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NFV Analytics

Zen NFV analytics provides an end-to-end view of all services across the hybrid network, including the performance of the NFV Infrastructure layer itself.

Zen NFV Analytics for Telecoms

 

Industry Needs

With the promise of reducing capital expenditure for Telcos and enabling much faster service introduction times, NFV development is a priority for most CSPs. Since the original ETSI specification work in 2013, developments have progressed in the direction of multilayer orchestration. The intent today is to apply the principles of NFV orchestration not only to the deployment of Virtualised Network Functions (VNFs), but also to legacy devices and the OSS/BSS layer.

For most CSPs the current reality is a complex hybrid network, with the co-existence of legacy physical devices, some virtualised network functions (VNFs), and the existing OSS/BSS layer. Each operator is at a different stage of their NFV journey, some with just a handful of VNFs and some with their entire Core network architecture now virtualised. However, with a complete transition to an entirely virtualised network some way off, CSPs now need to manage the existing mix, with the flexibility to continually develop it whilst also delivering a consistent, high quality service to subscribers.

 

Zen NFV analytics solution

SysMech Zen Vision DiagramZen NFV analytics solution has been designed to support CSPs throughout every stage of their journey to a fully virtualised environment. During the first stages of NFV transformation, CSPs must monitor both physical and virtual environments side-by-side as their hybrid network evolves. To support this, virtual infrastructure monitoring is incorporated into the wider Zen Operational Intelligence implementation, providing CSPs with an end-to-end view of all services across the hybrid network, as well as the performance of the Network Function Virtualisation Infrastructure (NFVI) layer itself.

Zen NFV analytics solution mediates data from both legacy Element Management Systems (EMS) and the Network Function Virtualisation Infrastructure (NFVI) layer. This data is stored in a centralise data repository, and visualised to provide network engineers service performance data insights as well as infrastructure performance metrics.

As CSPs progress further on their NFV journey, their OSS/BSS software must support automation and orchestration via direct communication with the NFV orchestrator (NFVO). The Zen NFV analytics solution has been architected in a service orientated manner with highly flexible functionality to permit direct input and output to and from the NFVO. This enables two-way automatic actions such as the integration of a new performance management parameter, or automatic scale-up/scale-down of data interfaces.

Zen’s cross data correlation capabilities also means the solution can not only provide the NFVO with simple metrics, but also intelligent predictive network insights. This provisioning of correlated network insight, for example under or over utilised elements and SLA criteria, allows the NFVO to automatically respond to network needs at an accelerated pace.

 

 

Key Features & Benefits

 

Optimise CAPEX spend based on infrastructure usage

By monitoring long term infrastructure performance and usage trends, CSPs can optimise their capital expenditure on Network Function Virtualisation Infrastructure (NFVI). Network engineers can easily identify peak usage times and hence maximum requirements. Historical trend analysis also allows CSPs to predict the need for hardware expansion based on increased service usage and uptake by subscribers.

 

Monitor the performance of a hybrid network from one central platform

By mediating data from both physical networks and virtual networks, CSPs have complete visibility of the end-to-end service performance, regardless of the technology and infrastructure used. This means the Zen NFV analytics solution can adapt as new services are added to the virtualised environment.

 

Top NFV Analytics Use Cases

Take a look at the specific use cases below to see how the Zen NFV analytics solution is actively being developed in partnership with tier 1 network operators.


Virtual Infrastructure Operational Overview

As with any service, it is essential that those running in a virtual environment offer continual availability and optimised performance. The virtual infrastructure operational overview dashboard provides a snapshot of the real-time health, workload, risk and waste of the infrastructure. From here network engineers can easily identify any VNFs at risk of underperforming due to infrastructure capacity.

 

    vCSCF performance drill down dashboard

    With Zen, network engineers can drill down to an individual Virtual Call Session Control Function (vCSCF). They can then visualise NFVI performance alongside the actual VNF performance and identify any service performance degradation being caused by NFVI under performance.