Transparent orchestration and management of composite network functions
A system that manages a network of network elements receives a network topology of the network elements, where the network elements include a first type of network elements and a second type of network elements. The system creates a first network function (“NF”) group that corresponds to the first type of network elements, and creates a second NF group that corresponds to the second type of network elements. The system implements a functionality of the first NF group on a physical network function component. The system implements a functionality of the second NF group as a virtual machine (“VM”). The system then forms a composite network function (“CNF”) using the first NF group and the second NF group. The CNF can be centrally managed.
1. A method of managing a network comprising a plurality of network elements, the method comprising:
receiving a network topology of the network elements, the network elements comprising a first type of network elements and a second type of network elements;
creating a first network function (NF) group corresponding to the first type of network elements;
creating a second NF group corresponding to the second type of network elements;
implementing a functionality of the first NF group on a physical network function component;
implementing a functionality of the second NF group as a virtual machine (VM); and
forming a composite network function (CNF) comprising the first NF group and the second NF group.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising centrally managing the CNF.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the managing comprises receiving key performance indicators (KPIs) from each VM.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the managing further comprises adding an additional VM to the CNF in response to the KPIs.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein each instance of the second type of network elements comprises a high availability pair.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the CNF comprises a plurality of verticals, wherein each vertical is mapped to a distinct data center.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein a first data center is at a first geographic location, and a second data center is at a second geographic location that is geographically different than the first geographic location.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the CNF comprises a plurality of layers, wherein each layer comprises a plurality of network elements, and a distinct template deploys the network elements of each layer.
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to manage a network comprising a plurality of network elements, the managing comprising:
receiving a network topology of the network elements, the network elements comprising a first type of network elements and a second type of network elements;
creating a first network function (NF) group corresponding to the first type of network elements;
creating a second NF group corresponding to the second type of network elements;
implementing a functionality of the first NF group on a physical network function component;
implementing a functionality of the second NF group as a virtual machine (VM); and
forming a composite network function (CNF) comprising the first NF group and the second NF group.
10. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , the managing further comprising centrally managing the CNF.
11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the managing comprises receiving key performance indicators (KPIs) from each VM.
12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the managing further comprises adding an additional VM to the CNF in response to the KPIs.
13. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein each instance of the second type of network elements comprises a high availability pair.
14. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the CNF comprises a plurality of verticals, wherein each vertical is mapped to a distinct data center.
15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14 , wherein a first data center is at a first geographic location, and a second data center is at a second geographic location that is geographically different than the first geographic location.
16. The computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein the CNF comprises a plurality of layers, wherein each layer comprises a plurality of network elements, and a distinct template deploys the network elements of each layer.
17. A network management system for managing a plurality of network elements, the system comprising:
a processor executing instructions to:
receive a network topology of the network elements, the network elements comprising a first type of network elements and a second type of network elements;
create a first network function (NF) group corresponding to the first type of network elements;
create a second NF group corresponding to the second type of network elements;
implement a functionality of the first NF group on a physical network function component;
implement a functionality of the second NF group as a virtual machine (VM); and
form a composite network function (CNF) comprising the first NF group and the second NF group.
18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the CNF comprises a plurality of verticals, wherein each vertical is mapped to a distinct data center.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein a first data center is at a first geographic location, and a second data center is at a second geographic location that is geographically different than the first geographic location.
20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the CNF comprises a plurality of layers, wherein each layer comprises a plurality of network elements, and a distinct template deploys the network elements of each layer.