Managing virtual network functions

To manage a virtual network function, do one of the following:

• On the administrator portal, go to the Catalog section, and in the Catalog pane, click the virtual network function.
• When creating or editing a network service template in the topology, click the virtual network function.
• When creating or editing a network service in the topology, click the virtual network function.

Virtual network function settings are displayed on the following tabs:

• Flavours contains flavours of the virtual network function.
• Connection points contains external connection points of the virtual network function.
• VNF settings contains basic settings of the virtual network function.
• Placement contains placement settings of the virtual network function. You can place a virtual network function in a data center or on a uCPE device. This tab is displayed if you clicked the virtual network function when creating or editing a network service.

The following tabs are displayed if you clicked the virtual network function in the topology of a deployed network service:

• VDU management is a table of VDUs that are part of the virtual network function. Information about VDUs is displayed in the following columns of the table:
  • Name is the name of the VDU.
  • Instance name is the ID of the VDU instance.
  • Mgmt IP is the IP address that the management subnet has assigned to the VDU.
  • vCPU is the number of virtual CPU cores assigned to the VDU.
  • RAM is the amount of RAM in megabytes assigned to the VDU.
  • Disk is the amount of disk space in gigabytes assigned to the VDU.
  • Status is the status of the VDU:
    • ACTIVE means the VDU is operating normally.
    • ERROR means the VDU encountered an error.
    • HARD_REBOOT means a hard reboot of the VDU is in progress.
    • PAUSED means the VDU is paused.
    • REBOOT means a soft reboot of the VDU is in progress.
    • SHUTOFF means the VDU is stopped.
    • SUSPENDED means The VDU is suspended.
• Monitoring contains monitoring results of the virtual network function.
• Problems contains problems that occurred during the operation of the virtual network function. In case of any problems, a red exclamation mark is displayed next to the tab.

Additionally, the tabs that you specified in the user_configurations section of the VNF descriptor may be displayed.

Selecting the flavour of a virtual network function

You can specify flavours in the flavours section of the VNF descriptor.

To select a virtual network function flavour:

1. Navigate to the topology in one of the following ways:
   • Start creating or editing a network service template.
   • Start creating or editing a network service.
2. Click the virtual network function for which you want to select a flavour.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

3. Select a flavour for the virtual network function.
4. In the upper part of the settings area, click Save to save virtual network function settings.

Configuring external connection points of a virtual network function

You can specify external connection points of a virtual network function in the external_connections section of the VNF descriptor.

To configure external connection points of the virtual network function:

1. Navigate to the topology in one of the following ways:
   • Start creating or editing a network service template.
   • Start creating or editing a network service.
2. Click the virtual network function for which you want to configure external connection points.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

3. Select the Connection points tab.

   This displays the external connection points of the virtual network function.

4. In the Type drop-down list, select how you want to assign an IPv4 prefix to the external connection point:
   • DHCP reservation to use DHCP to assign an IPv4 prefix to the external mount point. If you select this option, do the following:
     1. In the IP field, enter the IPv4 address that DHCP assigns to the external connection point.
     2. In the Mask field, enter the subnet mask that DHCP assigns to the external connection point.
   • AUTO to automatically assign an IPv4 prefix to the external connection point. This is the default setting.
5. In the Description field, enter a brief description of the external connection point.
6. If you want to designate the connection point as the trunk port, select the Trunk check box. This check box is cleared by default.
7. In the upper part of the settings area, click Save to save virtual network function settings.

Basic settings of a virtual network function

To edit basic settings of the virtual network function:

1. Navigate to the topology in one of the following ways:
   • Start creating or editing a network service template.
   • Start creating or editing a network service.
2. Click the virtual network function for which you want to configure basic settings.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

3. Select the VNF settings tab.

   Basic settings of the virtual network function are displayed.

4. In the Name field, enter the name of the virtual network function.
5. In the Description field, enter a brief description of the virtual network function.
6. In the Order field, enter the sequence number for deploying the virtual network function on the OpenStack cloud platform. When you deploy a network service, the virtual network function with the lowest number is the first to be deployed. If none of the virtual network functions added to the network service topology have a sequence number specified, all virtual network functions are deployed simultaneously.
7. In the upper part of the settings area, click Save to save virtual network function settings.

Hosting the virtual network function in a data center and on a uCPE device

To place a virtual network function in a data center or on a uCPE device.

1. Navigate to the topology by starting to create or edit a network service.
2. Click the virtual network function that you want to place in a data center or on a uCPE device.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

3. Select the Placement tab.

   Placement settings of the virtual network function are displayed.

4. In the Select placement type list, select one of the following values:
   • Data center to place the virtual network function in the specified data center. If you select this option, do the following:
     1. In the Data center field, enter the name of the created data center. As you type the name, you are prompted to select a data center from a drop-down list.
     2. In the VIM field, enter the name of the deployed VIM for the virtual network function. As you type the name, you are prompted to select a VIM from a drop-down list.
   • uCPE to place the virtual network function on the specified uCPE device. If you select this option, in the uCPE field, enter the name of the uCPE device. As you type the name, you are prompted to select an uCPE device from a drop-down list.
5. In the upper part of the settings area, click Save to save virtual network function settings.

Stopping or starting a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it

You can stop a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it to free up the computational resources of the OpenStack cloud platform.

When you start a virtual network function or VDU, it begins consuming computational resources again. This restarts the processes running on the virtual network function or VDU.

To stop or start a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. If you want to stop or start the virtual network function, in the upper part of the settings area, click the Management → Power → Stop VNF or Start VNF.
5. If you want to stop or start a VDU that is part of the virtual network function:
   1. Select the VDU management tab.

      A table of VDUs is displayed.

   2. Click Management → Power → Stop VDU or Start VDU next to the VDU that you want to stop or start.
6. In the confirmation window, click Apply.

The virtual network function or its VDU is stopped or started.

Pausing or unpausing a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it

You can pause a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it to pause processes running on it. However, the virtual network function or VDU continues to consume the computational resources of the OpenStack cloud platform. When you unpause a virtual network function or VDU, processes running on it are resumed.

To pause or unpause a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Pause or unpause the virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it:
   • If you want to pause or unpause a virtual network function, in the upper part of the settings area, click Management → Pause VNF → Power or Unpause VNF.
   • If you want to pause or unpause a VDU that is part of the virtual network function:
     1. Select the VDU management tab.

        A table of VDUs is displayed.

     2. Click Management → Power → Pause VDU or Unpause VDU.
5. In the confirmation window, click Apply.

The virtual network function or its VDU is paused or unpaused.

Suspending or unsuspending a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it

You can suspend a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it to free up the computational resources of the OpenStack cloud platform. This saves the state of the virtual network function or VDU to the disk of the OpenStack cloud platform. When you unsuspend the virtual network function or VDU, it begins consuming computational resources again. Processes running on a virtual network function or VDU are resumed from the point at which its state was saved.

To suspend or unsuspend a virtual network function or its VDU:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Suspend or unsuspend a virtual network function or its VDU:
   • If you want to suspend or unsuspend a virtual network function, in the upper part of the settings area, click Management → Suspend VNF → Power or Resume suspended VNF.
   • If you want to suspend or unsuspend a VDU that is part of the virtual network function:
     1. Select the VDU management tab.

        A table of VDUs is displayed.

     2. Click Management → Power → Suspend VDU or Resume suspended VDU next to the VDU that you want to suspend or unsuspend.
5. In the confirmation window, click Apply.

The virtual network function or its VDU is suspended or unsuspended.

Soft rebooting a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it

When a virtual network function is soft rebooted, all active VDUs in it are restarted. To soft reboot a virtual network function, at least one VDU in it must not be suspended.

To perform a soft reboot of a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Perform a soft reboot of a virtual network function or its VDU:
   • If you want to perform a soft reboot of the virtual network function, in the upper part of the settings area, click Management → Power → Soft reboot VNF.
   • If you want to soft reboot a VDU that is part of the virtual network function:
     1. Select the VDU management tab.

        A table of VDUs is displayed.

     2. Click Management → Power → Soft reboot VDU next to the VDU that you want to soft reboot.
5. In the confirmation window, click Apply.

The virtual network function or its VDU is soft rebooted.

Hard rebooting of a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it

A hard reboot imitates turning power on and off again. We recommend that performing a hard reboot only if soft reboot is not successful.

To perform a hard reboot of a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. To perform a hard reboot of a virtual network function or its VDU:
   • If you want to perform a hard reboot of the virtual network function, in the upper part of the settings area, click Management → Power → Hard reboot VNF.
   • If you want to hard reboot a VDU that is part of the virtual network function:
     1. Select the VDU management tab.

        A table of VDUs is displayed.

     2. Click Management → Power → Hard reboot VDU next to the VDU that you want to hard reboot.
5. In the confirmation window, click Apply.

A hard reboot of the VNF or its VDU is performed.

Redeploying a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it

Redeployment of a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it may result in short-term interruptions or temporary loss of function. When planning and coordinating redeployment activities, we recommend taking into account your organization's circumstances to minimize the disruptions.

To redeploy a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. To redeploy a virtual network function or its VDU:
   • If you want to redeploy the virtual network function, in the upper part of the configuration area, click Management → Redeploy VNF.
   • If you want to redeploy a VDU that is part of the virtual network function:
     1. Select the VDU management tab.

        A table of VDUs is displayed.

     2. Click Management → Redeploy VDU next to the VDU that you want to redeploy.
5. In the confirmation window, click Confirm.

Redeployment of the virtual network function or its VDU begins, which may take several minutes. You can interrupt the deployment by clicking Abort deploy.

Auto-healing a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it

You can auto-heal a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it, even if you have disabled auto-healing of the network service to whose topology this virtual network function has been added.

To auto-heal a virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Perform auto-healing of the virtual network function or its VDU.
   • If you want to auto-heal the virtual network function, in the upper part of the settings area, click Management → Healing VNF.
   • If you want to auto-heal a VDU that is part of the virtual network function:
     1. Select the VDU management tab.

        A table of VDUs is displayed.

     2. Click Management → Healing VDU next to the VDU that you want to auto-heal.
5. In the confirmation window, click Apply.

Auto-healing of the virtual network function or a VDU that is part of it begins.

Managing VDU snapshots

To view the table of VDU snapshots, click the virtual network function in the topology of the deployed network service, select the VDU management tab, and click Management → Snapshot next to the VDU.

Information about VDU snapshots is displayed in the following columns of the table:

• Name is the name of the VDU snapshot.
• Created at is the date and time when the VDU snapshot was created.
• Size is the size of the VDU snapshot in bytes.
• Description is a brief description of the VDU snapshot.
• Management contains actions that can be performed on the VDU snapshot.

Creating a VDU snapshot

We do not recommend storing snapshots for a long time because their existence reduces the performance of the VDU.

To take a VDU snapshot:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function that includes the VDU.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Select the VDU management tab.

   A table of VDUs is displayed.

5. Click Power → Snapshot next to the VDU for which you want to create a snapshot.

   This opens a window with the table of VDU snapshots.

6. In the Name field, enter a name for the VDU snapshot.
7. In the Description field, enter a brief description of the VDU snapshot.
8. Click Create.

A snapshot of the VDU is created and displayed in the table.

Restoring VDU settings using a snapshot

To restoring VDU settings using a snapshot:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function that includes the VDU.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Select the VDU management tab.

   A table of VDUs is displayed.

5. Click Power → Snapshot next to the VDU whose settings you want to restore using the snapshot.

   This opens a window with the table of VDU snapshots.

6. Click Management → Revert next to the snapshot which you want to use to restore the VDU settings.
7. In the confirmation window, click Revert.

The VDU settings are restored in accordance with the snapshot.

Editing a VDU snapshot

To edit a VDU snapshot:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function that includes the VDU.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Select the VDU management tab.

   A table of VDUs is displayed.

5. Click Power → Snapshot next to the VDU whose snapshot you want to edit.

   This opens a window with the table of VDU snapshots.

6. Click Management → Edit next to the VDU snapshot that you want to edit.
7. This opens a window; in that window, if necessary, edit the name and/or description of the VDU snapshot.
8. Click Save.

The VDU snapshot is modified and updated in the table.

Deleting a VDU snapshot

Deleted VDU snapshots cannot be restored.

To delete a VDU snapshot:

1. On the self-service portal, go to the Catalog menu section.

   The network service management page is displayed.

2. In the Network services pane, click the deployed network service to whose topology the virtual network function has been added.

   The topology is displayed.

3. Click the virtual network function that includes the VDU.

   The settings area is displayed in the lower part of the page. You can expand the settings area to fill the entire page by clicking the expand icon . By default, the Flavours tab is selected, which displays flavours.

4. Select the VDU management tab.

   A table of VDUs is displayed.

5. Click Power → Snapshot next to the VDU whose snapshot you want to delete.

   This opens a window with the table of VDU snapshots.

6. Click Management → Delete next to the VDU snapshot that you want to delete.
7. In the confirmation window, click Delete.

The VDU snapshot is deleted and is no longer displayed in the table.