Virtual Network Element Upgrade via Seamless VM Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of upgrading physical network elements in wireless communication systems disrupts communication services due to the need for power-off and prolonged downtime, which negatively impacts service continuity and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves pre-creating virtual machines of the latest version for Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) and seamlessly replacing older virtual machines during a designated upgrading time period, allowing for online upgrades without service interruption, using a combination of OMM and OMP virtual machines with master and standby configurations to manage and synchronize data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical network element upgrading is performed using traditional power-off and restarting method, then the network element can be upgraded to latest version, but service continuity is interrupted and communication service cannot be provided during upgrading period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-creating virtual machines of the latest version before the upgrading time period begins. This allows the new virtual machines to be ready and waiting, so when the upgrading period starts, the switch can happen immediately without needing to create or download anything during the limited upgrading window, thus minimizing service interruption time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual machines that replicate the network element functionality. Instead of modifying the existing physical network element in place, a copy (virtual machine) of the latest version is created and can take over service provision, allowing the original to be upgraded without interrupting service continuity.
2Reliability
If online upgrading of physical network element is performed, then service continuity can be maintained, but the upgrading process requires relatively long time which still impacts service provision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions outside the upgrading time period by pre-creating the latest version virtual machines. This preparation work is done when service is not being impacted, so when the actual upgrading period begins, only the quick switching operation remains, thereby improving upgrading efficiency without compromising service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the upgrading process into two distinct phases: a preparation phase (creating virtual machines of latest version) that occurs outside the upgrading time period, and an execution phase (switching to new virtual machines) that occurs within the limited upgrading period. This segmentation allows the time-consuming operations to happen when they don't impact service productivity.
3Productivity
If virtual machines are pre-created before upgrading time period, then upgrading can be completed quickly within limited timeframe, but additional resource consumption occurs during pre-creation process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the resource-intensive virtual machine creation operation from the time-critical upgrading period and places it in a separate preparation phase. This allows the system to use additional resources for pre-creation without impacting the productivity requirements during the actual upgrading window, effectively decoupling resource consumption from service impact.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed in the present invention are a method and device for upgrading a VNF, the method comprising: creating a latest version of a virtual machine; seamlessly replacing a corresponding virtual machine in the virtual network element with the latest version of the virtual machine to upgrade the virtual network element. The present invention also discloses a computer storage medium.