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The Ribbon Virtual Network Function Manager (VNFM) is an ETSI standards-aligned virtualized application you can use to orchestrate and manage the lifecycle of distributed SBC deployment in an OpenStack environment. VNFM provides an alternative to the use of Heat templates to deploy media SBC (M-SBC) and signaling SBC (S-SBC) clusters in 1:1 HA configurations.

VNFM processes a VNF Descriptor (VNFD) file to define the main properties and the resources required to deploy a VNF. The required SBC VNFD file is provided in a Cloud Service Archive (CSAR) package file in the .csar file for the type of SBC cluster you are deploying. VNFD files cannot be edited; during orchestration, VNFM will prompt for allowed customizations such as the system name and associated EMS system details.

Prerequisites

Prior to using VNFM to instantiate SBC VNFs, make sure you have:

  • Downloaded the required Cloud Service Archive (CSAR) package file and .qcow2 file for the SBC system you plan to deploy. Refer to the latest release notes.
  • Prepared the OpenStack cloud environment in which the VNF will be deployed. Refer to Pre-Instantiation Requirements of OpenStack.
  • Installed VNFM and prepared it for operation. This includes adding clouds, tenants, and users to VNFM. Refer to VNFM Documentation for more information.
  • Created the clusters you will use to manage and configure your SBC clusters in the EMS. Refer to Creating an SBC SWe Cluster in EMS documentation.

Onboarding the SBC CSAR package file

The CSAR file required for your deployment must be onboarded to VNFM before you can orchestrate a new SBC cluster. Make sure the CSAR file is in a location accessible to VNFM. 

  1. Log into VNFM with credentials provided by the VNFM administrator.

  2. Click Settings > VNF Onboarding. The VNF Onboarding window opens.

    VNF Onboarding Window

  3. In the Upload the CSAR files area, click Browse to open a file window where you can locate and select the CSAR file.
  4. Click Upload. The package is added to the VNFs Available to Onboard list.
  5. Click Onboard adjacent to the package.
  6. Confirm the onboard procedure when prompted. The VNF package is now listed in the Your Onboarded VNFs list.

Deploying SBC VNFs

After the CSAR file is onboarded the SBC cluster can be deployed. Note that you must have previously created an OpenStack Glance image using the SBC application software .qcow2 file. Refer to Creating a Glance Image within the pre-instantiation requirements for OpenStack.   

  1. Log into VNFM if necessary.
  2. Click VNF Deployment. The Deploy Virtual Network Functions window opens.
  3. Click Deploy adjacent to the VNF you want to deploy. The VNF Deployment Wizard window opens to the VNF Config tab.
  4. Enter a unique name for the instance in VNF Instance Name.
  5. Select a cloud from the Cloud Name drop-down list. The Tenant Name list appears.

  6. Select a tenant for the instance in the Tenant Name drop-down list. 

    Note:

    This tab also includes a Reuse Pre-allocated IPs check box which enables using the VNFM pre-allocated floating IP feature. Refer to Using the Preallocated IP VNFM feature for more information an procedures.

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