An instrumentation and analytics framework for optimal and robust NFV deployment

• Published in: IEEE communications magazine Vol. 53; no. 2; pp. 126 - 133
• Main Authors: Veitch, Paul, McGrath, Michael J., Bayon, Victor
• Format: Magazine Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.02.2015; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Carriers; Diagnostic systems; Economics; Instrumentation; Measurement; Networks; Optimization; Resource allocation; Telecommunication services; Telecommunications industry; Virtual machine monitors; Virtualization; Wide area networks
• ISSN: 0163-6804; 1558-1896
• DOI: 10.1109/MCOM.2015.7045400

This article details a novel approach to the fine-tuning of carrier-grade virtualized network function deployments for both performance optimization and diagnostic purposes, using embedded instrumentation with an analytics framework. The work presented in this article is the output of a co-lab established between BT and Intel Labs Europe to investigate network-function-virtualization-related problems faced by traditional telecom operators. Results from comprehensive testing of virtual CDN and WAN acceleration use cases are presented. These results led to the development of a number of insights that will help network operators optimize the deployment of NFV on standard high volume servers. Significantly, it was found that the default configuration for some use cases resulted in suboptimal resource allocation and consumption. Consequently, opportunities exist for carriers to fine-tune their NFV deployments from both the technical and economic perspectives using approaches such as embedded instrumentation.