Network service description model for VNF orchestration leveraging intent-based SDN interfaces

Abstract

Network Function Virtualization and Software Defined Networking promise to radically innovate the way network services are provisioned, especially in terms of dynamic and flexible service delivery. Although the problem of NFV/SDN orchestration is recently gaining increasing interest, the problem of how effectively realizing the as-a-service exposure of network functions and services remains essentially uninvestigated. Leveraging service-oriented principles and best practices, in this paper we propose a two-layer service-oriented description model and a logical architecture for network service provisioning distinguishing business and orchestration scopes. Our proposal takes into account ETSI specifications for NFV orchestration and intent-based abstractions for the SDN controller northbound interface. We present a preliminary validation of the proposed approach focusing on the orchestration layer, based on a Proof of Concept development and testing. Finally, we discuss future work.