VNF Resource Allocation Control via Compatibility Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack automation in allocating resources to Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) during scale-out, requiring manual tuning by system operators to ensure compatibility, which is inefficient and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A control device that automatically allocates resources to VNFs by using a storage unit to store VNF compatibility conditions and resource usage information, allowing the VNF control unit to determine suitable resources for allocation based on these conditions, ensuring compatibility and efficient scaling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual tuning is used for resource allocation to VNFs during scale-out, then resource allocation can be performed with VNF compatibility conditions, but the process becomes inefficient and requires operator intervention

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveVNF compatibility condition satisfactionVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device automatically performs resource allocation for VNFs by referencing stored compatibility conditions and resource usage information, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention while ensuring compatibility requirements are met

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores VNF compatibility conditions and resource usage information in a database before scale-out operations occur, enabling rapid automated decision-making during dynamic scaling events without requiring real-time manual analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If automated resource allocation is implemented without VNF compatibility conditions, then resource allocation efficiency improves, but compatibility between VNFs cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation automationVSAvoidVNF compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control device continuously references stored compatibility conditions and resource usage information during automated allocation, using feedback from the database to make informed decisions that satisfy VNF compatibility requirements while maintaining automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The database acts as an intermediary between the automated allocation process and VNF compatibility requirements, storing pre-defined compatibility conditions that guide the automated decision-making process to ensure proper VNF coexistence

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual resource allocation is performed for each VNF scale-out event, then resource allocation can be customized, but time consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation customizationVSAvoidresource allocation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses templates to define VNF compatibility conditions and resource allocation patterns in advance, allowing automated replication of proven allocation strategies across multiple scale-out events while maintaining adaptability to different VNF types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Device complexity

If no resource usage information is tracked, then system complexity is reduced, but appropriate resource allocation cannot be determined during VNF scale-out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidresource allocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates resource usage information tracking from the core control logic, storing detailed resource usage data in a dedicated database structure. This segmentation allows accurate resource allocation decisions without increasing the complexity of the control device itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11954512B2Control device and control method

Publication Date: 2024.04.09 NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE CORP

AI summary

A control system (10) includes, for each type of Virtual Network Function (VNF), a VNF compatibility condition indicating a condition of allocation of resources by which the VNF corresponding to the type is allowed to coexist with other VNFs in an identical computer, and resource usage information indicating resources in use by the VNF in the computer and unused resources. The control system (10) includes a VNF deploy control unit (14) referencing, in a case of receiving an instruction to additionally install a VNF, the type of the VNF to be additionally installed, the VNF compatibility condition, and the resource usage information to determine, from among the unused resources, resources allocated to the VNF to be additionally installed, and a resource allocation processing unit allocating the determined resources to the VNF to be additionally installed.