VNF Provisioning via Controller-Managed Data Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current provisioning systems in wireless communication networks are inefficient and ineffective in managing the instantiation and de-instantiation of virtual network elements, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and management of Virtual Network Functions (VNFs).
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication network architecture that includes a VNF controller and provisioning circuitry, which instantiates and de-instantiates VNFs by establishing and terminating provisioning links, synchronizing software versions, and managing network element information to ensure efficient and timely provisioning of virtual network elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If provisioning systems establish provisioning links to virtual network elements when needed, then provisioning effectiveness is improved, but provisioning complexity and resource overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing provisioning links when virtual network elements are instantiated, rather than waiting until provisioning is actually needed. The VNF controller proactively notifies the provisioning system of new VNFs, enabling the provisioning link to be established in advance. This ensures provisioning effectiveness is improved while avoiding the complexity of on-demand link establishment and teardown operations.
2Loss of time
If provisioning systems continuously monitor virtual network elements, then provisioning timeliness is improved, but system resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by establishing a notification mechanism where the VNF controller actively informs the provisioning system about instantiation and de-instantiation events. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system receives feedback notifications that trigger provisioning actions only when necessary. This reduces system resource consumption while maintaining timely provisioning response through event-driven architecture.
3Ease of operation
If provisioning links are maintained for all virtual network elements, then provisioning availability is improved, but network resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making provisioning links dynamic rather than static - they are established when VNFs are instantiated and torn down when VNFs are de-instantiated. This dynamic approach ensures provisioning availability is maintained for active VNFs while reducing network resource overhead by eliminating the need to maintain provisioning links for inactive or removed VNFs.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication network comprises network circuitry which hosts a Virtual Network Function (VNF). A VNF controller instantiates the VNF in the network circuitry and transfers instantiation information for the VNF to provisioning circuitry. The provisioning circuitry receives the instantiation information for the VNF and establishes a provisioning data link to the VNF. The provisioning circuitry transfers network provisioning data to the VNF over the provisioning data link. The VNF controller de-instantiates the VNF in the network circuitry and responsively transfers de-instantiation information for the VNF to the provisioning circuitry. The provisioning circuitry receives the de-instantiation information for the VNF and terminates the provisioning data link to the VNF. The VNF controller may comprise a Network Function Virtualization Management and Orchestration (NFV MANO) computer.