Patent Publication Number: US-2021191743-A1

Title: Method of controlling virtual network function, virtual network function management apparatus and virtual network providing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/013769 filed Mar. 30, 2018 and claims benefit of priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-073039 (filed on Mar. 31, 2017) the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference into this specification. The present disclosure relates to a method of controlling a virtual network function, a virtual network function management apparatus and a virtual network providing system, and in particular to a method of controlling a virtual network function, a virtual network function management apparatus and a virtual network providing system, using a virtual machine that configures a virtual network function. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Background 
     Non-Patent Literature (NPL) 1 discloses a system referred to as network function virtualization (below, NFV) in which functions of various types of communication equipment in a network are realized in an operating system (OS) in which a general purpose server is virtualized, using virtualization technology. NTV is realized based on, for example, MANO (Management &amp; Orchestration) architecture.  FIG. 9  is a diagram citing FIG. 5.1 (The NFV-MANO architectural framework with reference points) on page 23 of Non-Patent Literature 1. 
     Patent Literature (PTL) 1 discloses a virtualization base selection apparatus that selects a physical server deploying a VM which is a virtualized network function, from a NFVI (Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure). According to the same literature, the virtualization base selection apparatus is provided with at least a physical resource conversion section 1 that converts an application request which is a logical request into a physical resource request, a server extraction section 2 that extracts a physical server that satisfies the physical resource request after the conversion from a physical server in the NFVI, and an optimum server selection section 3 that selects an optimum physical server from among the extracted physical servers.
     [PTL 1]   Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP2016-143365A   [NPL 1]   Non-Patent Literature 1: ETSI GS NFV-MAN 001 V1.1.1 (2014-12) Network Functions Virtualisation (NFV); Management and Orchestration (online) (retrieved on Mar. 24, 2017), Internet: &lt;http://www.etsi.org/deliver/etsi_gs/NFV-MAN/001_099/001/01.01.01_60/gs_NFV-MAN001v010101p.pdf&gt;   

     SUMMARY 
     The following analysis is given according to the present invention. In NFV-MANO architecture of Non-Patent Literature 1, there may exist a physical machine having different performance in resources managed by a VIM (Virtualized infrastructure Manager). In such a case, as a deployment destination of a VM (also referred to as VNFc, VNF component) that configures a virtual network function, there is a possibility of a physical machine of lower performance being selected. Therefore, a virtual network function management apparatus in charge of configuration of a virtual network function (below, VNF), lifecycle management, and element management (referred to as VNF manager, below: “VNFM”) assumes a case where a virtual machine of lower performance is selected, and a threshold or the like must be set to the virtual network function. 
     Patent Literature 1 discloses a virtualization base selection apparatus that converts an application request inputted from a system manager to a physical resource request, and performs selection of an NFVI (Network Functions Virtualization Infrastructure), but in the same configuration, the VNFM does not hold information related to the NFVI, and since the NFVI cannot be selected, it may not be possible to optimize the VNF. For example, assuming a case where the abovementioned physical machine with lower performance is selected, in a case where a VNF is configured using a VM in which a low congestion determination threshold or the like is set, a congestion determination is made although basically there is no need to make a congestion determination. As a result, since dropping an unnecessary packet or addition of a resource or the like is performed, practical use of the resource is not efficient. 
     It is an object of the disclosure to provide a method of controlling a virtual network function, a virtual network function management apparatus and a virtual network providing system, that can contribute to optimization of a VM (virtual machine) configuring a virtual network function. 
     According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of controlling a virtual network function, wherein a virtual network function management apparatus obtains information related to the performance of a physical machine allocated to a virtual network function. The method of controlling a virtual network function further transmits information related to the performance of the physical machine allocated to the virtual network function, to a virtual machine that configures the virtual network function. The virtual network function management apparatus causes the virtual machine that configures the virtual network function to change a congestion determination threshold set in the virtual machine, based on the performance of the physical machine. The method is tied to a particular machine which is a virtual network function management apparatus that provides a virtual network function. 
     According to a second aspect, there is provided a virtual network function management apparatus including a means for obtaining information related to the performance of a physical machine allocated to a virtual network function; and a means for transmitting information related to the performance of the physical machine allocated to the virtual network function, to a virtual machine that configures the virtual network function; wherein the virtual machine that configures the virtual network function is made to change a congestion determination threshold set in the virtual machine, based on the performance of the physical machine. 
     According a third aspect, there is provided a virtual network function providing system including the abovementioned virtual network function management apparatus. 
     The meritorious effects of the present disclosure are summarized as follows. 
     According to the present disclosure, it is possible to optimize a virtual machine (VM) that configures a virtual network function. In other words, the present disclosure converts an apparatus providing a virtual network function to one that dramatically improves the performance thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating operations of an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a virtual network function providing system in a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a VNFM in the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of a VIM in the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of NFVI performance information provided to a VNFM side by a VIM in the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of a second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating NFV-MANO of an NFV architecture (citing FIG. 5.1 of Non-Patent Literature 1). 
     
    
    
     MODES 
     First, a description is given of an outline of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that reference symbols in the drawings attached to this outline are added to respective elements for convenience as examples in order to aid understanding, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure to modes illustrated in the drawings. Connection lines between blocks in the diagrams referred to in the following description include both unidirectional or bidirectional lines. Unidirectional arrows schematically show flow of main signals (data), but do not exclude bidirectionality. 
     The present disclosure, in an exemplary embodiment thereof as shown in  FIG. 1 , can be implemented in a configuration including a virtual network function management apparatus  10 A that implements a virtual network function using a virtual machine  31 A, and a virtualized infrastructure management apparatus  20 A. The virtualized infrastructure management apparatus  20 A creates a virtual machine in the virtualized infrastructure (NFVI) in accordance with an instruction from the virtual network function management apparatus  10 A. 
     More specifically, a virtual network function management apparatus  10 A includes an acquisition part (acquisition part  112 ) configured to acquire information related to performance of a physical machine allocated to the virtual network function. In addition, the virtual network function management apparatus  10 A includes a notification part (notification part  111 ) configured to transmit information related to the performance of the physical machine allocated to the virtual network function to a virtual machine that configures the virtual network function. 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a virtual machine creation instruction section  12 A instructs the virtualized infrastructure management apparatus  20 A to create a virtual machine (VM). The virtualized infrastructure management apparatus  20 A that has received the instruction selects an arbitrary physical machine, and creates a virtual machine (VM) using the resource. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the acquisition part  112  of the NFVI performance information notification section  11 A obtains information related to performance of a physical machine allocated to the virtual network function, from the virtualized infrastructure management apparatus  20 A. Next, the notification part  111  of the NFVI performance information notification section  11 A of  FIG. 2A  transmits, with respect to the created virtual machine  31 A, information related to performance of a physical machine to the created virtual machine  31 A. 
     The virtual machine  31 A changes a congestion determination threshold, based on the information related to the performance of the physical machine allocated to itself. The congestion determination threshold may be a signal reception processing upper limit threshold per unit time, an upper limit threshold of usage rate of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a network usage range upper limit threshold, or the like. 
     It is to be noted that the following may be considered with regard to method of changing the congestion determination threshold. First, in a case where performance of a physical machine is higher than a prescribed reference performance, the congestion determination threshold is changed to a value higher than the prescribed reference value. In other words, the congestion determination threshold set in the virtual machine  31 A is higher than the reference threshold set assuming a physical machine having the prescribed reference performance. For example, the virtual machine  31 A changes a signal reception processing upper limit threshold per unit time, which is a congestion determination threshold, from Xbps (bit per second) to Ybps that satisfies X&lt;Y. Thus, it is possible to efficiently use the capability of a physical machine to which the virtual machine is deployed. 
     Conversely, in a case where the performance of the physical machine is lower than a prescribed reference performance, the virtual machine  31 A changes the congestion determination threshold to a value lower than the prescribed reference value. In other words, the congestion determination threshold set in the virtual machine  31 A is lower than the reference threshold set assuming a physical machine having a prescribed reference performance. For example, the virtual machine  31 A changes an upper limit threshold of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), which is a congestion determination threshold, from x% to y% that satisfies x&gt;y. Thus, it is possible to handle, at an earlier time, there being a high probability of the occurrence of a state of exceeding the capability of a physical machine to which the virtual machine is deployed. 
     It is to be noted that a plurality of congestion determination thresholds may be changed at the same time. For example, the physical machine  31 A may perform a process in which both a signal reception processing upper limit threshold per unit time and an upper limit threshold of CPU usage rate are raised (lowered). The virtual machine  31 A may perform a process of raising one and lowering the other, among the signal reception processing upper limit threshold per unit time and the upper limit threshold of the CPU usage rate. 
     First Exemplary Embodiment 
     Continuing, a detailed description is given concerning a first exemplary embodiment applied to the present disclosure, in a MANO (Management &amp; Orchestration) of Non-Patent Literature  1 , making reference to the drawings.  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a virtual network function providing system in a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a configuration is shown in which a VIM (Virtualized infrastructure Manager)  100  that manages a virtualized infrastructure (NFVI), a VNFM  200  that manages a VNF operating in the NFVI, and an NFV Orchestrator  300  that performs management of orchestration and service for an overall system, are connected. 
     The VIM  100  corresponds to the virtualized infrastructure management apparatus, and in the MANO architecture that performs control of VNF, principally, is in charge of management of NFVI configured by a physical machine, storage, network resource or the like. In the present exemplary embodiment, a description is given in which, among the resources managed by the VIM  100 , a plurality of physical servers that are VM deployment destinations are present (Server A to Z), and in comparison with another physical server, there is 1 or more physical servers with at least 1 different performance value, such as a CPU, memory or the like. 
     The VNFM  200  corresponds to the virtual network function management apparatus, and information of at least a physical server among resources managed by the VIM is requested of the VIM  100 . The VNFM  200  refers to content of the information obtained from the VIM  100 , requests deployment of VNFc (VM) that is a component of a VNF in a specified physical server, and configures the VNF. The VNFM  200  provides resources and constraint information required by the VNF, to the NFV Orchestrator  300 . 
     The NFV Orchestrator  300  performs overall orchestration based on a service request from a user (OSS/BSS of  FIG. 9 ), or information provided by the VNFM  200 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the VNFM of the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a configuration is shown that is provided with an Or-Vnfm communication section  201 , a Vnf-Vnfm communication section  202 , a VM creation instruction section  203 , and a Vi-Vnfm communication section  204 . 
     The Or-Vnfm communication section  201  is used in reception of a VNF creation request from the NFV Orchestrator  300  and in provision of information to the NFV Orchestrator  300 . 
     The Vnf-Vnfm communication section  202 , besides being used in VNF control, functions as an NFVI performance information notification section  11 A that transmits NFVI performance information to a VNFc (VM) that configures a VNF. Here, the NFVI performance information corresponds to information related to performance of a physical machine allocated to the virtual network function. 
     The VM creation instruction section  203  instructs the VIM  100  to create a VM corresponding to the VNFc. The VM creation instruction section  203  receives performance information (below, denoted as “NFVI information”) of the NFVI in which the VM is created, from the VIM  100  that creates a VM, and transmits the information to the Vnf-Vnfm communication section  202 . It is to be noted that transfer of performance information of the NFVI may be provided via a dedicated application programming interface (API). 
     The Vi-Vnfm communication section  204  is used in transmission of a VM creation instruction of the VIM  100 , and in information exchange between the VNFM and VIM such as receiving a result thereof. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the VIM of the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 5 , a configuration is illustrated that is provided with a Vi-Vnfm communication section  101 , an Or-Vi communication section  102 , a VM creation section  103 , an NFVI performance transmission section  104 , an Nf-Vi communication section  105 , an NFVI information management section  106 , and an NFVI information storage section  107 . 
     The Vi-Vnfm communication section  101  is used in reception of a VM creation request from the VNFM or in provision of information to the VNFM. 
     The Or-Vi communication section  102  is used in reception of a VM creation request from the NFV Orchestrator  300  or in provision of information to the NFV Orchestrator  300 . 
     The VM creation section  103  creates a VM corresponding to a VNFc, in response to the request from the VNFM  200 . 
     The NFVI performance transmission section  104 , after creation of the VM by the VM creation section  103 , reads physical server information from the NFVI information storage section  107 , via the NFVI information management section  106 , and responds to the VNFM  200 . 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating an example of NFVI information provided to the VNFM  200  side from the VIM  100 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , the number of CPUs of a physical server (Server A), clock number, memory size, disk size, IO performance (Input/Output performance), number of NICs (Network Interface Card), NIC data transmission speed and the like are recorded. The VNFM  200  may transmit this type of NFVI information as NFVI performance information as it is to a VM, or may perform some type of processing. 
     An Nf-Vi communication section  105  is used in an instruction to the NFVI to create a VM, in state exchange, or the like. 
     An NFVI information management section  106  collects NFVI information and records it in an NFVI information storage section  107 . The NFVI information management section  106  extracts NFVI information from the NFVI information storage section  107 , in response to a request from the NFVI performance transmission section  104 , and performs transmission. It is to be noted that, as NFVI information stored in the NFVI information storage section  107 , in addition to specification information of each server shown in  FIG. 6 , state information of each server may be stored and provided to the VNFM  200 . 
     It is to be noted that the respective sections (processing means) of the VNFM to the VIM shown in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  may be implemented by a computer program that executes the abovementioned respective processing on a computer that configures these apparatuses, using hardware thereof. 
     Continuing, a detailed description is given concerning operations of the present exemplary embodiment, making reference to the drawings.  FIG. 7  is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of the first exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 7 , first the VNFM  200  instructs the VIM  100  to create a VNFc (VM) (step S 001 ). 
     The VIM  100  that receives the instruction selects a suitable physical server (NFVI) in accordance with the instruction from the VNFM  200 , and creates the VNFc (VM) (step S 002 ). 
     Next, the VIM  100  transmits the NFVI information creating the VNFc (VM) to the VNFM  200  (step S 003 ). 
     The VNFM  200  that receives the NFVI information transmits the NFVI performance information to the VNFc (VM) (step S 004 ). 
     The VM that receives the NFVI performance information changes the congestion determination threshold, in response to performance information of the physical server that it is operating itself shown by the NFVI performance information that was received (step S 005 ). 
     As described above, according to the present exemplary embodiment, it is possible to increase or decrease the congestion determination threshold of the VM, in response to the performance information of the physical server (NFVI) in which the VM is deployed. In this way, efficiency of resource usage of the physical server in which the VM is deployed is realized. 
     Second Exemplary Embodiment 
     Continuing, a detailed description is given concerning a second exemplary embodiment in which a modification is added to the abovementioned first exemplary embodiment, making reference to the drawings. A point of difference between the first exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment is the point of using a setting drive called a Config Drive in providing NFVI performance information to the VM; the configuration and operation of respective sections is otherwise the same. A description is given below centered on the point of difference. 
       FIG. 8  is a sequence diagram illustrating operations of the second exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. Operations of steps S 101  to S 103  in  FIG. 8  are the same as steps  5001  to  5003  of  FIG. 7  illustrating operations of the first exemplary embodiment, and a description is omitted. The VNFM  200  that receives the NFVI information writes the NFVI performance information to the setting drive (Config) (step S 104 ). 
     The VM receives the NFVI performance information via the setting drive (Config) connected at startup time, and changes the congestion determination threshold, in response to performance information of the physical server where it is operating itself shown by the NFVI performance information (step S 105 ). 
     As described above, it is possible to provide the NFVI performance information to the VM from the VNFM  200  via a direct or an indirect path. 
     A description has been given above of respective exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the abovementioned exemplary embodiments, and modifications, substitutions and adjustments may be added within a scope that does not depart from fundamental technical concepts of the disclosure. For example, network configurations, respective element configurations and message expression forms illustrated in the respective drawings are examples for the purpose of aiding understanding of the disclosure, and are not intended to limit the disclosure to configurations illustrated in the drawings. 
     For example, in the abovementioned first exemplary embodiment, 3 examples of the congestion determination threshold are shown: a signal reception processing upper limit threshold per unit time, an upper limit threshold of usage rate of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a network usage range upper limit threshold, but it is also possible to change a threshold or the like outside of these. For example, a parameter for congestion determination such as a timer value or counter (initial value or counter range) held by a VM may also be changed. For example, by raising an initial value or increasing a counter range, instead of processing to raise the congestion determination value, an effect equivalent to raising the congestion determination value is obtained. Therefore, by changing a parameter for congestion determination in response to performance of a physical machine, it is also possible to change a service characteristic of a VNF. 
     The physical server information (NFVI information) illustrated in  FIG. 6  determines, with regard to the VM, whether or not the performance of the physical server at a deployment destination is high in comparison to others, and may be such as to enable change of the congestion determination threshold, but is not limited to the mode illustrated in  FIG. 6 . For example, instead of various types of performance values on the physical server illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the physical server model number or product name may be transmitted to the VM side. In the same way, instead of various types of performance values on the physical server illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the VNFM  200  may respond with server rank information with various types of performance value of the physical server illustrated in  FIG. 6  separates by hierarchical rank. For example, the VNFM  200 , may respond with server rank information such as having a physical server with high performance as AAA and a physical server with low performance as CCC. 
     Finally, preferred modes of the present disclosure are summarized. 
     &lt;First Mode&gt; 
     (Refer to the method of controlling the virtual network function according to the first aspect described above.) 
     &lt;Second Mode&gt; 
     The method of controlling the virtual network function, wherein the virtual network function management apparatus writes information related to performance of the physical machine allocated to the virtual network function, to a prescribed setting drive, instead of the virtual network function management apparatus transmitting information related to the performance of the physical machine allocated to the virtual network function, to a virtual machine that configures a virtual network function; and wherein the virtual machine that configures the virtual network function can use a method of changing a congestion determination threshold set in the virtual machine, based on the performance of the physical machine read from the prescribed setting drive. 
     &lt;Third Mode&gt; 
     The method of controlling the virtual network function, wherein the congestion determination threshold may include at least one of a processing upper limit value for a received signal in the virtual machine, a processor usage rate, and an upper limit value of data transfer amount per unit time. 
     &lt;Fourth Mode&gt; 
     The method of controlling the virtual network function, wherein a configuration may be used in which, in a case where the performance of a physical machine is higher than a prescribed reference performance, the virtual machine changes the congestion determination threshold to a value higher than a reference value. 
     &lt;Fifth Mode&gt; 
     The method of controlling the virtual network function, wherein a configuration may be used in which, in a case where the performance of the physical machine is lower than a prescribed reference performance, the virtual machine changes the congestion determination threshold to a value lower than a reference value. 
     &lt;Sixth Mode&gt; 
     The method of controlling the virtual network function, wherein it is possible to change a parameter for congestion determination of the virtual machine, instead of the congestion determination threshold. 
     &lt;Seventh Mode&gt; 
     (Refer to the virtual network function management apparatus according to the second aspect described above.) 
     &lt;Eighth Mode&gt; 
     (Refer to the virtual network function providing system according to the third aspect described above.) 
     It is to be noted that the abovementioned seventh to eighth modes may be expanded with regard to the second to sixth modes, similar to the first mode. 
     It is to be noted that the various disclosures of the abovementioned Patent Literature and Non-Patent Literature are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Modifications and adjustments of exemplary embodiments and examples may be made within the bounds of the entire disclosure (including the scope of the claims) of the present disclosure, and also based on fundamental technological concepts thereof. Various combinations and selections of various disclosed elements (including respective elements of the respective claims, respective elements of the respective exemplary embodiments and examples, respective elements of the respective drawings and the like) are possible within the scope of the disclosure of the present disclosure. That is, the present disclosure clearly includes every type of transformation and modification that a person skilled in the art can realize according to the entire disclosure including the scope of the claims and to technological concepts thereof. In particular, with regard to numerical ranges described in the present specification, arbitrary numerical values and small ranges included in the relevant ranges should be interpreted to be specifically described even where there is no particular description thereof. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       10 A virtual network function management apparatus 
       11 A NFVI performance information notification section 
       12 A virtual machine creation instruction section 
       20 A virtualized infrastructure management apparatus 
       30 A physical machine (NFVI) 
       31 A virtual machine (VM) 
       100  VIM (virtualized infrastructure manager) 
       101  Vi-Vnfm communication section 
       102  Or-Vi communication section 
       103  VM creation section 
       104  NFVI performance transmission section 
       105  Nf-Vi communication section 
       106  NFVI information management section 
       107  NFVI information storage section 
       111  notification part 
       112  acquisition part 
       200  VNFM 
       201  Or-Vnfm communication section 
       202  Vnf-Vnfm communication section 
       203  VM creation instruction section 
     
       204 
     
     Vi-Vnfm communication section 
       300  NFV Orchestrator