliminating complex manual configuration tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
Network functions are pre-packaged as standardized virtual machine images or containers with all necessary software, configurations, and dependencies pre-configured. These pre-prepared VNF templates can be rapidly deployed by simply instantiating the image, avoiding the need for manual installation and configuration during operation. This preliminary action improves service quality by ensuring consistent, tested configurations while dramatically simplifying operations through template-based deployment.
Data Source
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AI summary
Performance monitoring techniques for virtualized resources are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise processing circuitry and computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions for execution by the processing circuitry to identify a virtualized network function (VNF)-related virtualized resource (VR) performance threshold for one or more VRs supporting a VNF used to implement a virtualized network element in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, determine whether the VNF-related VR performance threshold has been crossed based on received VNF-related VR performance data, and in response to a determination that the VNF-related VR performance threshold has been crossed, send a VNF-related VR performance alarm notification to an element manager (EM). Other embodiments are described and claimed.