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NFV Information Model Extensions for Improved Reliability and Lifecycle Management

Authors:
Giovanni Fausto Andreotti
Paolo Secondo Crosta
Emanuele Miucci
Giuseppe Monteleone

Keywords: Network Function Virtualization, Orchestration, Information Model, VNF Descriptor, Lifecycle Management

Abstract:
This paper focuses on improvements in Management and Orchestration within the Network Function Virtualization (NFV) domain. The key benefits are related to automation in the Virtual Network Function (VNF) lifecycle, adaptation to different network traffic loads and new models for improving network resilience. These could be achieved by introducing some extensions of the NFV Information Model. Firstly, we propose the introduction in the VNF Descriptor (VNFD) of an Information Element providing the dependencies between Virtual Deployment Units (VDUs) that allows managing the VDUs’ instantiation process in a more efficient way. Secondly, we suggest an extension related to the execution of script(s) including the possibility to pass parameters - in response to particular events detected by the VNF Manager (VNFM). Finally, we propose a new Information Element for describing high availability features, thus defining possible redundancy schemes that allow the execution of specific operations tailored for each single instance of the VNF. In order to support the validity of the proposed approach, we provide some practical examples based on a real implementation of a VNF Session Border Controller.

Pages: 137 to 142

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2017

Publication date: April 23, 2017

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4413

ISBN: 978-1-61208-546-3

Location: Venice, Italy

Dates: from April 23, 2017 to April 27, 2017