Page 135 - 5G Basics - Core Network Aspects

Core network aspects 1

11 LINP management functions

LINP management functions manage, control, and monitor LINPs, in collaboration with virtual resource
management functions, LINP operator functions, and service deployment functions. They include resource
orchestration function, LINP configuration functions, LINP monitoring and fault detection function, and
authorization functions.

11.1 Resource coordination function
Resource coordination function chooses specific virtual resources among available ones to constitute a LINP,
and create a mapping between them. For this purpose, the function examines properties of virtual resources,
such as bandwidth and memory size that reflects properties of constituent physical resources, and coordinate
mappings.
Resource coordination function may change an already created mapping, when needed or appropriate. For
example, when a malfunctioning virtual resource is detected, or when a new virtual resource is detected, the
mapping involving it can be changed.

11.2 LINP configuration functions

LINP configuration functions enable service deployment functions to deploy service on an LINP. Besides this,
the functions configure a LINP in the following ways:

− Binding: Binding function binds virtual link and virtual node resources to a LINP to which the virtual
resources are allocated, upon receiving a request from LINP operation functions or from service
deployment functions. As a result of binding, the LINP becomes ready to be activated;
− Unbinding: Unbinding function unbinds virtual link and virtual node resources from an LINP to which
the virtual resources are bound, upon receiving a request from LINP operation functions or from
service deployment functions;
− Service activation: Service activation function starts providing service on a LINP. Examples of service
activation include running virtual machines (VMs) and enabling gateway functions. In this process,
the functions may examine whether the LINP is functioning properly. Service activation is initiated
upon receiving request from LINP operator functions or from service deployment functions. Service
activation has to be preceded by binding;

− Service deactivation: Service deactivation function stops providing service on a LINP. Examples of
service deactivation include stopping VMs and disabling gateway functions. Service activation is
initiated upon receiving request from LINP operator functions or from service deployment functions.
Service deactivation has to be preceded by unbinding.

11.3 LINP monitoring and fault detection function
LINP monitoring and fault detection function monitors and collects status, performance, and other kinds of
statistics of LINPs. The function also detects performance degradations, failures, and other kinds of anomalies
of LINPs. When that happens, the function notifies the detected events to virtual resource management
functions to deal with the problem.

11.4 Authorization functions
Authorization functions provide the following:
− LINP operator authorization: LINP operation authorization function authorizes LINP operators to
access LINPs. The function can also be used to authorize LINP exchangers;
− Service developer authorization: Service developer authorization function authorizes service
developers to access LINPs;
− User terminal access administration: User terminal access administration function administers
information for controlling accesses from end-users to LINPs.

125