Integrated VNF Routing Platform for Packet-Aware Function Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems fail to identify and allocate appropriate virtual network functions (VNFs) to execute necessary functions on incoming data packets in a network, particularly in telecommunications networks like 5G, leading to inefficiencies in data processing and routing.
Innovation Solution
A computer network infrastructure device with a virtual machine host that instantiates VNFs and orchestrates their execution based on packet attributes, coordinating functions before, after, or in parallel with routing decisions, reducing the need for multiple devices by integrating VNF instantiation and routing within a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems are used for network routing, then device simplicity is maintained, but the ability to identify and allocate appropriate VNFs to execute functions on incoming data packets is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the VNF instantiation capability and routing functionality into a single network infrastructure device. The virtual machine host component can instantiate VNFs while the routing component performs packet routing, and both share a common packet interface. This merging allows the system to identify and allocate appropriate VNFs for executing functions on incoming data packets while maintaining a unified device architecture rather than requiring separate specialized devices.
2Productivity
If multiple separate devices are used for VNF instantiation and routing, then functional specialization is achieved, but the number of devices and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple network functions into a single infrastructure device. The virtual machine host can instantiate multiple VNFs that can process different types of data packets (voice, video, text, images) while the routing component handles packet forwarding. This consolidation reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining the ability to execute multiple functions efficiently through software-based VNFs rather than hardware appliances.
Solution Approach 2:
The network infrastructure device is designed with universal capabilities to handle multiple types of data packets and execute various network functions through instantiated VNFs. The virtual machine host can dynamically instantiate different VNFs based on the type of data packet received, allowing a single device to perform routing, firewall, NAT, application layer gateway, and other network functions that would traditionally require separate specialized devices.
3Productivity
If VNFs are instantiated and coordinated to execute functions in desired order, then data packet processing efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual machine host as an intermediary component that manages the instantiation and coordination of VNFs. The virtual machine host receives requests to instantiate VNFs, allocates computational resources, and coordinates the execution order of multiple VNFs based on the type of data packet and required processing functions. This intermediary layer simplifies the control complexity by providing a centralized management interface rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer coordination between multiple routing devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for instantiating virtual network functions (VNFs). In some embodiments, a computer network infrastructure device comprises a purpose-built router (e.g., a packet routing and forwarding device) and a virtual machine host. The virtual machine host instantiates VNFs and identifies a first function to be executed on the data packet based on an attribute associated with the data packet. Moreover, the virtual machine host identifies a first VNF from the VNFs that are instantiated based on a first function type executed by the first VNF and the first function to be executed on the data packet. The virtual machine host coordinates the first VNF to execute a first function on the data packet. The first VNF outputs a resultant data packet in response to executing the first function on the data packet.