NFV service dynamicity with a DevOps approach: insights from a use-case realization

This experience paper describes the process of leveraging the NFV orchestration platform built in the EU FP7 project UNIFY to deploy a dynamic network service exemplified by an elastic router. Elasticity is realized by scaling dataplane resources as a function of traffic load. To achieve this, the service includes a custom scaling logic and monitoring capabilities. An automated monitoring framework not only triggers elastic scaling, but also a troubleshooting process which detects and analyzes anomalies, pro-actively aiding both dev and ops personnel. Such a DevOps-inspired approach enables a shorter update cycle to the running service. We highlight multiple learnings yielded throughout the prototype realization, focussing on the functional areas of service decomposition and scaling; programmable monitoring; and automated troubleshooting. Such practical insights will contribute to solving challenges such as agile deployment and efficient resource usage in future NFV platforms.