Issue description

Network elements provisioning is one of the most critical functions in network management and operations support. Manual provisioning is almost always slower and more error prone than automated provisioning performed by a Network Management System.

The majority of modern networks are fairly complex in nature with multiple layers, functions, and locations. Utilizing SDN provides a more stream-lined approach, but at the same time brings additional networking layers and requirements such as API-based integration and management.

Adding or changing a networking configuration in such an environment becomes a complicated task, with multiple networking elements and functions needing change or addition at the same time.

Solution

Netlayer’s NFVgrid provides network orchestration functions for SDN-based and non-SDN (traditional) networks. Utilizing its visibility of the networking assets under its management, it acts as needed to correctly provision on multiple layers – both networking and software.

Using auto-discovery, NFVgrid first gains then keeps full visibility of the network under its management. It utilizes interfaces to network elements (either direct or though management systems/APIs) and SDN-based elements if SDN is part of the network architecture.

NFVgrid then uses its provisioning engine to automatically determine what elements of the network require changes/updates in order for the particular provisioning order to be executed. Provisioning orders can involve either single networking elements or functions, or multiple NEs in separate locations.

Functions

• Provisioning order decomposition. Determines the piece-parts of the order, what parts of the network, networking functions, and systems are involved and how to provision specific systems for the entire provisioning order to be processed;
• South-bound interfaces. Supports API, NetConf, CLI, SNMP protocols. Pre-integrated with proprietary network management protocols;
• North-bound interfaces. Provides a rich set of Restful APIs for provisioning and status management;
• User Interface. Full-scope UI with orchestration, monitoring, and analytical functions;
• Network configuration management. NFVgrid stores the existing networking configuration in its DB as well as the configuration change history. Manual changes to the configuration done directly to NEs are collected and stored as well;
• Full multi-tenant support. Multiple tenants can be served from one instance of NFVgrid. Tenants don’t see other networks’ assets, actions, etc. There is total separation between tenants;
• Hardware NEs as well as NFVs are supported. NFVgrid efficiently works with both hardware network elements and virtualized networking functions;
• Templates-based import and export. In addition to UI and API, orchestration can be done using templates. Existing configurations can be exported as templates as well.

Scenarios

• Automated provisioning of a single NE/VNF;
• Automated provisioning of multiple NE/VNFs (chained orchestration);
• Multi-location provisioning;
• Automated redundancy provisioning (Active-Active, Active-Stand By);
• Automated Disaster Recovery and Geo-distributed scalability provisioning.