Virtual Network Function Sleep State Configuration Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications networks, the dynamic nature of virtualized network functions and their distribution across multiple locations and vendors increases coordination complexity, particularly during cyclical expansion and reduction scenarios, leading to challenges in maintaining accurate network configurations and managing resource scaling.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing virtual network functions that involve activating and deactivating them based on configuration files, detecting changes in network conditions, and updating sleep state configurations to ensure seamless transitions between active and sleep states, thereby maintaining configuration integrity and reducing the load on network management systems during redeployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If virtual network functions are distributed across multiple locations and vendors to improve network flexibility and scalability, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to increased coordination requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network management system as an intermediary that centralizes the coordination of distributed virtual network functions. This mediator handles configuration management, state tracking, and coordination between multiple VNFs across different locations and vendors, thereby maintaining network flexibility while reducing the complexity burden on individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management system performs multiple functions including configuration management, state monitoring, coordination, and conflict resolution in a single unified platform. This multi-functional approach consolidates various coordination tasks that would otherwise be scattered across multiple systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
2Productivity
If virtual network functions are dynamically scaled to meet varying network demand, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to configuration management challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining configuration files for virtual network functions in both active and sleep states before actual scaling operations occur. When VNFs are scaled down to sleep state, their configurations are preserved and updated in advance, so that when scaling back up, the configurations are already ready and validated, eliminating complex real-time configuration management during dynamic scaling events.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates and maintains configuration file copies for virtual network functions in different states (active and sleep). These configuration copies allow the system to manage scaled-down VNFs without losing their configuration data, enabling seamless scaling operations while simplifying configuration management by working with standardized configuration file representations rather than complex live system states.
3Measurement precision
If configuration files are updated in real-time for active virtual network functions, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to service disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs configuration updates in advance when VNFs are in sleep state, before they are needed in active state. Configuration files are prepared, validated, and updated while the VNF is inactive, so that when the VNF transitions back to active state, the configuration is already accurate and ready, eliminating service disruption that would occur with real-time configuration updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the configuration management operation from the active service timeline by performing all configuration updates, validations, and preparations when the VNF is in sleep state. This separates the configuration update process from the service delivery process, allowing high-precision configuration updates without impacting service continuity or causing time loss during active operation.
4Use of energy by moving object
If virtual network functions are put into sleep state to save energy, then use of energy is improved, but reliability decreases due to configuration obsolescence
Solution Approach 1:
The network management system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor network conditions and detect changes that would affect sleeping VNFs. When changes are detected (such as new VNF deployments, topology changes, or configuration modifications), the system automatically updates the configuration files of sleeping VNFs to reflect current network state, ensuring configuration accuracy is maintained even while VNFs remain in low-power sleep state for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration updates and validations while VNFs are in sleep state, proactively maintaining configuration accuracy before the VNFs are activated. This preliminary action ensures that when sleeping VNFs are brought back online, their configurations are already current and accurate, preventing reliability issues that would arise from configuration obsolescence during extended sleep periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A first virtual network function (VNF1, 51) in a communications network (5) is activated to operate in accordance with a configuration defined in a configuration file (21). It is determined when the first virtual network function (51) is required to change from an active state to a sleep state. A sleep state configuration file (31) is stored for the first virtual network function (51) at a network management system (10). A change of network conditions is detected in the network. The sleep state configuration file (31) of the first virtual network function (51) is updated in response to the detected change of network conditions while the first virtual network function (51) is in the sleep state. Detecting a change of network conditions in the network can comprise detecting a change to another virtual network function (52, 53, 54) active in the network, or another virtual network function (52) in the sleep state, which impacts the configuration (21) of the first virtual network function (51).