VNFM-EMS Subscription Flow for Network Element Lifecycle Sync

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network function virtualization (NFV) technologies face challenges in efficiently managing and orchestrating virtualized network functions (VNFs) due to the lack of effective communication and subscription mechanisms between different virtualized network function managers (VNFM) and element management systems (EMS), leading to inefficiencies in network element (NE) lifecycle management.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method and electronic device that facilitate authentication and registration processes between distinct VNFM and EMS, enabling the transmission of authentication information for subscription, instantiation, and lifecycle management change (LCM) notifications to establish connections and manage NEs effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If authentication information is transmitted between distinct VNFM and EMS for subscription registration, then communication and synchronization between VNFM and EMS is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional authentication and registration mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing authentication information and subscription registration mechanisms before lifecycle management operations. The VNFM and EMS perform authentication and subscription registration in advance, creating a ready-to-use communication framework that ensures reliable subsequent interactions without adding complexity to operational processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing standardized authentication information structures and subscription registration protocols as mediators between VNFM and EMS. These intermediaries facilitate reliable communication by providing a structured exchange mechanism, reducing the complexity of direct peer-to-peer authentication while ensuring communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If subscription request messages and LCM notification messages are exchanged between VNFM and EMS, then network element lifecycle management efficiency is improved, but information loss increases due to potential message transmission failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifecycle management efficiencyVSAvoidmessage transmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the EMS sends subscription request messages to the VNFM and expects confirmation responses. The VNFM acknowledges receipt and processing status of these messages, creating a feedback loop that ensures information integrity. This feedback system allows the system to detect and handle transmission failures, preventing information loss while maintaining high lifecycle management efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If authentication information is used for registration to subscription list, then security and access control are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional authentication steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control reliabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the VNFM and EMS to automatically perform authentication and subscription registration without manual intervention. The authentication information is exchanged and processed automatically through standardized protocols, maintaining strong access control while eliminating the operational burden of manual authentication steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250373519A1Electronic device and method for generating virtualized network function in network function virtualization environment

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method performed by an electronic device for a virtualized network function manager (VNFM) is provided. The method includes transmitting authentication information to an element management system (EMS) generated by another VNFM distinct from the VNFM, wherein the authentication information is used to register the VNFM in a subscription list, receiving, from the EMS, a subscription request message, including the authentication information, performing, based on the registration for the EMS, a process for the instantiation of a network element (NE), based on the process for the instantiation of the NE, transmitting a lifecycle management change (LCM) notification message to the EMS, and based on the LCM notification message, connecting the NE to the EMS.